A coworker inherited a Garand recently. I've yet to see it to get details but I thought I would do some initial research on prices. I am in no way a Garand expert so I've been using comments from various boards as to what is desirable and collectible.

Good grief, after an hour going through recent sales on Proxibid I didn't know if I was batting or pitching. Here's just some of the goings-on.

Honest looking (lots of good pictures) WWII SA example. Matching wood with a few dings, $850. Seemed like a good baseline.

Next auction had two welded receiver mixmasters in multicolored wood and they went for $950. WTH??? The Fulton Armory site would consider those very expensive wall hangers.

Then there was a H&R with just two pictures that sold to an onsite buyer for $1600!!! Bidding war in the room?

I did notice a few trends and if the experts would pass comment I'd be very grateful.

Anything with Winchester on it fetches more money.

Post Korean war builds seem to go cheap.

LMC barreled guns attract money.

Rebarreled guns either fetch crazy money or can barely be given away. Some aftermarket barrels are clearly preferred to others, and the Vietnam era rebuilds don't generate much interest.

All comment welcome!!

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Release the Kraken

Having owned maybe 10+ M1's (mostly DCM/CMP), I can say that this thread should be interesting. Currently, I'm down to 2 (late WW2 and prewar). The war-time appears to be all SA, including the original 1945 barrel which measure a tight 3 on TE/MW.

Interesting indeed! I don't own one but I have heard Garands are very popular among shooters/collectors lately. The prices sure reflect it. In fact many milsurps fetching big money lately. I won't even mention k98ks as prices have really skyrocketed. Seems like most milsurps have contracted "mauseritis.

I too have seen prices all over the place. Heard horror stories of parts guns and Bubba specials. I do not claim to know much about Garands, so decided to stay away.

Just recently I was in a LGS and bought a new MIA. Yes its .308 instead of 06 and has a detachable mag but it satisfied my cravings for a MI, I can trust what its parts are and for a fact its very accurate. Not much chance of getting a MI thumb with that rifle!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

CMP 850.00 mostly sold out but field grade

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

I've been an avid Milsurp collector for more years than I've been a S&W accumulator/collector and when it comes to M1's...they are even a little tougher than 1903 A3 Springfield.

First and foremost is forget even looking at pricing (either asking or closed auctions)....there are too many variables....and even the best and most honest of the adds cannot even begin to touch on all the parts, the various OEM's, the proof marks (hidden and obvious).

Do what you are doing....some research AFTER you have actually gotten the best description possible and pictures if you can't see it in person of the M1 your thinking about.

Get some decent reading material: The M1 Garand, or the M1 Garand: Post World War II, by Scott Duff. There are many other excellent books out there dealing specifically with M1 and its variations.

2. Unless you are willing to START at $4000 forget about all numbers matching, original dated bbl, op rod, trigger housing, cartouched original wood, M1 Garands, either WWII (Springfield/Winchester) or Korean War (H&R, Int'l Harvester Co.).

3. If you do spot one of the above and it is in decent condition, and up for less than $2000......its a fake, or at minimum a mixmaster of all kinds of parts and wood...which is OK if you want a shooter.

4. M1 original WWII are getting quite scarce. Older collectors/shooters like myself have either passed on, or moved into different facets of firearms and their treasures are gobbled up quite rapidly. Some states have enacted 10 round mag limits on rifles...so the en-bloc 8 round Garand clip still fits.

You are right....the Winchester early WWII, known as "Winny One" among collectors is a top of the line desire. For real time pricing get on Scott Duffs website...he is a master of Garands, published author, expert rebuilder, and Seller of Garands.

Almost every expert in M1's agrees that at least 95% of surviving Garands have been through either US Army Armory rebuilds (the official program ended in 1967), or DCM (now CMP) overhauls with best parts from several rifles were used with new barrels, new wood sometimes, new parkerization jobs, etc. These are known as mixmasters but are right now pretty highly sought after due to their really decent TE and ME readings if done by Army Depots, or CMP personnel.

My final take is if you are interested and have between $1500 - $2000 then look for a very good condition army depot overhaul from a reputable seller, buy some extra en-bloc clips, purchase ammo made for the Garand (not ALL 30-06 is good for a Garand), and hit the 200 yard range with steel plates...and you'll be amazed at the accuracy of this almost 90 year old rifle!

