Heres the WRA in question

[Garandrew]

Im trying to figure out what to do, keep it, swap it, or sell it..please opine on its good and bad virtues? Thankyou, Andy

WRAM11944 pictures by AndrewG1957 - Photobucket (http://s313.photobucket.com/albums/ll373/AndrewG1957/WRAM11944/)

[Ramboueille]

Im trying to figure out what to do, keep it, swap it, or sell it..please opine on its good and bad virtues? Thankyou, Andy

WRAM11944 pictures by AndrewG1957 - Photobucket (http://s313.photobucket.com/albums/ll373/AndrewG1957/WRAM11944/)


Andy,

You weren't satisfied with the all answers you already received via email?

[Garandrew]

I was...until alternate e-mails came..telling me its helped along...to be correct..its so frustrating, Andy

[Joe W]

I was...until alternate e-mails came..telling me its helped along...to be correct..its so frustrating, Andy

It looks real nice to me Andy. Not many Winchesters out there that were not "helped along" to some extent. I would guess that alot of the recent CMP Winchesters will be "helped along". If it were mine, I think I would keep it. If you do sell it sometime, down the road, you will be wishing you held on to it. I would think that there are alot of people out here that would love to own that rifle, "helped along" or not, I know I would. Joe

[Garandrew]

Believe me, I so want to keep it..I know it is what it is..however..it came from a known humper...who has screwed everybody, I was hoping I lucked out..he has lots of WRA parts, convinced me it was from the WRA museum, hes from New Haven, CT..and I traded a M1941 Johnson for it several years ago. The JA M1941 didnt have its original barrel, and a stock with minor damage.
Andy

[John Wyatt]

Andy, I have WRA # 2,478826, only 204 #'s higher than yours. Your M1 looks like a nice rifle and if it was helped along, the person did a pretty good job as the condition of the parts seems to match well. My rifle was received from the DCM about 1980 by a friend of my dad. My dad bought the rifle about a year later in his friend's divorce sale and gave to me as my first M1 about 1995. It was original except for the stock and trigger group, which I have since added. It's one I'll never sell.

[Joe W]

Believe me, I so want to keep it..I know it is what it is..however..it came from a known humper...who has screwed everybody, I was hoping I lucked out..he has lots of WRA parts, convinced me it was from the WRA museum, hes from New Haven, CT..and I traded a M1941 Johnson for it several years ago. The JA M1941 didnt have its original barrel, and a stock with minor damage.
Andy

Why not check with the WRA museum ? Surely if it was in there collection they will know it. But as you say, it came from a known "humper....who has screwed everybody", so even though a positive answer my seem slim, it may be worth a phone call.
Bottom line, do you like this Winchester more than you did the Johnson ? If so, forget what it may have cost you, that's history. Enjoy it for what it is. If it bothers you to the extent that every time you pick it up you think of possibly getting beat by a "humper" then sell it to someone who will appriciate it. I know the feeling, I have been there on more than one occasion.

[Bill Hollinger]

Andy, keep it! Work a few overtimes and buy what you want.

Okay, I wasn't going to but you made me! Here is my philosophy on guns:
It is the same one I have for children, Harleys and tools.

Just because you get a new one or want a new one doesn't mean you get rid of the old one.:super:

[R.L.E.]

Was The Guy From New Haven First Name Was Pete?

[ihcfan55]

That sure looks like a postwar SA front handguard to me. (Note the crimp on the ferrule.) I do agree with other posters - not too many WRAs that haven't been helped along.

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2009/04/WIN13057-1.jpg

[Garandrew]

RLE knows who the "gentleman" from New Haven is, he comes off as a very Garand educated guy, trying to enhance your collection, with original WRA's Rok-Olas, etc, Ive gotten rid of everything else hes touched, when I found out he was not all there.
Its possible this is good, Ive heard he wanted it back, and when I worked at Cabelas, E Htfd, he came after me there, trying to get me fired for slandering his good name, amongst Conn. customers, [who knew of him].
When I think of virgin firearms, as I had collected K98k's, with original, unmessed with serial numbers, I feel slimy, owning anything hes owned, since as with 98k's who knows who put what where?
One of the top WRA garand guys here, with my provocation, said in an e-mail, it was a nice rifle, original parts, but "not original, as built", however he hasnt elaborated...Others who I trust here, said its a good cartouche, good wood/metal, and a keeper..only the shadow knows..
Andy

[Garandrew]

I should point out this guy deals in rare Garands, and carbines.

[Joe W]

I should point out this guy deals in rare Garands, and carbines.

Most likly, better left unsaid. But if it would make you feel better you can send that Winchester my way. I can live with a bit of slime.:D

[Bill Hollinger]

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men, the Shadow knows! :lol: I just love those old radio shows! :clap:

Don't dump it Andy. You'll be sorry.........;)