Looking for my 1st M1 Garand

[Orlando]

You arent getting it, go back and read post #7 . With pics all you can be told is if the rifle has the correct parts, not original parts.
There is a huge difference between "correct" parts/ garand and "original" parts/garand.
I am not saying your"dealer" is trying to cheat you. He may not be a expert on Garands. If he was he wouldnt be telling you the rifle is original without a papertrail.
We could look at the rifle and tell you it "may or could" be orignal but again, without proof, provenace or paper trail its nothing more than a educated guess. IMO $2000 is to much for a educated guess
You seem to have your mind made up already so good luck

[Mikesm44]

Orlando, no you are not being rude. I trust the dealer, I've done 5 transactions with him, all positive. He's willing to provide any requested pictures that might be needed.
I just need a list of what's needed regarding additional pictures, and specific questions if there are any.

Without documentation even a CMP (or DCM) rifle is really just a rebuild. It is as these others are saying "a story". It cannot be verified and unless you are very good or lucky you will not be able to tell the difference.

[Bill Hollinger]

David, there is an old saying in the gun collecting world; "buy the gun, not the story". Meaning, never trust what the seller tells you about a collector type weapon. Always do your homework as Orlando said and you will decrease the chances of you getting burned in a purchase. Unfortunately you can still do all the due diligence humanly possible and still get burned. You can take what Orlando says as gospel because he is one of out most knowledgeable authorities on the M1 rifle here at Milsurps.com.

As for me, I have my doubts on the rifle in that I believe the milled trigger guard is too early for the serial number. That said, there is another saying we collectors use; "never say never and never say always". Meaning anything is possible. Even if the trigger guard is too early nothing says it may not have been on hand to be used at the time of build.

Good luck with your purchase and please keep us posted.

[lkgmadmax]

David, there is an old saying in the gun collecting world; "buy the gun, not the story". Meaning, never trust what the seller tells you about a collector type weapon. Always do your homework as Orlando said and you will decrease the chances of you getting burned in a purchase. Unfortunately you can still do all the due diligence humanly possible and still get burned. You can take what Orlando says as gospel because he is one of out most knowledgeable authorities on the M1 rifle here at Milsurps.com.

As for me, I have my doubts on the rifle in that I believe the milled trigger guard is too early for the serial number. That said, there is another saying we collectors use; "never say never and never say always". Meaning anything is possible. Even if the trigger guard is too early nothing says it may not have been on hand to be used at the time of build.

Good luck with your purchase and please keep us posted.

Thank you guys! I've ordered some books on the M1 Garand so that will be a bit better armed before making that purchase decision.
Thanks to all for for the input, much appreciated. -David

[Orlando]

I am far from being the most knowledgeable but I have been around the block.

To the OP, you dont undertsand. There is no book that is going to help you.
Are you looking for a Original Garand or a Correct Garand, do you undertsand the difference between the two?

[lkgmadmax]

I am far from being the most knowledgeable but I have been around the block.

To the OP, you dont undertsand. There is no book that is going to help you.
Are you looking for a Original Garand or a Correct Garand, do you undertsand the difference between the two?

Orlando I think the best I can hope for and can afford at this time will be an era "correct" M1, consisting of the proper components from the serial number range time frame of the receiver and barrel, would that make sense to you? Can anyone prove that have a 100% from the factory original, I think not but then again I haven't been around the block but I'm on my way

[Orlando]

OK , now we are getting somewhere. You stated before that the rifle was unmessed with which would mean all original parts as it left the manufacture. Now you are looking for a all correct Garand.
The are Original rifles out there but you will pay heavily for them.
IMO $2200 is high for a correct 1944 Garand , you can do better if you look around. $2200 is a steal for a original
If you are set on the one you are looking at you need pics of receiver internals, pic of trigger group and internal markings, pic of oprod markings,
Pic or gas screw, Is gas port pad chromed or parkerized?

The stock concerns me as I belive it should be a SA /GAW but I may be wrong . That may have been the cut off with overlap

[lkgmadmax]

OK , now we are getting somewhere. You stated before that the rifle was unmessed with which would mean all original parts as it left the manufacture. Now you are looking for a all correct Garand.
The are Original rifles out there but you will pay heavily for them.
IMO $2000 is high for a correct 1944 Garand , you can do better if you look around.
If you are set on the one you are looking at you need pics of receiver internals, pic of trigger group and internal markings, pic of oprod markings,
Pic or gas screw, Is gas port pad chromed or parkerized?

The stock concerns me as I belive it should be a SA /GAW. The stock that is on it is to late for your serial range

I know Bill pointed out that it had a milled trigger housing, this would not be proper for the serial number range from some searches on the web it would have belonged to an earlier production rifle. Now I have read that the cartouche was used on later in the war period after George Woody passed away, maybe the stocks were stamped in advance of his death and they needed to be used up. The answers to the other questions you have asked I'm not sure about (the seller was willing to tear it down and provide photos) and to be honest if the trigger assembly isn't correct for a 1944 I probably will not pursue this rifle further. Thanks for all of the assistance! -David

[tom gray]

Stocks would not be stamped in advance as they are acceptance stamps. The rifle must pass
final acceptance before it is stamped. It is possible the new stamp was not yet available so the
old one was used.
Tom

[rustyseal]

For $2000 its a restored rifle not original. Either that or the seller doesnt know what he has .
Before laying down that kind of cash you need to do your homework or you could end up with a $700 mixmaster

Just got a mixmaster $710 a SA 200,0XX and it been rework about 2 time that can tell. Not a $2000 its been used. I was in the Army for 2 year and that what i had.