Gun owners / collectors / experts -- I need help

01/23/2007 12:49:50 AM · #1

Totally not photography related, but I've googled my butt off and can't seem to find an answer to this question - I hope someone here might know a bit more.....

My neighbor has asked me to help him find the value of an "antique" military rifle. I put antique in quotes because none of us know the actual age of the rifle. My father is an avid collector and I've been around old guns most of my life, but I'm at a loss with this one.

Here is what I know: Its a full-size rifle, military issue, has bayonett holder, strap anchors, military sites, very "carved by hand" looking wood, brass nail heads holding the wooden joints. I see 'AC 3715' on the stock, bolt, and magazine. Other numbers carved into the bolt: 8642 ICR 1559; and RFI 968. The wood is very aged, but is in almost pristine condition, the barrel and bolt have been blued MANY times which is obscuring some of the markings. I'm thinking WW2, but not sure.

Anyone have a guess? I'd post a picture but I didn't think to shoot one... could tomorrow if it would help.

01/23/2007 01:07:00 AM · #2

Did it look like this

Springfield 03-A3

01/23/2007 01:08:01 AM · #3

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

Did it look like this

Springfield 03-A3

Yes, but without that carved indent in the middle.

chimericvisions

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/23/2007 01:10:12 AM · #4

Or like this

Any info you can get... cartridge info, etc., would be helpful.

01/23/2007 01:10:17 AM · #5

Then it has to be a Mauser 98
German made the 03 is based on the Mauser design.

01/23/2007 01:11:45 AM · #6

Originally posted by chimericvisions:

Or like this

Any info you can get... cartridge info, etc., would be helpful.

Got me by 5 seconds

01/23/2007 01:13:15 AM · #7

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

Then it has to be a Mauser 98
German made the 03 is based on the Mauser design.

That has a large "bolt?" on the stock. I definitely didn't see that. Maybe worth mentioning, and probably not... it has a red painted X on one side of the stock and '9' on the other... I figured that had to do with decomissioning.

01/23/2007 01:13:52 AM · #8

Originally posted by chimericvisions:

Or like this

Any info you can get... cartridge info, etc., would be helpful.

this is close... but again the "bolt?" on the stock is wrong

01/23/2007 01:14:36 AM · #9

M1 Garand

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/23/2007 01:14:49 AM · #10

The cartridge was marked with AC 3715, same as the stock & bolt. No other markings on the cartridge.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

01/23/2007 01:15:56 AM · #11

Originally posted by idnic:

I'd post a picture but I didn't think to shoot one...

*shakes head*

01/23/2007 01:17:01 AM · #12

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

M1 Garand

That's really close... bit too "slick & new" but might just be the condition. Wood looks too dark too, again might be how it was kept. Very close in shape though. I'll walk over & take a pic tomorrow just to be sure. I'd hoped I would find it with the markings alone, but hell.... our military sucks for record-keeping!! lol

Other side and dirtier. :-P

01/23/2007 01:18:44 AM · #13

01/23/2007 01:20:25 AM · #14

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

Other side and dirtier. :-P

Wood grain looks right, iron work looks right... that may be it. Its an impressive bit of work (very much hand-tooled-looking)... that one show brass nailheads in the woodwork?

chimericvisions

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

01/23/2007 01:21:07 AM · #15

Originally posted by idnic:

The cartridge was marked with AC 3715, same as the stock & bolt. No other markings on the cartridge.

Really? No 8mm, or .30 cal, or ...?

Yeah, pictures are going to be good. Macros of the cartridge (bullet, that is) markings, any barrel markings, and an overall.

01/23/2007 01:21:14 AM · #16

Edit: SMALL brass nailheads, square ones.... on the stock... not around the barrel.

Message edited by author 2007-01-23 01:23:10.

01/23/2007 01:22:16 AM · #17

Originally posted by chimericvisions:

Originally posted by idnic:
The cartridge was marked with AC 3715, same as the stock & bolt. No other markings on the cartridge.

Really? No 8mm, or .30 cal, or ...?

Yeah, pictures are going to be good. Macros of the cartridge (bullet, that is) markings, any barrel markings, and an overall.

He's never had ammo, only the rifle and cartridge... shame he doesn't have the bayonette. I'll shoot the cartridge too tomorrow.

fotomann_forever

01/23/2007 01:23:58 AM · #18

Originally posted by idnic:

I'd post a picture but I didn't think to shoot one...

Time for the firing squad... only one camera has a memory card in it, so none of us know who shot her. :-)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

01/23/2007 01:24:23 AM · #19

It is most likley a Garand. The Garand is a 30-06. This was the United States Armed Forces' main battle rifle during World War Two and Korea. The M1 also saw service in Vietnam, especially during the early years, until it was replaced by the M14. And now the M16.

rossbilly

Nikon D200

01/23/2007 01:24:34 AM · #20

Cindi,

You mentioned obscure markings covered by bluing... have you tried placing paper over it & using a pencil / crayon rub? Also, if your father has a copy of the Shooter's Bible, that could be helpful (sorry, but I gave up hunting several years ago & no longer have mine...)

Good luck!

01/23/2007 01:25:26 AM · #21

Did the clip look like this

01/23/2007 01:28:39 AM · #22

Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:

Did the clip look like this

ACK... I was sure you were correct until you posted that. No it was much longer (wider) with the round inside rather than poking out.

Leroy - you just made me spit beer on my keyboard, I hope you're happy! lol

01/23/2007 01:29:16 AM · #23

Originally posted by rossbilly:

I'll try that, Bill. Thanks! :)

01/23/2007 01:29:34 AM · #24

M14

I am just following evolution till we find it! :-P

Message edited by author 2007-01-23 01:30:03.