SA/SPG stock value?

I am primarily a carbine collector, but have also collected several Garands (16 so far). One of the 1944 vintage Garands I have came with a stock on it that references indicated was from the pre-war period, and I would like to get a little (OK, a lot!) smarter about this stock and eventually establish a fair value for it. I would post photos if I could, but my camera is temporarily Kaput.

This long barrel channel stock has a shallow but clear S.A./S.P.G. marking on the left side below the receiver that is easily visible when you get the light right. The lines forming the letters themselves are quite fine, not deep or "fat" like the re-stamps, and the "box" around the letters is quite faint and incomplete. I am familiar with the proliferation of post-war stamps available for both the carbines and Garands, and am certain that this is genuine. There is no evidence of a crossed cannon cartouche. The letters "A A G(?)" are very faintly visible right below the "SPG", and in fact, partly overlap the "SPG". There is a serifed "P" in a circle high on the inside of the pistol grip and a smaller plain "P" near the bottom inside of the grip. I believe this indicates rebuild/inspection by Augusta Arsenal, but don't know what the "G" letter means.

The holes in the rear of the stock are the same dimension (~13/16 inch diameter) but close inspection reveals that the original 1-inch diameter upper hole has been plugged with a piece of wood and re-drilled to 13/16" dia. The back of the stock has been routed from the two holes to the right edge of the stock, most likely to accommodate the hinge for the trap-door buttplate. There is no drawing number stamped on the bottom behind the grip. The remainder of the stock is in very good condition, with less than usual of the typical small dings, and no cracks, scratches or GI "artwork" on it. The walnut is essentially dry, even-toned and fairly light in color, not the dark, oil-soaked condition often seen.

Further research indicates that this stock is a modified configuration 1(b), according to Poyer & Riesch, and would be applicable to a Garand produced prior to ~October 1940. A friend is interested in purchasing this stock to go on his gas trap replica, but we can find no indication of approximate value (except for one "large hole/small hole" gas trap stock with no trace of an SA/SPG marking that has been offered on GunBroker for nearly a year at over $2700)

Can any members help us with an estimate of a fair price for this pretty rare old stock?

I have some stocks like your description and do not think that the value is that high. Was there a drawing number between the pistol grip and the rear swivel ? Original large over small hole SA SPG stocks with a readable cartouche can sell for as much as $3500, maybe more. Some collectors have restored these rebuild stocks back to no-trap with the large over small holes too - it is restorable to some degree - but never like originals. The $2700 price seems to me to be very high and I would think $700 or $900 less would be better - I could be wrong, but thats my opinion.Attachment 16889Attachment 16890

The Non serif P is correct and the serifed high one is a rebuild mark. With these not being to easy to find anymore price can be around $1,500 for this stock I would say but the 700 to 900 isn't a bad price either. Depending on condition is key. Look real close for the drawing numbers between the grip bottom and the rear sling swivel. Rick B

Thanks again for your response a couple of weeks ago. I see that you sent two attachments (16889 and 16890), but they seem to have been fused together, and I cannot get either one of them to open. Please try again, perhaps with each attachment separated by a large space or even some text. This SA/SPG stock I have has two equal-sized holes and NO drawing number on the bottom between the pistol grip and the rear sling loop, as I understand an early gas-trap model should have. However, I also understand that later gas-trap Garands (marked SA/SPG with no cc) were produced WITHOUT that drawing number ever being applied. The rear of this stock has been machined out to the right to accommodate the hinge for the trap-door buttplate -- looks like a machine job, rather than hand-job, so it is probably NOT totally correct for an early gas-trap model. My friend who is interested in this stock for application to his gas-trap replica understands that the holes in the rear of the buttstock will be covered by his (replica) solid buttplate; however, he is not sure whether or not the bottom drawing number is absolutely necessary for his recreation. We are both interested in an estimation of fair value for this unique stock; neither wants to gain an unfair advantage. In an indirect way (which I understand is the only reasonable way available right now), can anyone give us a better estimation of value? -- I see estimates between $900 and $1900. How can i help knowledgeable people make a better estimation? Neither my friend nor I want to get or be screwed, and it appears that the difference between high/low values (based on a severely limited data input) could be in the order of a thousand dollars!

You are welcome to respond and also forward-post this message if you think you might get better response under your banner than I have garnered so far!

Regards,
raycer911 Ray Melton rfmelton@msn.com

I am rather surprised that my inquiry only generated two responses -- how wouild you suggest that I generate additional inputs?? I do indeed plan to very soon get the stock back from my friend (for a few minutes!) and take photos to post on the forum, although I think my verbal description was pretty good as is!

The pics will help.

following groups:

Large/small hole D28293 drawing number P in circle without serifs

by around s/n 22xxx drawing number deleted

by around s/n 28xxx P in circle with serifs

by around s/n 46195 two equal size holes P with serifs

Pre war cartouches are without the crossed cannon stamp

Post WW2 SA SPG rebuild cartouche is often stamped ahead of the location where the original cartouche was located. Postwar has different size letters

Yours is a large over small hole that was modified. Also you are not going to get allot of responses as not to many know about th early stocks. RCS
and I have handled probably more than most also. Rick B

Wow! Thanks for the detailed response! -- it will really help him because he knows the s/n of his gas-trap receiver. Where could I (and particularly my more Garand-oriented friend) find that information? Do you have any suggestions as to a fair value for this stock, understanding that there are very few similar examples for comparison?

With the SA SPG stock variations, there are also some variations in the solid buttplates. Photo shows most of the variations you would encounter. Early SA had the drawing number inside the buttplate and Winchester had a different type of checkeringAttachment 17492