Value of a SA Garand in 7.62x54 NATO

[RBruce]

What was the market value of a third type 7.62x54 Garand? I'm referring to the one with the SA built barrel marked SA 11686514 3 66 as shown on page 146 of Canfield's "The complete Guide to the M1 Garand and the M1 Carbine." The rifle is in 98% condition with an OCT 1964 sling. TIA

Information

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[wd0bcx]

7.62 X 54 in not a USGI designation.
51 perhaps?

[RBruce]

Yes, That's what I meant to type. Thanks

[Rick Cummelin]

It depends on who installed that barrel on your rifle. If done by one of the "approved" rebuilders who did it as part of a US Navy contract, AND you have the paperwork to prove it, the rifle could be pretty valuable.

OTOH, if the barrel was installed by "Bubba" in his basement, the rifle is only worth the sum of its parts on the open market. Sometimes less as a complete rifle, which is why so many M1s have been broken down and sold as parts over the years.

If you have no papers, are there any other markings on the barrel?

[RBruce]

I've owned the rifle for about 10years. It didn't come with any papers. The markings are as shown in Canfield's book "7.72 MM SA 11686514 3 66 MD61 P M Defence Acceptance Stamp". The exceptions are no 2 in a triangle over the 7 in 7.62, and also there is a very lightly struck 54 after the MD61. I haven't removed the handguards or the gas cylinder. Where would other marking be located? I did notice a sideways M marked on the gas cylinder lock. Thanks for the info.

[Griff Murphey]

Just to let you know, "back in the day" armorers frequently rebarreled service members' and civilians' guns. They used what they had, which were GI barrels. In the 1960's '06 was suddenly difficult to get whereas the military had plenty of 7.62 NATO floating around at matches. The Navy also used these rifles on ship and in boot camp so it could be ex-Navy. If it has glass bedding or any match parts it is probably a civilian's match rifle he had done by a friendly armorer

[Rick Cummelin]

I've owned the rifle for about 10years. It didn't come with any papers. The markings are as shown in Canfield's book "7.72 MM SA 11686514 3 66 MD61 P M Defence Acceptance Stamp". The exceptions are no 2 in a triangle over the 7 in 7.62, and also there is a very lightly struck 54 after the MD61. I haven't removed the handguards or the gas cylinder. Where would other marking be located? I did notice a sideways M marked on the gas cylinder lock. Thanks for the info.

The two main contractors who converted 30.06 M1s into 7.62 NATO rifles for the Navy were AMF (yes, the bowling ball people) and H&R. If one of these two did it, they stamped either "AMF" or "H&R" and "7.62 NATO" in large, 3/16" letters on the side of the barrel, right under the SA nomenclature. Usually, the 7.62 NATO stamping was filled with white paint for easy ID.

To my knowledge, there were no other official contractors, although as Griff mentioned, the conversion could have been done by a Navy armorer.

Lots of the converted M1s were awarded to Navy shooters at Navy rilfe matches for many years, and they came with paperwork-every time. A genuine, papered Navy rifle is worth substantially more than a rifle without papers. Of course, the value of anything depends on what a buyer is willing to pay for it. EBay is proof of that.

[RBruce]

The rifle has no glass bedding. I don't see either AMF or H&R on the barrel. The stock has a lightly stuck SA over NFR and an ordnance wheel. The trigger housing is a HRA, althought the trigger guard is an earlier milled type. What other identifying marks migh be found?

[M1Riflenut]

If its a basic rifle with an SA 7.62 barrel its worth about the same as any other garand with an 06 barrel in the same shape,possibly a slight premium but not much. With the cost of surplus 7.62 far exceeding surplus 30/06,the demand for 7.62 M1's has dwindled some and as such so has the value. Bear in mind this does not include Navy rifles/papered guns,those are collectibles,service grades are not and are pruchased to use.
Hard to place a value without at least a few pictures but if it's 98% like you say(which is like new for a garand) I'd say your somewhere around the $800-900 area.

[Rick Cummelin]

If its a basic rifle with an SA 7.62 barrel its worth about the same as any other garand with an 06 barrel in the same shape,possibly a slight premium but not much. With the cost of surplus 7.62 far exceeding surplus 30/06,the demand for 7.62 M1's has dwindled some and as such so has the value. Bear in mind this does not include Navy rifles/papered guns,those are collectibles,service grades are not and are pruchased to use.
Hard to place a value without at least a few pictures but if it's 98% like you say(which is like new for a garand) I'd say your somewhere around the $800-900 area.

Given the information you have provided, I concur with M1Riflenut's guess as to the value of your rifle. Be advised that your NFR stock may be worth several hundred dollars by itself if it is in superb condition, hasn't been sanded, etc. You may wish to replace the NFR stock with a less collectible stock if you decide to sell the rifle.

I think this thread has run its course, if you know what I mean......