Winchester Garand question

[ap3572001]

I am new to this forum and new to Garands. is it true that Winchester marked receivers Garands are more valuable than others? Even on mixed parts guns?

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[shottist]

I believe this is generally true. Winchester Receivers seem to have some special magic and fewer were manufactured than Springfields which perhaps makes them more interesting.

[ap3572001]

I believe this is generally true. Winchester Receivers seem to have some special magic and fewer were manufactured than Springfields which perhaps makes them more interesting.

Thanks. But how come its true even in mixed parts guns? I thought if parts are mixed than the make or the receiver does not effect value of the rifle.

[Bill Hollinger]

Winchester mix-masters will fetch a bit more the a Springfield mix-master.

[Charlie59]

Thanks. But how come its true even in mixed parts guns? I thought if parts are mixed than the make or the receiver does not effect value of the rifle.

In most areas of gun collecting, "parts guns", and re-finished guns don't seem to have much collector value-only what is called "shooter value". I have noticed with Garands, and carbines as well, that isn't exactly the case. I have no idea why, but it even holds true with WW2 Springfields as well. I read lots of posts like: "I finally got a WW2 SA Garand. Barrel date is 4-55, cylinder lock is high hump, bolt HRA, trigger group IHC, stock is USGI with DOD cartouche, oprod is marked RA, etc." It must be Garands are popular enough that the receiver being whatever brand the buyer is looking for in a correct rifle, becomes enough. I'm sure the scarcity of correct rifles has a lot to do with it, if not everything to do with it. The same thing happens with re-parked rifles. Most affordable M-1s are mixmasters. To the new collector, with a tight budget, it is a way to get a Garand that looks very good. My first three Garands were reparked mixmasters that I got many years ago, and I still have two of them! They are WW2 receivers with 60s dated SA barrels. They look good, they shoot good, they're not worth a bundle-and they're not for sale.

Charlie

[jmoore]

That's why I don't have a Winchester M1 rifle. There's not even the illusion of "correct" parts flying in formation. Receivers are easy. Barrels, op rods (un-cut),and stocks are hard to find bits (at least in reasonably good shape and that don't cost more than a whole Springfield rifle.)

[latigo 1]

Thanks. But how come its true even in mixed parts guns? I thought if parts are mixed than the make or the receiver does not effect value of the rifle.

It is the historical significance. Winchester was the only private company to manufacture Garands during WWII. A Winchester is a Winchester, regardless of what other parts are on it. Just the same as a Ford is still a Ford, no matter how many customized parts are on it.

[Bill Hollinger]

I'm finding the barrel and "correct" stock to be the most difficult to locate. Those are the only bits I need to complete my restoration.

[ap3572001]

It is the historical significance. Winchester was the only private company to manufacture Garands during WWII. A Winchester is a Winchester, regardless of what other parts are on it. Just the same as a Ford is still a Ford, no matter how many customized parts are on it.

Thank You ! I got it now!

[Rick Cummelin]

Thank You ! I got it now!

As a final data point, my experience has been that there are many "Winchester" collectors out there who want to collect anything with the Winchester name on it, including hand tools (yes, they made some).

Anyway, once these folks discover that Winchester made Garands and carbines during WWII, they immediately want one each of those.

Some of these guys ONLY buy the name on the receiver, without knowing anything about M1s or carbines, and sometimes they pay BIG bucks for parts guns.

Ubfortunately for the rest of us, this strange fixation on the Winchester brand keeps the prices somewhat higher than they would logically be. Of course, their rarity helps keep prices inflated too.