Mine is a IHC (postage stamp) rebuilt by the Red River Army Depot in January 1966, equipped with SA bbl (dated 1965), IHC trigger group, and Box P (one side open) furniture.

Good luck and here's hoping that your M1 when you see it turns out to have been issued to Gen'l George P. hisself!

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Value is in proportion to grade... Collector grade and National Match are at the top...followed by Correct grade, than Service.as long as it’s accompanied by paperwork.

You can call CMP and they can search the serial to ascertain if it went thru rCMP, or DCM....not all the records from DCM are complete, but it’ll cost $25.00:to find out.

Replacement barrels put on during re-build are fine, as all ammunition ,with the exception of. 30 Carbine was corrosive primed until the early 50s.

LMR, Line Manufacturing, Rifle in Alabama produced very accurate barrels and in HRA and IHC Rifles were original..HRA also produced their own barrels.....The mid- sixties SA produced barrels were of excellent quality and also very accurate. The receiver leg/ Stock is frequently stamped by the re-build facility.

A lot of Garands were sent to Denmark...The Danes replaced the Barrels as needed with their own, marked VAR....I had one on my JCG Rifle and it consistently shot in the mid- 400s @ 200 yds. using Danish AMA surplus...

Value depends on condition and original parts, Muzzle and Throat erosion readings on a gauge....checking wear patterns and differences in the finish....a lot of fake/ reproduction stamps, especially on WW2 stocks, and people looking to separate you from your money.

General Patton described the M1 Garand as “The greatest battle implement ever devised”....

But I doubt the good general had to hump one very far.

OK, How about a Danish mixmaster with a VAR barrel??

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Just like collecting Smith's, with Garands the devils in the details.

Consider trying to figure a fair price for a K Frame .38 Special. What era is it from? Is it a run of the mill model or some rare/desirable variation? Is it original or rebuilt/refinished. Are you looking for a collector gun of a shooter?? Big difference in price from an nice original 2" Pre-War M&P and a refinished 1970's vintage 4" Model 10 with after market grips.

Like several others posting here I've been wheeling and dealing and collecting USGI firearms now for about 30 years. I favor M1 carbines but I have owned a fair share of M1 rifles and M1903's through the years and currently own several of the nicest ones I've acquired.

If you're going to dilly-dally in USGI firearms blindly you can easily loose your wallet, but that does not mean that you have to fork out a fortune either. I ALWAYS tell people who come to me for input and advice that they should do their own research, not on-line, but using two or three of the many books on the subject that are available. Heck, if you're willing to fork out a grand or more for a USGI firearm, spending 50 or 60 bucks for a good reference book is a wise investment.

LVSteve, you spotted one thing pretty quickly though, the Winchester name (in both M1 rifles and M1 carbines) seem to bring a better price all other things being equal. Why? The branding of the Winchester name. I.B.M. and Rock-Ola carbines generally bring a better price too yet there's not a lick of difference with regard to quality or shootability between any of the USGI carbines, same for Garands.

Lastly, I've bought all of my USGI firearms face to face. A few at gun shows (sometimes in the parking lot going to or from my car), a few more at estate sales, and the rest by word of mouth. I won't buy one unless I can hold it in my hands and inspect it first, and yes I may have missed some nice ones on-line, but I've never gotten stuck with a mis-represented overpriced on-line auction either. I have walked away from several after holding them in my hands and could tell they weren't up to my standards for the price.

My final advice, get a reference book or two . . . did I say that already?

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- Change it back -

Been a DCM/CMP guy from 1982 on. Still got my 1 a life time Garand. in 2004 to 2006 I gought about 24 rifles from CMP Alabama, Price from 295 to 495...the SG back then were flat MINT HR/SA post ww2 rifles. I sold most off years later to pay Bills for my Kids College. A clean HR all matching brings 1600 to 2000, Nuts in my world as optics are a challenge other then a scout mount (which I have on my SA). Got rid of most my M1a's and Garands, I need optics... a AR10 Platform will out shoot them all day.

FWIW: When I was interested in learning more about the Garands, I hung out on the CMP Forum. You will learn a lot about the M1 in the Garand section of that forum, including what books to read/stay away from. The help I received there is similar the the expert advice on this forum. In fact, I'd be willing to bet much of that advice was given by some of the same collectors on this S&W Forum. Good luck!

