Buying a restored Garand

[Greystone45]

I've been looking for a nice M1 Garand, one that I can go out and shoot and still say it was in WWII. Is it OK to buy a restored one? I found this one on GB and was hoping to get an honest opinion of what it's worth and if it would be a good buy? Also wondering what the hand written numbers could be on the trigger housing, thanks


Springfield M1 Garand...30 cal. w/bayonet : Semi-auto at GunBroker.com

Information

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[Rick Cummelin]

It sold for $1350. Given the mania these days, maybe that's an OK price, but it seems about $200-400 high to me.

Specific things I didn't like:

TWO electro-pencil marks indicating TWO arsenal rebuilds. These are on the receiver leg & look like scribbles. No photos of the trigger housing.

Cleaning kit was 1950s vintage--NOT WWII.

Modified Op Rod with relief cut.

Lots of obviously refinished parts, but it sure wasn't advertised as original, was it?

Repro sling? Never saw that stamp before.

Wrong scabbard for the bayonet. Scabbard is for a cut-down 16" bayonet.

Things I liked:

Looks like original GAW cartouche on the stock.

Interesting serial number.

Not enough detailed photos, but the parts I was able to see looked like possibly WWII-era parts. Hard to tell.

Maybe a decent barrel.

Did you buy it????

[Joe W]

It sold for $1350. Given the mania these days, maybe that's an OK price, but it seems about $200-400 high to me.

Specific things I didn't like:

TWO electro-pencil marks indicating TWO arsenal rebuilds. These are on the receiver leg & look like scribbles.

Wrong scabbard for the bayonet. Scabbard is for a cut-down 16" bayonet

Rick, The first electro-pencil marking "BA4" "9-65" is Anniston rebuild but the "scribles", if enlarged looks more like someone scratched their name on the receiver than a 2nd rebuild mark. As far as the scabbard, it would not bother me. The M3 scabbard was cut down to be used with the 10" bayonet. In service you would find either the M. 1905E1 or the M1 Bayonet in this scabbard. Ordnance made no distinction between the M7 scabbard or the converted M3 and either could be issued with either bayonet.
Strange that the seller raised the "BUY it Now" on the second auction from $ 1675. to $ 1699. Makes me think his reserve is pretty high.

[Greystone45]

No, it didn't meet the reserve and it's been relisted. Thanks for the information, I need to learn alot more before I buy one!

[RCS]

A well used early Winchester (restoration) with a WRA WB no-trap stock was sold at the last Baltimore show for over $4000.00

[mkrad]

That would likely be a safe queen and not a shooter

[gulliver62]

To me it is fine to buy a restored Garand. I believe I have only really seen one or 2 that were not restored to some degree no matter what anyone says.
You have a lot of options and I would think that you could get a nice example for $1100-$1400 and it would go up from there.
Depending on how much restoration you require, you could get an original barrel and receiver combo with a GI replacement stock. The marked WWII stocks add significantly to the price.
The other issue is that many of the original WWII barrels suffer from significant use and may or may not shoot as you would like.

The absolute best deals are those that went through a rebuild and got a new barrel, replaced any worn parts and probably a 1950's era stock. Can have a very nice one for around $800.

[bulldog_mack13]

Still looking for one?

[Tempest]

James River does a nice job.

[Kirk]

Have you considered going to the CMP South Store in Anniston, AL? NC is not far away. The CMP has many WWII vintage Garands for sale in their "Field Grade" and perhaps "Service Grade" selections. M1 Garand Sales
The armorers behind the counter are very helpful; if you explain what you want, they will help you find it. The CMP rifles will not be in as good condition (unless you buy the better grades but those are not WWII rifles) but will be $495 or $595 and authentic. Plus you can buy surplus M2 Ball ammo & bayonets there as well.