Since I have way too much time on my hands, I squander hours checking out the used gun racks in gun shops. Last year, I was in a favorite shop and the clerk asked if I wanted to buy a sporterized Springfield. I agreed to look at the gun. Turns out it was a 1903-A4 sniper with a chopped stock. I got it for $125 and then told them what they had sold to me. They were OK with the transaction. When I got home I dropped it into an original stock and put the rifle in the vault. I have only ever seen two 1903-A4s and now have one.

Some years ago another shop offered me a Japanese Type I with sling and bayonet. Seems a widow had brought in the rifle when her husband (who was a WWII veteran) passed away. They had a hang tag price of $85 and I snapped it up.
Nothing remarkable has been found since, but I keep looking. Any other stories out there? All the best...
Gil

Gil,
About 10 years ago,I had a nice Eddystone 1917 Enfield given to me,but the last surplus military rifles that I bought were from the DCM. The last two are a 1903A3 Springfield for 19 dollars and a M1 Garand for 97 dollars.
My best deal was for a Rockola 30 Carbine(from the Marine who brought it home)for a hundred 30'06 ball rounds.(he could not find any ammunition for it,at that time)I was a handloader,so I took it off of his hands.
Frank

G M ! Some advice about buying and getting goods ! Keep it to yourself ! Don't tell the people in the stores that you got such a great deal or that what you just bought from them is worth more ! They will then be looking at their books and boost their prices on you and others ! Leave the shoe salesman along with the idea that all you bought is a cut down old Army rifle, and you will find more deals like that ! I learned this from used book stores and gun shops where i used to buy ! They would watch what i was buying and what type of article and then they would latter boost their price knowing or thinking that i would buy these thinks at their higher prices ! SO DON'T BRAG to the shop keepers ! JAGG

Absolutely, loose lips sinks ships.

I have been dealing at this shop since 1969 and know the staff very well. They call me when something comes in that might appeal to me. They have little or no interest in military surplus arms. I will keep your advice in mind. All the best...
Gil

Gents,

Several years back I saw a No.5 Enfield sitting by itself in the corner, with its bolt open. I asked the pawn shopkeeper why it was over there by itself, and if it was for sale. She told me yes it was, but the bolt was broken, and the thing wouldn't close. I asked to see it anyway.

Someone had not screwed the bolt face back on the bolt all the way, and I saw that if I removed the bolt, and screwed it all the way back on, it would work.

"How much for this broken rifle?" Forty dollars, U.S. I eased that lady's pain with my lunch money for the week.

I reckon even a blind sow can find an acorn, once and awhile.

Steve

WH35 ! Your not a blind sow ! That lady only paid 5.00 for that broken rifle or less ! I have seen 2 1903 rifles come into stores and the widow only got 25.00 for them both . And 25.00 for a U.S. M1 carbine from another widow at a different store ! I would have people at shows ask me what they had on the table before i paid them , and then they wouldn't sell the item ! So i have become the dumb quite buyer ,instead of a no gun teacher ! JAGG

I once spotted a heavily customized bolt action rifle on the used rack. Engraved bolt handle, classy engraving in a few areas with tiny acorns and oak leaves instead of checkering. Store Owner told me he did all the work for client who never came to pay balance of project cost. When he tried to contact his client, he was told look the guy had died in a motorcycle accident. Widow said to ahead and sell the rifle for whatever you can get. So he had this beauty of a German Mauser in 8 X 57 for price of balance of project cost.

I bought rifle for $325. in 1989 then sold it in 1992 for $750. A good deal.
TR

I'll give you a solid $150 bucks for that a4 sir!!!!

:)

I know a man who got a "30 Carbine" for $150, along with a lot of 8 rd "stripper clips", back in 1982, in S Cal. He responded to an ad in the paper, ended up with a sweet little "tanker" Garand.

My very fortunate find is not of a military surplus nature but a modern collectable. Last month I was at our small local gun show and saw two Marlin rifles laying on a table. I recognized one as a 336CS and the other one made my heart begin to pound. It had a 2/3 magazine but the barrel diameter was too small for a .444 or a 45-70. Visions of .356 and .375 danced in my brain as I picked up the rifle and read the caliber stamping on the barrel, not realizing that my palms were beginning to sweat. No, it was not a .356 but it was a .375 in 98+% condition. There was no price tag on it so I asked the dealer "how much". He responded $325 plus tax. I was trying not to reveal my excitement as I continued to examine the M375, realizing that it was either mispriced or he thought that I was holding the 336CS. I was fearful that if I said "I'll take it" he may become suspicious, so I said "too much, I'll give you $300 including tax". He exibited a painfull facial expression then said that he would take $300 plus tax. I returned the painful expression and said "well, OK".

I filled-out the form 4473 then the dealer called in for the background check. I paid him $327.00 in cash and he began preparing a bill of sale. It was then that he realized that he had sold an M375 for the price of a 336CS. This time his painful facial expression was for real as he said that he can't sell the M375 that cheap. I told him that "a deal is a deal", that I had paid for the rifle, passed the FBI background check and that I OWNED THE RIFLE. He sadly agreed and handed me the bill of sale and the M375.

As I turned to walk away, a feeling of guilt overcame me. I turned around, walked back to the dealer's table and told him to refund me the $327 and I would return the rifle to him because I felt that I had taken advantage of him knowing that I bought the rifle at far below market value due to confusion on his part. He told me that he had been in the retail gun business for over 30 years and no one had ever offered to let him off the hook like that. He reached under the table, came up with a box of Big Bore .375 Winchester ammunition, and told me to take my rifle and shoot it in good health. We shared good-byes and parted company.

We gun owners share a special bond called the "Second Ammendment". We MUST fight for it like it is the only freedom remaining on Earth.

JJ

Bought an 8mm Saimese mauser for 100.00.
Sold it for 200.00 a couple of years later.
Was going to build a .45-70 but things change.........

Nitro -

I like your style, Man! :D

$50.00 for a Chaffy Reese {spelling } US 1884 Springfield bolt action US Army rifle with all of it's original parts ! The jerk was lieing and trying to rip me off while he was selling it to me in a bargain ! He told me that i had to buy it from him and that the money was for a little old lady ! He realy got it from a friend of his at work for $25.00 who was trying to rip him off , because they couldn't find any ammo for it ! Bob or Sue or anything but JAGG