My wife and I each got one from the DCM/CMP (don't remember which) from the Anniston arsenal. The cost was $165. Both SA, one has been sold and the other is still in the box it arrived in. I think it is a 1965 rebuild. I will shoot it one of these days.

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Kevin in Oregon

...were averaging around $1200 in good condition.

I'm more interested in M1 Carbines, but I doubt at this stage I would get one. Garands are so front heavy they wear me out shooting them offhand.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Going back to the period 2001 to 2006 or so, I made a point of purchasing every M1 rifle I was allowed by CMP rules, which varied from year to year. I ended up with SA, Winchester, International Harvester, and Harrington & Richardson rifles, as well as a couple of Danish returns. These were all "luck of the draw" purchases, next one off the pallet shipped to fill the order, and prices ranged from about $400 to $500 each.

Best shooter has been one of the Danish returns, a 1941 SA completely rebuilt by the Danes with VAR-crown barrel and new stock serial numbered to the receiver.

Probably most interesting to me is a "Win-13" series, Winchester receiver numbered in the range of serial numbers duplicated by Springfield Armory during WW2 production. 1952 Korea-era rebuild with SA barrel and a few mismatched parts.

Probably the rarest is the International Harvester, with original barrel and otherwise correct overall. Only the trigger group was mismatched, and one of my other buys had the IH trigger group, so "voila"!

Prettiest is the HRA, original barrel and a very light colored birchwood stock correct for the period, and 90%-plus condition.

All of them were "service" grade rifles, nothing particularly special about them at the time of ordering. However, today they are all extremely desirable collector pieces, especially with the CMP certificate of authenticity as provenance showing they came directly to me from the US Army Depot in Anniston, Alabama.

I also caught several of the last of the Springfield rifles, M1903 and 03/A3, about 2004 or so. Many of these spent decades in ROTC units or ceremonial use (VFW, American Legion, etc), but one appears to be nearly as-issued condition (1942 Remington 03/A3). None were priced over $400 or so when I purchased them, and a couple of the M1903's were less than $300 at the time (low serial numbers, not recommended for firing due to receiver heat treatment methods of the time).

I consider all of these rifles to be historic artifacts. I also consider them to be part of my retirement fund! I would be surprised if I couldn't double my money on any one of them!

No, they are not for sale.

I think my mixed-master with post-war barrel CMP SA 400,000 range SN originally produced in Oct '41 (Pre-WW2) cost me like $275 at Anniston several years ago. It would sell for 3-4 times that today. I also picked up a nice Inland carbine in the 400,000s, a 1903 and a 1903A3 back when they were available. A fellow gun club member scored an awesome 1898 .30-40 Krag that came from a VFW honor guard around the same time.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I'm beginning to think that I'm not the kind of milsurp collector who would be welcome on the CMP forum. For starters, if the army rebuilt your Garand with mixed parts, those parts contribute to its history, so don't go "fixing" it. I also don't buy into the Winchester mystique. I didn't buy into it with the M1917 and P14 rifles I own, so why should I with the Garand. As for which refurb facility a gun went through, my concern for a rat's patootie applies.

I'm just after a representative of the type in working order. I talked myself out of just such a gun a few years ago, and now I'm regretting it given the way the market has gone, and not just because of the price. The more I read about the M1 "scene", the more I am reminded of an old biker saying. "You can slide further on BS than you can on gravel".

Whatever, I shall go and look at this gun, gather what info I can and decide whether to buy it. If not, I shall give what advice I can on pricing should they decide to sell it.

Thanks to all for the advice and insight.

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Release the Kraken

I really liked going to the CMP store in Annisto, AL.. Back when the racks were full of garands, carbines and 03 Springfields. Then they had all the Greek 30/06 HXP ammo you could want. We always came back with a trunk full. Sadly carbines are gone and Garands are severely limited and all the HXP is gone.

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S&W Accumulator

This is a perfect example of a polarizing gun in Garand circles.

Some will say: "Mixed parts! Foreign barrel!!! Import marks!!! Oh, the horror".

By contrast the shooter crowd love 'em.

Me: "Does it work and is the stock solid?"

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Release the Kraken

Yes and it is a lot more accurate than me.......


(I think I even spotted some BM59 furniture on it)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Somewhere a Garand purist just swooned.

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Release the Kraken

AAAAAaaaaahhhhhhh.............The BM59!

