CMP M1D - To leave sealed or not

I have searched through the milsurps forums in an effort to find an answer and either I'm not using the right search terms or I'm just not seeing it.

I won the lottery for an M1D in 1996 from DCM (or CMP, I forget when the name changed). I got it with the intent of shooting it competitively, but life intervened. In any event, I've never opened any of the bagged/sealed components including the rifle.

At this point, 18 years later, I will probably not shoot it and just hang onto it. As for documentation, I have the original congrats letter from DCM, the carbon copies of the postal money order for $650 I sent DCM, the return receipt, the box it was shipped in, and the BII for the parts list, and all the parts.

My question is this. Should I take the rifle out of the bag - it has holes where the weapon has rubbed through the plastic so it's not airtight anymore - at least just to oil and maintain it? I live in the mid Atlantic, so humidity is an issue in the summer, but our house is air conditioned.

Thank you gentlemen!

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Originally Posted by PHSINV

My question is this. Should I take the rifle out of the bag - it has holes where the weapon has rubbed through the plastic so it's not airtight anymore - at least just to oil and maintain it? I live in the mid Atlantic, so humidity is an issue in the summer, but our house is air conditioned.

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Welcome

You would be foolish not to take it out and inspect it, take some pictures and you choose whether to return it to the same condition as you opened it. I'd make sure it was properly cared for and stored.

I can't help. The whole concept of the question is foreign to me. I would have been tearing it open while the UPS man was trying to get it to the porch.:dancingbanana:


Al

Once you open it, it is impossible to "return it to the same condition".
An example such as this has a desirable quality that a few collectors will pay a premium for.
if you're not going to shoot it, why would you destroy the inherit value of it?

It's yours, do as you like. But know that once you break the seal, it's lost something that you can't get back.

God YES take it out. Metal needs to be oiled!! Plastic traps moisture, hopefully it's not rusted or speckled anywhere. Screw getting a "premium",,, make certain to preserve the stuff first.

If it was me I'd shoot the snot out of it,,,but that's me..

I'd get rid of the plastic, clean and oil it and use it regularly.

Somebody is eventually going to un-pack the piece, might as well have the experience yourself and enjoy the experiece, and I agree with those that are encouraging inspection and cleaning as required for preservation. Same goes for shooting, eventually someone is going to shoot it, I'd shoot it but would feel responsible for a through cleaning afterwards, and I haven't done any shooting in a long time because I hate cleaning firearms.

There are a couple of ways to think of material culture equipment. Some people believe that they are caretakers of historical objects that should be preserved for future education. Others take the view that they "own" the equipment and that the historical value of material irrelevant. I suppose part of your decision making on this piece is your philosopy of your roll in the future of the piece. If the piece is obviously in good condition but of no great historical value then putting a few more rounds through it isn't going to change the status of the equipment.

I have the luxury of multiple examples of U.S. military firearms so I can chose to shoot examples and preserve without firing others. For example I acquired a rifle M1903 that is still in cosmoline after rebuild at Benecia Arsenal. I have other M1903s that I have live fired, and prefer to preserve the previously mentioned rifle as an example of how a rifle appeared and was preserved after rebuild. I am hoping that there will be a preservationist that will appreciate my efforts some time in the future.

The shooters will argue that there are so many of these rifles around there is no point to not shoot the piece. However if everyone that acquired an interesting piece as you have had that philosopy there wouldn't be any left for posterity. A great many M-1 rifles that are examples of post manufacture rebuild and are therefore examples of that stage in the history of the rifles are bring "restored" with parts intended to make the rifles "original." The fact is that a collector cannot restore a rifle to original condition, but can only create a new history of the piece.

Unpack it, take copious photos of the process and enjoy this fine piece......

And after you open it please post the pictures of it. The rifle, not the old wrapping material. :D

I won one of the M1D rifles surplused from the 20th SFG headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama back in 1999. I carefully unwrapped it, maintain and shoot it from time to time. I still have all the accessories and the original shipping box from CMP. Of course, it's a used rifle with plenty of character and it certainly didn't hurt it. I've also had a couple of CMP M1D's over the years that were minty with all new, sealed accessories. I opened one of the packets with the new leather cheek rest and guess what? It was dry rotten beyond repair and had to be replaced. Food for thought. I doubt seriously the way things are going that the value is going to be hurt much if you maintain, shoot and enjoy it.

