Big 5 Garands

[Calif-Steve]

I visited my local Big 5 store yesterday. The store manager told me he had just received 2 Garands. I took a look at the best of the two. It was recent Century (?) import, 5.8 million SA built. It look beat up, black wood, broken rear handguard dirty. It appeared complete and the bore was full of grease. Priced at $800.00, the manager told he expected to have it in the store for sometime to come.

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[Bill Hollinger]

At that price? I would think he would.

[greendevil41]

New to the boards here. I just saw one of these Big 5 pieces today after being told they had them. There was only one and it was a horrific piece that
I didn't even ask to see. Black stock and no finish with pitting.

On the plus side, I just found an 6 digit 8-42 dated Springfield rifle in a local pawn shop. All the correct original early parts (still has the front sight screw seal on it) and appears to match Duff's book except for the type 2 lockbar sight and even that looks like it's been on the rifle since it was made and may be correct. Only other thing not right is a SA/GAW marked stock. Even has an early sling with brass fittings. Price was $700.00. That one went on layaway quick!

Anyway, unless they get some nicer examples, the Big 5 M1 rifles won't be big sellers.

[M1Riflenut]

New to the boards here. I just saw one of these Big 5 pieces today after being told they had them. There was only one and it was a horrific piece that
I didn't even ask to see. Black stock and no finish with pitting.

On the plus side, I just found an 6 digit 8-42 dated Springfield rifle in a local pawn shop. All the correct original early parts (still has the front sight screw seal on it) and appears to match Duff's book except for the type 2 lockbar sight and even that looks like it's been on the rifle since it was made and may be correct. Only other thing not right is a SA/GAW marked stock. Even has an early sling with brass fittings. Price was $700.00. That one went on layaway quick!

Anyway, unless they get some nicer examples, the Big 5 M1 rifles won't be big sellers.

Sounds like you might have stole that one!! Nice find.
Do not think the sight and stock are "wrong". Maybe not correct for when it was made but very well could be original to a wartime upgrade.

Now,excuse me for being ingnorant,but what is the "Big5"? Is that a store chain? Never heard of it.

[dryheat]

Big five is a sporting goods store. You name it,from basketballs to guns. I visited mine and they had a garand also. Pretty much the same description: dirty,cracked actually missing some small parts,sure not worth $800.

[Calif-Steve]

A Garand WITH an early sling? Hate to tell you what early brass slings are going. Easy $100.00. Good find!!

[greendevil41]

Yeah, this one surprised me too because the more I looked at it, the more I realized that it was correct other then the nice condition SA/GAW stock. Unmodified -3 op rod, short fork rivited follower rod, -12 bolt, single slot gas cylinder lock screw, chamber in the white, -3 hammer, -9 safety etc. In fact, everything lined up with the Duff book except the type II lock bar sights and those show up on the December '42 gun in his field guide so I think they're actually original issue to this piece since nothing else on the gun has been changed out and the finish on the sight assy matches the gun exactly. Anyone know for sure when these Type II's started showing up on '42 rifles? Apparently a few people had looked at it but thought the price was too high. Wait till they get to Big 5 and see what they get for a hundred dollars more!

[EdG]

greendevil41,
I have a 986xxx Nov. ’42 rifle with the type 2 long pinion lock bar. The elevation cap is checkered. Have always felt this rifle to be original but the rear sight could be an update. Yours could be original although I would have expected a type 1 short pinion lock bar. As time goes on more and more info will come out. Many ideas about parts have changed over the last few years. For me, the 800000-range rifles in original configuration have been the hardest WWII to find. As yet, I still do not have an original example. I think you’ve made a good find at a very good price.
What is the heat lot of your -12 bolt? I want to guess W9B.

[greendevil41]

Ed,
Yep! W9B. I can't wait to get it home!

[EdG]

Bingo on the bolt heat lot!!! W9B is ubiquitous in that serial number range.
It appears you’ve got a near-original WWII M1.
The rear sight pinion and lock bar are questionable but as others have said, I would not change them just now, if ever.
Only the stock can be said to be changed for sure.
Again, great find. I’m still looking for an original 800000 and one as close as yours especially at that price would get my approval.
Great eye, greendevil41!!! Thanks for sharing.