Type 1 NM MAYBE

[Joe W]

Today, in a local gun shop, I saw what appeared to be a Type 1 N.M. without any documentation. Rifle appeared to be an all correct 5.83 with NM marked 3 of 55 barrel. Appeared that other that SA targeting and proofing the rifle was unfired.
The barrel had the correct proof marks for a NM rifle.
The fact that there was no star after the NM barrel marking seemed to rule out late 1956 and 1957. No wedges in recoil shoulders seemed to rule out 1958. No date codes seemed to rule out 1959 and 60,61 and 62 Type 1, rebuilt to Type 2. The F65 barrel ruled out 1963. So I am left with, most likely, late 1955, early 1956. I don't think it is faked in any way..
The shop said that they felt it was a CMP rifle as it was full of grease when they got it and took a few hours to clean.
If the rifle is in fact an undocumented Type 1 what do you think the value should be ?
As it stands, I don't want to take the gamble that CMP may not be able to verify a DCM sale. If it is a CMP sale of a NM Greek return, I am not interested at the asking price of $ 1925.00 plus tax.
My thought is if it were a service rifle and not a NM, in the condition it is in, it would be worth about $ 1100.00.

Information

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[Mark in Rochester]

are there any marks on the top of the receiver behind the handguard?

[Joe W]

are there any marks on the top of the receiver behind the handguard?

No. What mark would you expect to see ??

[Mark in Rochester]

No. What mark would you expect to see ??

a partial x

[Joe W]

a partial x

Mark, I never heard of "X" or partial "X" on the receiver being an indication of a NM rifle.

[Mark in Rochester]

Joe

I have a 4.3 Garand with original barrel.

The barrel is stamped NM back near the receiver.

When showed to a well versed Garand collector he conceded that the barrel was original to the receiver and was quick to point out the x on top of the receiver ring.

Additionally he indicated he had seen a few other Garand's that had an X marked on top of the receiver but could not state what this indicated

[Bob Seijas]

Recall that DCM began selling NMs in very late 1955, but not many, and most were left over in inventory. Heavy mail order sales began in 1956 with the stated objective "every effort will be made to provide a new rifle." Some of the leftover 1955s were rebuilt and upgraded but a significant number remained in inventory as school rifles and loaners until 1974 when they were given to Greece. Most were well used by the Greeks, but I saw a couple of beauties that looked original while doing research at CMP several years ago. The problem with the Greek NMs, of course, is that there is no DCM documentation and never will be. CMP documentation is visual speculation: they look like NMs, we gave Greece NMs, therefore it is an NM.
On the other hand, I have always said that in the absence of documentation, an NM rifle must stand on its own. If it is minty and has "that look," it probably is an NM.

[Calif-Steve]

I was in an Army Reserve SMU, Special Marksmanahip Unit. We had tons of NM parts and could make up a nice NM in 2-3 days. Does the shop know anything about the rifle? Get CMP to run the SN for you. Without documentation it is a nice $850.00 keeper. Mind you, I would not tell the shop what CMP says no matter what.

[Bob Seijas]

Lack of a star does not rules out 1956 and 1957.

[Joe W]

Lack of a star does not rules out 1956 and 1957.

Bob, Would I have been correct had I said that the lack of the star stamping would have ruled out "late 1956 and early to mid 1957" or, is it that all rifles prepared for the 1957 matches, either were not subjected to the new accuracy requirements or were, but were not stamped ?? Thanks for your reply, Joe

---------- Post added at 12:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 PM ----------

I was in an Army Reserve SMU, Special Marksmanahip Unit. We had tons of NM parts and could make up a nice NM in 2-3 days. Does the shop know anything about the rifle? Get CMP to run the SN for you. Without documentation it is a nice $850.00 keeper. Mind you, I would not tell the shop what CMP says no matter what.

I understand what you are saying Steve but this rifle has the barrel that would be correct for the period of manufacture and is proof stamped as a NM rifle should be. I believe the NM barrels used by the AMU's and other military service armorers would have been NM replacement barrels and not so proofed.
I was thinking of trying for CMP verification but if it came back as positive and the rifle was already sold, I would be kicking myself, but than again, if I was to buy it and it came back negative from CMP I would really be kicking myself. Maybe better I just forget about it.