SA Garand with low serial #

[enfieldman]

Hi;
I have a Springfield M1 Garand with a serial # below 50,000
which is in excellent shape. All parts are SA, but the barrel date is 1963 also SA.
I believe Garands with serial #`s up to 50,000 were originally built with `gas trap`
cylinders that were upgraded later??? This Garand has all nice, crisp SA cartouches
and inspection stamps, the metal and stock is in excellent shape. She is an wonderful
accurate shooter. I paid $500 CDN for it some years ago. Anyone have any idea about
what it would be worth today?? Are low serial #`ed Garands sought after??
Going by the serial # she was built in 1940`s.

Phil (enfieldman)

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Short answer is yes they are sought after. Unfortunately someone will tear it down to "restore" it if you sell it. You would have to put it on Gunbroker or an equal site to let it find it's own value.

[RCS]

If you receiver is around the 50,000 serial range it could have had a gas trap barrel or a gas port barrel either June or July 1940(gas port being dated). Regardless of the barrel/gas cylinder needed for a restortation, the keystone & comp springs, SA SPG no-trap stock and the early rear sight group would also be required ! Few of these parts are even available and if available, at very high prices. The restoration of these early receivers is about over.

Like Jim stated, just leave it alone

[rice 123]

I had a 4 digit years ago I had to rebarrel it as the 55 dated barrel was trash. so I puton a 43 barrel and all 43 period parts I figured to make it look like a wartime rebuild. I that was the only economical way to go. if the 55 barrel was good I would haver left it alone

[enfieldman]

Hi;
Her serial # says she was built in May 1940, so i would say definitely my M1 is an original gas trap.
I think i`ll keep her, she`s beautiful. Thanks alot..

[Bob Seijas]

Not necessarily a gas trap ... there was a fairly large serial number dispersion in the assembly process, SA made gas ports as low as 44,000. Odds are good that it was a gas trap, but you find both types in the 45,000 to 51,000 range. You can't guarantee a serial number was made in a particular month because of the range of serial-numbered receivers used.