Sell it to me, your dilemma is over

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Originally Posted by Orlando

Sell it to me

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There you go...

You will lose money if you unwrap it and shoot it. Mint in the package and unfired as they were shipped from the arsenal rifles will always bring good money for those that collect those type rifles and it will only go up in value in later years.
On the other hand, it's fun to shoot those rifles and if you don't care on losing a few bucks, go ahead and shoot it. It's like a new car, you lose money the minute you drive it out of the dealership.
Personal, if I had other rifles to shoot, I would leave it unfired, or sell it and use the money to buy one to shoot that you wouldn't feel guilty about shooting and have money left over. Ray

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Originally Posted by rayg

Mint in the package and unfired as they were shipped from the arsenal

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This is from CMP not the arsenal.

Better to unpack it and check that the 18 years in the plastic has not done what it does well sweat and trap moisture the protective coatings may stop water but after 18 years and not looking at it I would expedite the unpacking and inspect clean and oil it it as if it has become dimpled or pitted what then 18 years of waiting just to have a.........

Like RT said someone's going to do it so why not have that singular pleasure yourself if your not going to sell it then what is the harm and to lose a few bucks cause it is unpacked big deal, imagine the sh*te selling it to a person they unpack it and find out it is not quite cochre, better state "as is where is" if you sell it

Mine was received in 1995 or 96, but was still through the DCM, and was shipped from an arsenal.

If I had not opened it in this length of time, I would leave it sealed. Since you apparently have no desire to fire it, it will be worth more should you decide to sell it.

You will lower the value and collectable desirability if you take it out and oil it. If you ever sell it, you will get maximum return by keeping it dry and in the original packaging...

When you get right down to it it's all relative. Do you buy a $5000.00+ Browning over/under only to keep it in the "original" packaging? No, you shoot the **** out of it especially downing clays. There's nothing rare about the rifle in question except it's still in its beat up packaging.
A couple hundred or even a thousand bucks is worth it to me for MY enjoyment,why should the next guy get to have all the fun....:dunno:

Provided it's cared for, it won't really devalue unless you (gasp!) shoot the barrel out of it...!

For your answer to this question you only need to look at the "brand new", bone dry, M1 rifles uncovered at the GCA convention at CMP south in Oct. 2009, during the unpacking of the Greek Air Force M1's. These rifles have sold at auction for what, $ 5000.00, $ 6,000.00 ??? Remove the foil from the sights and oil them up and what do you think they would bring ? I think you would be lucky to get $ 1500.00 to a max of $ 2000.00.

Did you buy the rifle to shoot or to sell again? You will be missing out on a great opportunity to enjoy the rifle to is fullest if you are just a timid admirer from a distance. Take photo's of the thing, unwrap it and shoot it. The rifle isn't mint and unfired. It was cleaned, packaged and delivered to your address. What are you waiting for? What's wrong with you? Step up to the plate and swing the bat. Play ball or get off of the field and let somebody play. If you aren't going to shoot it, then sell it as it is and be done with it. It was not made to be a Safe Queen.

I was facing a similar dilemma not too long ago. I purchased a NIB M1D from a local collector and was having a tough time deciding on whether to open it up and enjoy it or preserve it in wraps for the next owner. Since I purchased it to enjoy, not to make money, I ended up taking mine to the range. Glad I did, but I suppose that first shot was an expensive one.

NIB M1D went for over $7800 a few years ago:
M1-D (Like NEW) SN-2743270 Auction

I suppose a gently used, well documented M1D from the DCM is still going to be worth a bit more than the sum of it's parts, and it will certainly be worth much more than what you paid for it back in 1996! Do what makes you happy - sell it and make some $$$ or shoot it and enjoy it. They really aren't that much fun sitting in the box. Take some photos so you can remember the way it was, though.

