M1 Garand Blue Sky Imports....questions???

[Bear57]

I've been hearing about these M1's identified as BLUE SKY Imports and understand their value is questionable. Can anyone enlighten me as to the background on these "Blue Sky Garands" and how they came to be? ......Thanks.......

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[Texasflyboy]

I've been hearing about these M1's identified as BLUE SKY Imports and understand their value is questionable. Can anyone enlighten me as to the background on these "Blue Sky Garands" and how they came to be? ......Thanks.......

"Blue Sky" refer to USGI M1 Garands & M1 Carbines which were imported into the U.S. from former allies that were given these weapons post World War II.

I am not sure, but believe the first batch came from South Korea War Reserves. But, where they came from for the import process is irrelevant. They were all born in the USA.

Blue Sky refers to the required stamping that the importer must stamp on the weapon. These rifles were stamped with "Blue Sky xxx" (Can't remember if it was Blue Sky Inc. or something else). They were usually stamped on the barrel or in some cases, on the receiver. Since the importer stamped "Blue Sky" on the rifles, folks started referring to these repatriated rifles as "Blue Sky Rifles".

There are two generally accepted schools of thought regarding these rifles:

Thought 1: They are original USGI rifles that were given to US allies and then imported back into the USA. When the importer stamped "Blue Sky" certain magical mysterious changes occurred in metallurgy that rendered these weapons suspect. The exact details are classified. If you are selling one, the Blue Sky Import stamp commands a small premium. If you are buying one the Blue Sky import stamp is the same as a shock sensitive explosives label. Touch it and you may die.

Thought 2: The import stamp is of little consequence. It's an original USGI rifle. If the stamp bothers you, re-barrel the rifle and voila! Instant collector. It's like it never left the country. However, if you do change the barrel, please don't post it on the Internet. There are several thousand folks patiently waiting behind their keyboards to pounce on you for violating federal law for doing so. Me included.

(Shift S engaged) - Since they have been imported, not a single rifle has ever had a barrel change, so your chances of encountering a rifle that was imported as a "Blue Sky" but had its barrel changed is exactly zero.

That's the nickel tour of the Blue Sky saga.

[Bill Hollinger]

The only things that cause the rifle to be worth less is the "Blue Sky" stamping is usually very heavy, that and it is an import.

I have seen the stampings so heavy they distort the barrel.

[JBS]

One other thing to look at. At one time blue sky struck their import stamp a bit over zealous on the barrel. I believe most of these were carbines. The rumor was because ATF gave them a talking to about how light and hard to see their early mark was. The result was some barrels were struck so hard the bore was oval under the stamp. Some people that were buying a lot of rifles for shooters and parts would take a bore straightness rod with them to check for bore crush under the stamp.

[Bear57]

"There are several thousand folks patiently waiting behind their keyboards to pounce on you for violating federal law for doing so." ?????

What does the Federal law prohibit and why is it illegal? Thanks..

F.Y.I., there is a Garand on GB right now ( Auction # 145546882) that has this stamp on the front of the barrel.


Great responses and now have a better understanding.......thank you!.......Barry

[Charlie59]

I want to know why someone can't re-barrel a Blue Sky myself. If I found one cheap with a bad barrel, I wouldn't worry about changing it. As long as I don't try to chisel a possible buyer by claiming the rifle is all original, I don't see a problem. Now, if 'blue shy' is stamped on the receiver, Federal law says you can remove NO METAL from any semi auto receiver.

[Texasflyboy]

What does the Federal law prohibit and why is it illegal? Thanks..

That is a *very* good question. Note: I am not an attorney nor do I play on on TV or the Internet.

ATFE is now accepting applicants to test via the court system the applicability and legality of:

Section 922 <- Link

(k) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to transport,
ship, or receive, in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm
which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number
removed, obliterated, or altered or to possess or receive any
firearm which has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial
number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at any time, been
shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Volunteers will need to appear with a visibly altered weapon that violates the "spirit" (ahem) of 922(k) and plead their case before the court. Your argument could well be that an importers name is not a serial number unless ATFE disagrees with you. If so...game on.

ATFE will likely argue that in order to properly trace weapons back to the importer they will need the importers name, without the name, no trace.

I would advise bringing large amounts of cash and time.

By the way, the way this was explained to me by a real honest to God lawyuh when I was in Texas at a gunshow:

"Say you're standing at the border between the USA and [insert country here]. You have a rifle in your hands. You want to come across the border with your rifle. The customs officer tells you "You can't bring that there rifle with you unless you stamp your name on it as the importer. Once you do that, you can legally cross the border with that rifle". Big deal you say. So you drop the rifle on a nearby convenient pantograph table and engrave your name on it. You step across the border and immediately whip out a surface grinder and sand off your name.

The customs officer rolls his eyes, sighs heavily and whacks you over the head with a sap and then handcuffs you. Days later you stand in front of a Federal Judge and say "But your honor, I did what he told me!".

I still giggle when I think of that scenario....

[JBS]

That’s what has always been the argument. Does the import stamp constitute a serial number or part of it. ATF has no humor on this. I guess they got tired of being laughed at by the Department of Defense people when they showed up and asked where a certain rifle went by Ser number.

[Bear57]

Gentlemen.....

Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this topic. It has been very enlightening. Now I can understand why folks stay away from Blue Sky Garands and Carbines. Anytime anyone has to deal with the Government, it seems to turn into a legal nightmare, or at best, a test case (no thank you). Thanks and good shooting.....

[Prince Humperdink]

What about buying an import marked barrel? These are sold by several surplus houses legally, and belong to no rifle.If You put one on a CMP receiver or whatever that stamp is meaningless.I actually got a CMP US Army rifle with an Arlington Ord stamp on the barrel,The barrel was toast and it is GONE now!