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S&W Accumulator

I bought a near mint H&R a couple of years back for $950. That was the best price on a nice shooter I've encountered in several years. Probably not a steal, but I am very happy with it.

You'll really have to identify the Garand that your co-worker wants to sell before any real estimate of value can be given. Any nice Springfield Armory shooter which might have been re-built at a military armory and has other parts should fetch somewhere in the $1,000-$1,200 range these days in my area. There are active M-1 Garand classes and matches here.

I have one M1 Garand.
Bought it at a gunshop maybe 15yrs ago. Price then was $350 IIRC.
1944 action IIRC, bbl is Korean War time rebuild. Trigger group is H&R. From there I couldn't tell you what the rest is.
I really don't care.

It shoots well and functions as it's supposed to.
Plenty of Garand clipped ammo still in storage, so I'm good to go.

Fun gun to shoot and it can be accurate when I settle down and really try.
No invites from Camp Perry yet though.

We have one Garand, I inherited by Proxy married to the gal who owned it. Fine rifle, she doesn't care as much for it with her short stature, but the SKS fits her like a glove.

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KM
S&WCA 3110 S&WHF 625

I have an Arlington Ordnance import marked M1 Garand. With a new barrel and new wood, it's probably the best M1 shooter I've had. I paid $350 for the package; sling, belt, clips and bayonet.

I bought it for my dad for Father's Day 25 years ago he was a Korean War Vet. I still have it and not for sale at any price.

Aside from sentimental value, if I were to put it on gunbroker, I think I could easily get $1000 in today's market. However, I don't think I'd be able replace it at that price.

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Thread Killer.

I have these two.


The top one is a 1942 Springfield I purchased from CMP back in 2007. Its a Danish return.
The bottom is a 1955 H&R that I acquired from a late friend's estate.
Neither is anything special. Both are rebuilt mix-masters. But, I do enjoy them.
I wouldn't even consider selling either one for less than $1200. But I have no plans to sell anyway.

The last one I bought from the CMP was an H&R. The parkerizing was perfect. So was the barrel and action. Other than the replacement CMP stock the rifle looks new.

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S&W Accumulator

I have a safe mostly loaded with Garands.
The Garand section of the CMP Forum is a great source of information, the members are very helpful and knowledgeable. Take good pictures, remove the stock and show the drawing and lot number on the right receiver leg. lock the bolt to the rear and show the barrel markings, condition of the barrel crown and any stock markings.
With good photos you will get a lot of good feedback.
A couple of things, post war rifles including rebuilds are the nicest M1s made and have a passionate following.
Also, there really is no such thing as a mixmaster, they were all mixmasters from the day they left the factory. Parts were switched from day one in the field and throughout their lifetime. There is no such thing a numbers matching rifle, just period correct, and I seriously doubt they (WW2) exist anymore. Thats why post war rifles are so attractive, because there are still a lot of correct rifles out there.

A few thoughts about buying a Garand:

I've been very pleased purchasing Garands from CMP over the past 7 years, almost all service grades (SGs).  CMP customer service is terrific and any rare purchase issues are quickly resolved. 

Last month, I received 2 SGs, a WWII Springfield Armory and a Harrington & Richardson, both nice examples with low muzzle and throat erosion and decent stocks.  Last year, the 2 SGs I bought would have been field grades just a few years ago and likely part of the Philipine returns. So keep in mind that CMP mail orders are the luck of the draw.

CMP has recently offered Rack Grade Specials for $650:

"CMP Special Rack Grade (.30-06) M1 Garand.  This is a partially refurbished rifle with a refinished M1 receiver, new production criterion barrel, new production American Walnut stock and handguards, and new web sling.  Receiver is the only part of the rifle that has been refinished.  Remainder of the other parts have NOT been refinished.
Receiver will have heavy pitting above the wood line."


CMP Garand sales: M1 Garand - Civilian Marksmanship Program

Another option for those in the East is a visit to a CMP store at either Port Clinton, OH or Anniston, AL. Buyers can hand pick Garands (and sometimes 1903s) from the racks. Lately, appointments have been required and offerings vary, especially the Ohio store. 

Often nice Garands can be found on the CMP forums for sale at decent prices:
M1 Garand - CMP Forums

I am a huge fan of CMP! In August 2016 after a three year wait, I was able to purchase the exact SA M1 Garand I was issued as a DC high school cadet in 1966! Talk about a holy grail and amazing luck! 

