very high ser#

[DaveN]

can anyone explain to me a serial # in the 7million range. i thought they only went to 6mill
(7000800) another guy told me he had an 8 mill #erd garand. what gives are these rare, fakes, a joke?

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.

[Rick Cummelin]

M1s in the 7 million serial number range are COMMERCIAL receivers, manufactured relatively recently by the commercial Springfield Armory in Geneseo, IL. If you look closely, you will see a small circled P to the left of Armory on the receiver heel. This indicates that the commercial firm has patented the name "Springfield Armory" for their company.

These are NOT GI M1s, even though they may be fitted with some GI parts. Recent M1s made by the same firm have mostly reproduction parts, as they seem to have run out of surplus GI parts.

Some folks like them as shooters, but they are pretty much shunned by the collecting community.

[mack]

While these firearms may be well-made in recent times, some of the earlier incarnations had troubles. The company though has an excellent warranty, by all reports, and takes care of their customers and the problems. Incidentally, they also do update and maintenance on GI-issue firearms, again, by reports on different forums and did good work.

I know that their firearms are like any retailed product, i.e., they take a substantial hit on worth once they are purchased. If you pay $1000 for a new M1 rifle from Genesco today, it might reasonably trade or sell the next day for about 60% of that value, much like a new auto. Not an investment scheme that many would care to buy into if making some money down the line is your hope. Some though like the idea of "new" rifle, thinking, I suppose, it would be superior to a "rebuild." Each to their own, I suppose.

I should say that I own and shoot one of their M1A receivers I had built on a TRW parts kit some years ago. It does its job very well and I have no complaints.

[DaveN]

thanx, the M1 in ? was bought at a local gun shop I believe under false pretence. he was told it was a springfield armory reissue (a GI rifle) and it clearly is not. Does he have a case cause I think they saw him coming. I know I read a lot of books on Garands for just such a circumstance and thats one I must of missed. More knowledge is good, thanx again.

[Bob Seijas]

The 8 mil serial is probably an overstamp like the 3's on those IHC's featured in the Summer GCA Journal. There will be an article on one in the Fall issue.

[The Wizard]

Rick Cummelin,

It is actually a circled R to indicate that Springfield Armory is a registered trademerk.

As for a case of misrepresentation I will let the lawter jump in on that.

[Rick Cummelin]

thanx, the M1 in ? was bought at a local gun shop I believe under false pretence. he was told it was a springfield armory reissue (a GI rifle) and it clearly is not. Does he have a case cause I think they saw him coming. I know I read a lot of books on Garands for just such a circumstance and thats one I must of missed. More knowledge is good, thanx again.

IMHO, he only has a case if he has that dealer's statement in writing. The obviously crooked dealer can always say your buddy simply misunderstood what he was told. This kind of misrepresentation as to the "collectibility" of any given M1 being sold happens all the time, especially the use of the word "original". If you point out the mistakes, you are usually yelled at or threatened with an a$$-whipping, even if you do it nicely. To me this indicates that they know exactly what they are saying and are upset only because they got caught. Caveat Emptor for sure.

[Rick Cummelin]

The 8 mil serial is probably an overstamp like the 3's on those IHC's featured in the Summer GCA Journal. There will be an article on one in the Fall issue.

Quite possible, as I have seen many overstamped 3 million Springfields, creating 8 million Springfields, being sold by the same guys that were selling overstamped IHCs.

---------- Post added at 08:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------

Rick Cummelin,

It is actually a circled R to indicate that Springfield Armory is a registered trademerk.

Aarrgggh! You're absolutely correct, and for the reason you stated. I KNEW that, really intended to type an R, but I typed a P instead. Sheesh, CRS is a bitch!