New garand has a strange etching on it

[ronmayle]

I just recently traded for an m1 garand 1951. On the top of of the bolt 3931 has been etched into it. Can anyone tell me what this is from? Is it some kind of marking for import or manufacturing, or was it from some moron with an etching gun? Also how does the effect the value? Thanks.

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[mdrim13]

pictures are needed to be certain but it could possibly be a navy gun. it seems they may have been marked in this way. is the garand in .308 instead of the 30.06? im not positive, others will have a better answer for you if you post pictures.

[Prince Humperdink]

Most likely part of a Serial Number.Can affect value as far as rebuilders are concerned,but will probably work just as well as any other bolt

[browningautorifle]

The danish and some others electro penciled the last four numbers into the bolt to assist in matching up after headspace. The bolts without this are better for collecting but if it matches the number it may be valuable as a Danish example. It's probably a rebuild anyway so it's mixed up.

[ronmayle]

Ok no biggie, Im planning on tricking this gun out in the form of cross between robocop, an ar-15, and a m1, so not really worried about that value, what gets me is if this is danish then it is in better condition than it says it should be in. All the sites I read about said danish rifles were kind of beat up, this one is in almost mint condition. Anyways, I traded a car for it that I wanted $600 for. Good deal or no? Only problem is that etching.

[browningautorifle]

Danish guns were in many cases as new. This one will be worth what you have in it if it as much as works. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with it. The numbers on the bolt LOOK like the Danish but mine are far neater. Doesn't matter. Probably the same.

[ronmayle]

Now im also wondering if it is true what my dad said. He said that it could have been done by hand, and might have been some kind of unit stock number, if so this might have seen combat. Thos numbers could have been a soldiers last 4 of their SSN. Im just not sure. Oh and it fires like a dream.

[browningautorifle]

No, those are the last four of the rifle s/n. The bolts just were switched after they were released. A soldier would be sh*tkicked for doing that to his rifle. And most M1s did see combat at one time or another. Then they were rebuilt. Yes, it would shoot like a dream. I was shooting my 7.62 today. It does too.

[ronmayle]

Ok round abouts price estemate then? Rifle is in great shape, little wear no rust. Stock is exelent, bolt is original 1943 although the barrel is 1951. What do you think it would be worth?

[Kirk]

If the rifle meets CMP Service Grade specs (Rifle Sales ), then it is worth at least $595 - perhaps more as CMP prices are bargain basement prices. Yours appears to be in better than average shape (bore condition is unknown to us) but the stock appears to have been refinished. Also, your stock appears to have a "notch" on the right side of the receiver heel - hard to tell from the photo. If so, it may be an IHC stock - a very sought after item. See http://www.trfindley.com/pgm1stkid.html & scroll down to "IHC notch" Refinishing would affect value of the stock. Is there a cartouche on the left side?