I think I have an original.....

[jaken]

A good friend of mine collects Garands and has well over 50 in his vault. I was talking to him and told him I had gone the CMP route and gotten a very nice Korean war Garand but really wanted a WWII vintage rifle since my Dad had fought in the Bulge. He originally obtained most of his Garands back when CMP allowed Garand Collectors Association folks to come volunteer at Anniston. He was interested in thinning out his collection a little to someone who would respect the rifle for what it was.To make a long story a little shorter he brought 3 rifles for me to look at. I picked the best looking one of the three and he told me he believed it to be all original. I trust him explicitly but want to verify everything in my own mind.

With what little I know about Garands....the barrel date matches the receiver and the stock has the correct cartouches for the date. Lockbar rear site and an unrelieved operating rod. Thats basically as far as I can go with Canfields book. Where can I find information on drawing numbers and heat lots and such without spending more money than I paid for the rifle in books? I know this is the right place to ask as you folks seem to be the real deal here.

Information

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[Joe W]

Get one more book. "The M1 Garand: World War ll" by Scott Duff. It should tell you most of what you are looking for'

[rifle guy]

+1 on the WWII book by Duff, buy both while you at it since you are "NOW AMONG US"!!!

rifle guy @ LSC

[Bear57]

......COLLECTING THE GARAND II, by J.C.Harrison

Research is half the fun....good luck and good shooting...

[Bodyman]

Get Scott Duff's red (WWII) book, and then I would strongly suggest actually reading it (grin) - it is still the standard. The others will confuse you and there are many errors to lead you astray - stick to Scott's and ask questions (here).



Here is the link - give him a call. He's a great guy and most of the time he actually picks up the phone himself (which initially took me about 5 phone calls to figure out ...). But be careful on the rest of his site - it will suck your wallet out thru your eyeballs (not his fault, it is just cool stuff - most of it is on consignment and IMHO he is far from the priciest for the stuff he sells). No affiliation other than respect, just a solid recommendation - he won't steer you wrong.

Scott Duff Publications & Historic Martial Arms: M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M1903, Krag, M1911A1

I also recommend Bruce Canfield's Garand and Carbine book - in it you will find a taste of just about everything. It is a great survey book and will lead you in directions that you didn't know existed.

http://www.scott-duff.com/CanfieldM1_M1.jpg_70.JPG

Now from there I will tell you to get Billy Pyle's Gastrap Garand book, but you may want to wait and save your pennies before you get hooked into the "numbered strain" of Garanditis (you'll see ...). Awesome book, but if you get hooked over there it really gets pricey and fast. Great book but it is like playing with nitro-glycerine for a die-hard Garand addict.

http://www.scott-duff.com/225.jpg

That will get you started and then some. Tell Scott that jeff the Bodyman says "Hey".

[Mr Hanky]

M1 Garand Photo Essay by Larry Babcock is the best book on the market right now because it has.... you guessed it PHOTOS! lol seriously though I love the book and it's has parts break bown for all 4 makers with pictures of almost everything. He gives you the serial # range for parts too which is what you need.

[jaken]

I have ordered the book and will post some pictures soon.

[Dan Shapiro]

jaken:
Beware of people like Scott and Bodyman. They are what is known as "enablers" amongst us Garandaholics. It started simply enough, brought a couple of rifles from Scott. When he didn't have what I wanted, he turned me on to Mike Poppernack, and Ken McPheeters, and Dick Hosmer, and Al Frasca. Then there's Bodyman. When I needed a Winchester part, he'd steer me to a couple of 'sources'. My poor wallet and credit card! Besides Garands, I now have a sample of each of the major muskets and rifles used by infantrymen from 1776-Korea. But it gets even worse. Can't have the musket or rifle without the bayonet. And if you're gonna have the bayonet you need the tools that were issued with each rifle at user level to maintain it.

Let's face it, you've joined the legion of the damned.

[drshame]

Just remember, an Original CMP / USGI rifle has usually been serviced several times with the military armorers replacing worn parts throughout it's service life.
When it comes from CMP...it's "Original GI" for the most part.
When you start changing parts to their "originals" it's no more authentic than the USGI Version from CMP or a Military Armory.

That said...I did find a SA/GAW stock for my 1943 Springfield CMP Lockbar-Sighted Garand with what looks like it's original 1943 Springfield Barrel.

It's not "Original" but it makes me enjoy it better..so we're all guilty of messing with "CMP Perfection" for our own vanity!

[Calif-Steve]

Jaken: From the very brief description of the Garand, you did OK. I think it is a real keeper, good luck.