If you decide to shoot it, you may end up having to buy a new cheek pad. The leather on the one that came with my rifle was dried up and a few of the eyelets tore when trying to install it.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3b29861c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f581ecb9-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...eb9454d7-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0882288a-1.jpg

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

This is from CMP not the arsenal.

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Aren't they shipped as packaged from the arsenal to CMP? That was my understanding. Ray

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Originally Posted by limpetmine

Once you open it, it is impossible to "return it to the same condition". An example such as this has a desirable quality that a few collectors will pay a premium for. if you're not going to shoot it, why would you destroy the inherit value of it? It's yours, do as you like. But know that once you break the seal, it's lost something that you can't get back.

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This is not a true factory-wrapped "mint" rifle.
The "seal" is already broken. I.e. the package is not airtight.
All rifles must be maintained - repeat all. Even museum display objects must be checked from time to time. And even if it is in a vacuum-packed bag straight from the factory, the original grease will break down and penetrate the wood. And the wood will dry out and shrink. Takes more or less time according to storage conditions, but it happens..

So I suspect that some of those rifles uselessly (IMHO) preserved "in the wrap" will turn out to need serious maintenance before firing if they are ever removed from their wraps.

---------- Post added at 04:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by Fred G.

Play ball or get off of the field and let somebody play. If you aren't going to shoot it, then sell it as it is and be done with it. It was not made to be a Safe Queen.

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Expresses my sentiments exactly:cheers:

---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:38 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

I opened one of the packets with the new leather cheek rest and guess what? It was dry rotten beyond repair and had to be replaced.

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Only just read this, but it confirms what I already posted.

---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:40 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by WarPig1976

If it was me I'd shoot the snot out of it,,,but that's me..

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A barrel full of snot could cause ringing. Clean it first:D

OP no longer cares, he was last on here the 12th of May...now 9 June...

That's OK, we enjoy chatting among ourselves, he just got the conversation started :)

That's right...

I never saw the need to keep something like this tucked away. I too would shoot the snot out of it.

To be honest, I'd love to put one together from parts so I COULD shoot the sh*t out of it. Problem is, if you don't do everything just right, you won't hit a barn flying...I'd come close, but getting the mount parallel might be a trial for me.

As previously mentioned, the value in this gun is to remain in the original packing. This means $1000s to a Garand or sniper rifle collector. If you are very rich, take it out of the USGI packaging and go shoot it. If you are poor, sell it as is, buy a used M1d to shoot and a pickup to drive you and your used rifle to the range.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

OP no longer cares, he was last on here the 12th of May...now 9 June...

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Actually, the OP got deployed and had larger fish to fry. I appreciate the feedback from you guys who certainly know more than I do. I have not yet decided on what to do. I get both sides.

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Originally Posted by PHSINV

the OP got deployed

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And he came back alive. Well done...

Amen, brother!

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Originally Posted by jjjxlr8

I was facing a similar dilemma not too long ago. I purchased a NIB M1D from a local collector and was having a tough time deciding on whether to open it up and enjoy it or preserve it in wraps for the next owner. Since I purchased it to enjoy, not to make money, I ended up taking mine to the range. Glad I did, but I suppose that first shot was an expensive one.

NIB M1D went for over $7800 a few years ago:
M1-D (Like NEW) SN-2743270 Auction

I suppose a gently used, well documented M1D from the DCM is still going to be worth a bit more than the sum of it's parts, and it will certainly be worth much more than what you paid for it back in 1996! Do what makes you happy - sell it and make some $$$ or shoot it and enjoy it. They really aren't that much fun sitting in the box. Take some photos so you can remember the way it was, though.

If you decide to shoot it, you may end up having to buy a new cheek pad. The leather on the one that came with my rifle was dried up and a few of the eyelets tore when trying to install it.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3b29861c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f581ecb9-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...eb9454d7-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0882288a-1.jpg

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Since I am only into the Milsurps for a couple of years I have a lot to enjoy ahead. I had never heard of an M1D let alone see one in such fantastic condition.
Thank you!