I have three Garands two Springfields and one Winchester, I enjoy them. Thay arent special, mint, just run of the mill. I paid between $400 and $800 for them. The one that shoots best has the most barrel wear at the muzzle.

Garands, 1903’s, A3’s and a Winnie P17

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Sure you did

When I first started building my collection over 30 years ago the first rifle I wanted was a Garand.
But I quickly realized that every one that was in my price range was a parts gun.
Since I wanted an all original gun I decided to wait until I could afford one.
By the time I could afford one I lost all interest in owning one.

I have a Winchester CMP that was my Dad's. He gave it to me before he died. I sent it to James River Armory to be refinished. Looks like new. I'll keep it until I die.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

I like all of them, p17 while bulky shoots nice.

My 03 is early and I don't want to shoot full power ammo in it anymore. My A3 is made by some typewriter company...

No M1A...

Mostly GI parts, TRW I think...
Seems to round out the collection
Add in a early A1 AR

I’m missing the Rock 1903. The P17 weighs a ton, for sure. Got a Smith-Corona, the last A3 I bought.

All these American milsurps shoot great. First time out, ping ping at metal plates 100 yards away, no adjustments.

Those things must have eliminated many of the opposition in WWII and Korea.

M1A just sits there, I need to revive it.

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Sure you did

You'd be amazed at the number of people at gun shows that asked me if an M1 had "all matching numbers", then insisting that they had one at home with the same number stamped on every part!

They grow on you.

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Those people usually have more exposure to European milsurp firearms where "all matching numbers" seems to be a big deal to collectors, and they don't understand the nuances of part or drawing numbers common to USGI milsurp rifles.

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- Change it back -

Dad bought an M1 through the CMP/DCM in the early or mid 1980s. He paid for whatever was the top grade at the time. The one he got was in as new condition as you can probably get. Not sure if was overhauled/reparkerized or is in original condition. I'll have to look at it sometime.

Shortly after the Korean war he bought a 03A3 through the CMP. He paid for the top grade and got what appeared to be a brand new rifle. The recoil was too much for him so he almost never shot it. It's mine now.

The 03A3 is more accurate than the M1, but both are great rifles.

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Common sense isn't so common.

Not to brag but I have a Garand that was issued to Grant. Even have the letter of authenticity

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Forum consigliere

I live right next to Appomattox, Virginia,,
I got the one that Lee surrendered to Grant,,,

I WAS THERE as Lee walked into the courthouse,,




` ` . ,

Hugh Grant from Stump Hole Georgia that fought at San Juan Hill with Teddy?

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S&W Accumulator

There's an M1 in a pawn shop here in Billings that once belonged to George A. Custer.......they swear it was his.....no foolin'....need to get there quick, they only wanted $5000 AND it has an honest to God handwritten letter from Custer that says it was his!!!

Randy

PS. Just having some tall tale fun here...couldn't resist.

I've got an axe that belonged to Teddy Roosevelt. The handle was replaced three times, but the head was replaced only twice.

Funny as this is, it is, in a nutshell, the problem with trying to buy a milsurp. It has been said before in this thread, 95% of all M1s were rebuilt, overhauled, etc. at least once. A gun with "all matching parts and numbers" should be viewed as HIGHLY suspect. To me that means that Mr. Unscrupulous went through a lot of parts dealers to assemble his "highly desirable" sample since they really don't exist except in the rarest of circumstances.

Especially when accompanied by Omar Bradley's honorable discharge papers as PROOF!

I don't have one, but have always admired Garands. Usually the ones I run across are way higher than this.

It's still a bit higher than pocket cash for me, but I keep finding myself looking at that site...

I disagree a bit. I wouldn't consider it highly suspect unless the person was advertising it as untouched, all-original, as-issued by the gov't. Otherwise I'd just consider it something a collector had put time in restoring, no different than restoring an old car to its original condition.

I have a 7/43 Garand with nearly all "correct" part numbers (setting aside the various debates in the Garand collector community about the accuracy of the various part number lists floating around). But it's not original by any stretch of the imagination. I worked through the CMP forums to source a few parts - uncut -6 op rod, type 2 lockbar sights, etc. The only things I haven't changed are the follower rod and gas cylinder screw plug to the pre-grenade-launcher parts. So instead of calling it "original configuration" I call it the "D-Day landing configuration".

A few pics - Imgur: The magic of the Internet