- Joined
- Oct 17, 2014
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I was watching this auction all week and wanted to point out something that I found in picture #19. I actually missed the auction closing because I wanted to wait until the last minute and had an issue with my smart phone. But the selling bid is pretty close to what I would have felt comfortable paying.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=455282944
The stock looks correct but does not have the inspector cartouche.
What had me on the fence about paying more than 1k, is picture #19.
If you look at the receiver picture (#19) and directly right of it, you can see part of the rear sight assembly. If you look carefully at the hash marks on the windage adjustments you can see two little dimples on either side of the windage adjustment. With these older sight bases they can become worn out and move freely. Sometimes people will take a punch and stamp two dimples in the groove to lock it in place. The base is forever locked into place. Now no one really wants to shoot these LN 1903s especially "mostly" or all correct ones. But for me that's hard to get past because the rear sight assembly is ruined and needs to be replaced. You wont notice unless you really look but I guess I over analyze these things. If you see this in a gunshop or show, and most sellers wont even notice you might be able to point it out and help negotiate a better deal as well.
I have a friend that's an collector of 1903s (for many decades) and also a gunsmith. He points these things out to me from time to time that he's seen in his years of buying and selling these guns and I thought I'd take the time to share whatever I learn from him especially if I find it in an online auction.
Not trying to come off as a know it all just like to share a piece of what I thought was good tip to look for and pay it forward.
All the best! Let me know what you guys think about this.
I'd also like to point out I contacted the owner while the auction was still going on to ask some questions. Very very friendly, polite and professional. To me that's incredibly important, sometimes a gun shop owner can be just as shady as a used car salesman. When I find one that's friendly and will chit-chat with you for a few minutes I just really appreciate that. Not that it has any bearing on this auction. I just thought a friendly and courteous seller is worth mentioning.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=455282944
The stock looks correct but does not have the inspector cartouche.
What had me on the fence about paying more than 1k, is picture #19.
If you look at the receiver picture (#19) and directly right of it, you can see part of the rear sight assembly. If you look carefully at the hash marks on the windage adjustments you can see two little dimples on either side of the windage adjustment. With these older sight bases they can become worn out and move freely. Sometimes people will take a punch and stamp two dimples in the groove to lock it in place. The base is forever locked into place. Now no one really wants to shoot these LN 1903s especially "mostly" or all correct ones. But for me that's hard to get past because the rear sight assembly is ruined and needs to be replaced. You wont notice unless you really look but I guess I over analyze these things. If you see this in a gunshop or show, and most sellers wont even notice you might be able to point it out and help negotiate a better deal as well.
I have a friend that's an collector of 1903s (for many decades) and also a gunsmith. He points these things out to me from time to time that he's seen in his years of buying and selling these guns and I thought I'd take the time to share whatever I learn from him especially if I find it in an online auction.
Not trying to come off as a know it all just like to share a piece of what I thought was good tip to look for and pay it forward.
All the best! Let me know what you guys think about this.
I'd also like to point out I contacted the owner while the auction was still going on to ask some questions. Very very friendly, polite and professional. To me that's incredibly important, sometimes a gun shop owner can be just as shady as a used car salesman. When I find one that's friendly and will chit-chat with you for a few minutes I just really appreciate that. Not that it has any bearing on this auction. I just thought a friendly and courteous seller is worth mentioning.