Garand prices all over the map?

[Faulkner]

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!

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.

 

[johngalt]

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.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

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

 

[SweetMK]

Not to brag but I have a Garand that was issued to Grant.

Even have the letter of authenticity

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,,




` ` . ,

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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

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

 

[growr]

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.

 

[16thVACav]

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

 

[Patrick L]

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

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!

 

[scoobysnacker]

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

 

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...

 

[JS Esq.]

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 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