Greek Return Garand Collectability ?

[Bodyman]

"Has my Greek return got what's considered the "black" parkerizing?

It doesn't appear especially black (as in the photos posted above)- and it doesn't appear especially greeen, either."

Some of the late parkerizing is quite black and if in good shape it can be mistaken for a black repark - they are often original finishes. Some of the Greek returns came back in such nice condition that they are sometimes confused with reparked rifles (I guess we aren't use to such super nice quality...). Greek 'whatever you want to call it' tends to be extremely black and often it is quite 'shiny'. It is best seen in side by side comparisons and of course a hands on would be helpful, but from the pic yours does not appear to be a repark but much more like an original finish.

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[DaveN]

for a m1 to be perfect is it unissued? CMP has sent me ww 2 receivered m 1s
and to me for the money....and history they are hard to beat. to look at a 6
didgit mixmaster and know it could have been in a few battles, saved a life or lives of a bunch of our heros or been in the hands of one who gave all, that is what collecting such a fine war rifle is all about. my opinion.

[RyanV]

Does anybody else think that with so many really really nice Post war HRA and Springfields being put out by the CMP the last few years, and continuing with the new batch of Greeks, that it will effectively lower the market value of these for the foreseeable future?

[byronroland]

I am new to the forum and have one of these, or at least I think I do. It is an M1D and has the very, very shiny black finish. I was thinking it might have been duo black or something like it almost looks like black paint. Way to shiny for phosphate is it not? I am going to study more using a microscope, but hard for me to think manganese phosphate can be made that shiny a black? And phosphate is a growth of crystals on the surface, notice how non oiled phosphate has little glints of reflection in it when in direct sunlight. Try this on a new old stock part that you know is phosphate, they are there and little sparks are all over the place.

Sure would like some education on this from a real expert? Does anyone know first hand what the Greeks put on these?

And, mine has an absolute horrible front hand guard. Way oversize and some sort of wood I have not seen. Stock is very rough.

I am pleased with the piece and cleaning and getting ready to take it out once I check headspace and all.

Any further education is welcomed.

I will take some pictures of the rifle now in its torn down state and again once rebuilt and post.