My Lucky Winchester M1 Find

[Rick B]

I hate to say it but it is a complete put together. The grooved band & guard band are Springfield and the stock not a early RS marked as it should be it looks to be a early GHD. The sight should be a Type one also. Safety is also incorrect . Rick B

[RCS]

Here is a photo of a WRA grooved lower band - this is original not faked, also some rear sight photos

[Bob Seijas]

The serial number is way too early for a CM op rod catch. I'm thinking a very well done restoration. The lack of a no-trap stock with RS stamp reinforces that. Those stocks bring thousands, so it makes the restoration prohibitively expensive.

[mbarrad]

The serial number is way too early for a CM op rod catch. I'm thinking a very well done restoration. The lack of a no-trap stock with RS stamp reinforces that. Those stocks bring thousands, so it makes the restoration prohibitively expensive.

Thanks for the info. LOL! I'll just tell myself it was a field replacement to make me feel better. It is what it is. I feel that I got a decent Winchester garand at a decent price.

[browningautorifle]

It's still a good example of an early gun. I'd love to have it just like it is! Nice to see they're still out there in some form or other!

[jmoore]

I've been playing w/ Garands since about 1983 and I still have yet to come across an early Winchester for sale that I thought was "correct" (as is) enough to buy. I don't generally buy off the internet though- I've got to be "hands-on" for such purposes- the last possible "correct" early M1 Winchester I saw sell went for about US$6000 on the internet- a buddy had bid it up over 4500, but we got scared to go higher- too many potential dramas!

[USSR]

Congrat's. The barrel, uncut op rod, and short fork follower rod alone are worth $1000, if you were to strip the rifle down and piece it out.

Don

[Bodyman]

There are some really great parts in there like that extra hole WRA hammer - super tough part for the early WRA guys to find. It might almost make you think that there were a few good parts on this one already and it was just helped but then you see the little bit later safety and start to lean more towards a nicely done resto. It is a tough era and it is almost a little crazy to try to bite one off (but worth the effort to loons like me). Heck, some guys never get to handle some of these parts like a numbered WRA gas cylinder and WRA checkered knobs.

The oprod catch is way too early to be in there and the barrel band looks to be an early SA instead of WRA. The stock appears to be a nice long channel I would put it in the GHD range but it could be a little earlier. But why pick it apart, it is a good looking rifle and heaven forbid you find a bit or two that you like better on there - you can always upgrade from what you have there already if you find them. Much of the fun is in the hunt for those tough, early parts.

Very neat find - congrats and thanks for sharing the great pictures.

I have seen that hammer in another substantially original 103,xxx. That extra-hole hammer is much tougher than a high on the right safety ... a factor of about 6 or 8 to 1 - that is pretty durned neat all by itself.

[DaveN]

I like it I like it I like it. once again I say to go perfect and you need to be very rich or prepare to be very poor. I dont think I will ever own one as nice as this one but the ones I own have history of use. that counts for me. enjoy your find.

[mbarrad]

Thanks to all for the great comments and honest straight forward truth. I am very happy with the rifle, and I will try to hunt down some of those needed parts. First item is going to be the WRA lower band. Next will be the safety, and then the op rod catch. Lots of time left in my life to hunt down the parts.