I think I scored a Lend Lease Garand!!

[tom gray]

Hi guys. I was travelling thru CT this weekend. Stopped at a few shops. In a large shop in
East Windsor I found this. It appears to be an original Lend Lease. Long channell stock,
TE less than 3, ME less than 1. The pics show the rest. I think it is worth 1700 to 2200.
What do you guys think?
Thanks for all opinions.
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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Bill Hollinger]

I think it is worth more than that. It is very nice! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Rick B]

Worth it and do not get hung up on the stock as when they came into the country they were taken apart and cleaned. many long and short channeled stocks ended up on the wrong rifles. Also the large and small cannons will be found on both channels. No such thing as large first and small later. I have proven this time and time again over the last 14 years. Rick B

[tom gray]

Thanks guys Rick, I have a question for you. It looks like the stock was sanded before
the varnish or whatever shiny finish was applied. The large cross cannon is very faint. Should
I leave it alone or remove the finish? If remove, what would you recommemd? In any
case I am very happy as I got a good deal. There are still bargains out there!
Tom

[Rick B]

Tom,
I use Jasco Stripper that is at Lowes and can be rinsed off in water but wear gloves as it is strong. I would then lightly 0000 steel wool that stock and use Dark Brown Fiebings leather dye followed by a coat of linseed oil with a 50/50 mix with Turpentine only for the first coat then about 20% for the second. Then followed by just BLO after as the Turp is only to get the oil to sink a bit deeper into the wood. After that is is useless and starts to defeat the purpose only talking oil away just like when you use it to clean brushes of paint. By the way I do the mix in those little condiment container you get when you buy a sandwich and pick out pickles or peppers to go. I buy them by the thousands.

You understand how to apply the oil correct? If not I used a 1inch square piece of a old sweat shirt to lay it on and let it set for 30 minutes. I follow up with a T-shirt to rub the oil off briskly so I have no oil but what is staying barely on there. Lay the rags out or put in water so they do not self combust. I repeat this as many times until I am happy with the finish depth usually about 5 coats for a Lend Lease. Hope this helps. Rick B

---------- Post added at 05:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:07 PM ----------

One other note, you can stain once and oil a few times then stain again if you feel it isn't dark enough as it will sink through. Then just start oiling again. Rick B

[Emri]

Yours looks just like mine, #398,688, but my BNP markings are over the chamber area in the op-rod cut not on the front of the bbl. You did good. I found mine in a hardware store in Memphis, TN in the 70's.

[Rick B]

By the way I only use the Jasco stripper when it is a nasty or finish like yours. On oiled stocks I use grit-less Go Jo hand cleaner or equivalent. Rick B

[tom gray]

Rick
Thanks for the info on stripping the stock. Now i must decide if I am brave enough to
try it on this stock. I may need to expirement on another first.

I still can't beleive I got this fine rifle so cheap. They just do not know Garands. They were
asking 775 & I talked them down to 725! There are still deals out there!
Tom

[Bill Hollinger]

You stole that rifle!

[tom gray]

Bill
I almost agree with you. That is how I first felt, but my buddy Dave told me that all the
studying I have done over the years made me more knowledgeble than them. He is correct.
I made some bad purchases when I started back in the '80s. Guys like you & others here &
on other sights, the GCA, CMP have all helped me learn & that knowledge got me a great
deal on a great rifle. I will continue to learn & hope I can share that with others new to
the hobby. Thanks again & maybe someday I will find another deal!
Tom