Rocketman1234

[Rocketman1234]

Hi, just went to a gun show here in Texas today. A vender had several Garands with
serial numbers in the 4 to 5 Million range. Springfield models 1954/1955.
I checked what I had and I have a Springfield in excellant condition thats, serial #
37,256 (March/April of 1940). Is this a fluke or what?
Let me know your thoughts.
David L.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

How would that be a fluke? It's an early rifle(receiver) is all...I expect it's a rebuild and not a gas trap? I've see 153 and 154 here in Canada... How about pics?

[Rocketman1234]

Thanks Jim, being new to this site, I'm slowly learning the "ropes". I'll send pictures soon.
PS: What can you tell me about the CMP program. Someone at the gun show this weekend said they
have no more Garands, however they are coming out with the WWII 911's. Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks again for your comments.
Best Regards
David L.

[AFJon]

Whoever told you that is either misinformed or blowing smoke. CMP has received 86,000 from the Philippine Islands earlier this year and late last year had around 13,000 Turkish rifles returned plus whatever else was in the system.


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[browningautorifle]

Someone at the gun show this weekend said they
have no more Garands,

That was an attempt to make you jump on a sale...I expect. Education is everything...

[Rocketman1234]

Jim & AFJon, thanks for the info. Question: Aprox. What percent of M1 Garands that are in USA, and BC have "matching #"
Diamonds have the 3 C's to determine there value.
What determines the value of the other "zillion" rifles that are in our possesion?
Thank You for your imput.
David L.

[Bob Womack]

Jim & AFJon, thanks for the info. Question: Aprox. What percent of M1 Garands that are in USA, and BC have "matching #"

Well, first off, unlike some other countries, we didn't adopt a system with each part of each weapon carrying the weapon's serial number. It was assumed, and in fact came to pass, that we would build the rifles in such a way that little fitting would be necessary to exchange parts between rifles, so there was no point in serializing the parts. There were "drawing numbers" stamped on the parts to let armorers know what generation of production they came from. Barrels had a date, receivers had a serial, but that was it. In fact, at regional repair depots the rifles were disassembled, the various usable parts were thrown in barrels of kerosine containing only that type of part, everything was cleaned up, and new rifles were assembled from the parts. Towards the end of the war, FN in Belgium was contracted to begin rebuilding and packaging all the Garands to go back home and they used the same technique. So you see, complete rifles that contain the original parts are are rare as hens' teeth and the only way to prove that they are such is to have a chain of custody, ie. something like a presentation rifle presented to a known person with a certificate from the armory that built it.

Diamonds have the 3 C's to determine there value.
What determines the value of the other "zillion" rifles that are in our possesion?
Thank You for your imput.
David L.

There are a few of things: Rarity, maker, provenance, "correctness" of the collection of parts to a particular collectable period, state of the wood, state of the metal, state of the finish, state of the bore.

Rarity: There are certain characteristics such as an odd serial number or rare feature that increase the collector's value. A "Gas Trap" Garand, the first approach to utilizing the gas from the burning powder, with suitable period parts, would be collectable.

Maker: The fewer rifles a maker built, the more interest there is in acquiring one. Winchester-built rifles have a greater value, even though their production quality was spotty at best.

Provenance would include a documented chain of custody from armory to current owner but could be custody from a famous owner to current owner.

Correctness: A 1942 WWII example, for instance, that contains all parts that would be expected to be in a 1942 example, is of interest. It is extremely expensive to assemble some of these because everyone wants parts from the same period.

After that, we fall into the mild and wonderful realm of "mix-masters," those rifles that are collections of whatever parts worked and were assembled the last time they were touched by the military. For those, wood, metal, finish, bore, are the three (or four) "Cs."

By the way, we have a saying in the hobby: "Buy the rifle, not the story." That means that without documents to prove the originality or service of a rifle, it is only worth the value of its collected parts. Don't buy a rifle based upon unprovable claims because unprovable claims don't increase the value by a cent. When offered "George Patton's personal Garand" with no papers and it turns out to be a mix-master, offer the going rate for a CMP mix-master Garand in the same shape.

I hope that helps!

Bob


Bob

[Rocketman1234]

Bob, WOW that's awesome. Thanks for the info. We have another gun show this weekend. I can use your info to be a smarter buyer/seller
Thank You Again
David L.

[Snowman1510]

Rocketman, what gun show did you go to? I live nearby you and the only one I can think of at the moment is Saxet.

[Rocketman1234]

Snowman, I live close to cole park off of ocean drive. I went to the Shriner's show last weekend. Saxen is this weekend.
Maybe we can meet there?
Thanks for the Post.
David L.