In shipping box and covered in cosmoline

[win40-82]

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Recently I went on a road trip to the Seattle area (born and raised in Wash State) and stopped by a gun shop that I have been going to for about 40 years in Fall City. He always has something interesting and I wasn't disappointed this time. Behind the counter he had a Smith Corona O3-A3 dated 8-43. It was in a NRA shipping box with address label, wrapping paper showing August 1960 date. Anyway after about 3 seconds of looking I made an offer and it was accepted. Called my local FFL guy here in Colorado and it was sent to him the same day. now am back home and just today picked it up. Now for the big decision - leave as is or clean up and shoot. Under all of that goop there appears to be a super clean stock and metal with a great color. Will try to post a few pictures.

[horsesoldier03]

You must be living right! That rifle needs to test fired, send it to me and I will take care of everything!
I will mail it back to you via USPS!

[gamekeeper]

Clean and shoot would be my choice unless I could sell it on quickly for a good profit as it is. Good find

[marlinman93]

They say they're only original once, but not sure I could leave all that gooped on cosmoline myself. It's just too much for me. I'd take lots of great pictures first, and save all the packaging, then clean all of it off so the real firearm can be seen and even work the action, or shoot it. Obviously it's likely been shot numerous times before it got treated for storage.

[.45colt]

I agree 100% with marlinman and I would defiantly shoot it..and Give Us a range report. .

[44shooter]

Well it’s not really as new so I don’t think a degreasing and shooting would hurt any value. Don’t think I would twirl it around in a parade though

[GunnyMack]

Unless it was a rare model or in pristine condition I wouldn't hesitate to take it apart and do a through degrease and go shoot it.
Had a buddy of mine rediscovered a half dozen of the 03 2 groove barrels (his dad bought as surplus )when they moved. He took them to the recycling plant for scrap steel. I gave him an earful for that as he could have sold them easily enough as they were brand new in the wrapper and filled with cosmoline.

[win40-82]

Starting the cleaning process. Probably wont be done until end of the week as there are a couple of projects in front of this one. Did this a couple years ago with a Springfield 1922 M2. Pretty messy but is fun when all of the cartouches, barrel markings etc start showing up.

[AmBraCol]

Starting the cleaning process. Probably wont be done until end of the week as there are a couple of projects in front of this one. Did this a couple years ago with a Springfield 1922 M2. Pretty messy but is fun when all of the cartouches, barrel markings etc start showing up.

Sounds like fun! Haven't had a chance to do something like that since '93 when I picked up an SKS to keep my hands occupied while my Dad was in his final days on this earth. There's something therapeutic about taking a rifle that was prepared for long term storage and bringing it out into the light again. Looking forward to your "after" pics.

[Echo154]

Make her yours! Clean her, shoot her and treat her right!
This is MY rifle…there are many like her but this one is MINE!

Man am I jealous!

[win40-82]

I've managed to get it all cleaned up, now just re-assemble which shouldn't take long. The rifle is in excellent condition, bore is mint, a couple small dings in the wood but excellent overall with all of the cartouches intact and well struck including on bottom of stock in front of the mag well with a great color. The bolt shows no sign of ever having been fired, showing that its most likely a replacement. It also has a couple of Remington and Springfield stampings. Will post pictures showing cartouches and metal markings. Its been a very messy job but loved to watch all of the little hidden markings being revealed. Wish me luck on posting the pictures.