The Top 10 M1 Garand Rifles Sold By RIA

[painter777]

Not sure if this is old news (apologize if it is) but I just came across it today and thought I'd share it for those who haven't seen it.
Article/story is Dated 7-7-2017.
So prepare for the top 10.

To date (7-7-17) This is the world record for the most expensive M1 Garand ever sold... (not sure about buyer premiums).

$172,500


Here's a link to the article and the top 10 sold by RIA;

The Top 10 M1 Garand Rifles

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.

[Bob Seijas]

I have #17 that I think is a touch nicer than #15. I'm thinking of selling it, would hope to get $200K.
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[painter777]

Bob,
What a Gem !
Pretty much leaves one speechless......
My problem...... Seems I can't bring myself to sell anything, but do very well at buying.
Never expected to see anything like your's when I posted.
Sure Glad I did now.
Congrats and Thank you,

[Bob Seijas]

It's such an interesting rifle, clearly ancestral to the M1. Most people think JCG scaled it up after MacArthur killed the .276 but in fact he was working on both at the same time. The .30 cal. was well along, and I think MacArthur was aware of that when he insisted on the standard caliber. Note that it was ready to test in a matter of months.
Attachment 94334Attachment 94335

[browningautorifle]

I have #17

Very nice...

[painter777]

Bob,Gotta say..... Really impressed, again Thx for sharing it.

From the story link:

In 1931, twenty T3E2 rifles were built each chambered in .276 .

Only 20........ Probably safe to say JCG had his hands on it......

Link to the auction/pics/description for #15

Springfield Armory U.S. - T3E2-Rifle Firearms Auction Lot-1649

[painter777]

The U.S. Ordnance Board had been in the process of conducting testing and evaluating to select a new semi-automatic service rifle from 1922 through July 1929. After completion of all testing in July the 1929, The Service Rifle Selection Board issued their report in the fall of 1929 and of the candidates that actually completed all the testing requirements, only two candidates were recommended by the board the; T1 Pedersen rifle and the T3 Garand rifle. In their report they noted both candidates had numerous areas of superiority as well as several areas of defects. Based on the final report their recommendation was that the Chief of Ordnance proceed with the manufacture of an additional "20 T3 Garand rifles in caliber .276, eliminating the noted defects in the boards report and also improving the design. Additionally the board recommended that an additional "pilot" T3 Garand rifle be manufactured in ".30 Caliber". The first model was designated as the T3E1, this was the first series of rifles that eliminated the earlier deficiencies and the second series of rifles completed showed the improvements and were designated the Model "T3E2"

[Bob Seijas]

The 20 rifles ordered were to be tested against the 25 Pedersons already built. The nomenclature T3E1 was changed to E2 before any were made.

[Bob Seijas]

This Feb 1932 memo says $2500 is authorized for repair of the .30 Garand (some parts broke in testing at Aberdeen). It also says that a month earlier the testing board had recommended that 125 more T3E2 Garands be built but were turned down. The test of the .30 will be "finished in about a week" and if it is successful, they will start to build it at SA. It was, and that $100,000 left in the budget was enough to build 80 guns, the "Model Shop Rifles" begun in 1933.
Attachment 94351

[painter777]

Yea,
That makes it that much more interesting......... and by them rejecting the building of more just keeps it that much more of a rare piece.
I could see where that would be a hard thing to sell.
May come down to cutting the deck or a coin toss one day.
I'd add 'Enjoy it' but I'm sure you do/have.
Thx again for letting us share a small part of it's history.

Cheers