M1 GARRAND help.

[Allan P.]

I have been looking for an old spec deactivated M1 for some time and have come across this one.

http://www.dandbmilitaria.com/m1-gar...09--4090-p.asp

I am told that "It is manufactured by international harvester and is in good to very good condition. The woodwork is especially good."

I have heard that the wood can be replaced.

Would really appreciate any opinions you can give.

Thanks,

Allan

[Johnny Peppers]

I don't know about prices in England, but over $1800 is a way over priced here. With the bad wood I doubt it would sell for over $450/500 here. You also don't know if the barrel is correct to the rifle, as it looks like it went through rebuild at some time.
The rifle was probably built in the 1953/55 time period.

[Allan P.]

Thanks Johnny, I contacted the seller and asked if there was a manufacturer date but the only stamp on the barrel, near the breach is MD34.

Allan

[Johnny Peppers]

If the barrel was original to the receiver it would have LMR and a month/year stamp. LMR was the manufacturer of barrels for International Harvester.

[Allan P.]

Thanks very much for the information Johnny.

I will pass on this one.

Allan

[james m]

I think I saw recently where Sarco's had some deactivated "drill quality" M1s at a reasonable price. I don't know what kind of regulatory snag you'd hit in trying to import one.
Jim

[tracman]

While I can't comment on the UK deactivated firearms market, this price seems awfully steep for a Korean-War vintage M1 that appears to have been subjected to at least one major overhaul...

[uscob]

What makes it so special to get this price?
I got mine for 450 euros as the official price on a gun show and a trade dropped the price to 100 euros.

[Johnny Peppers]

I am told that "It is manufactured by international harvester and is in good to very good condition. The woodwork is especially good."

I have heard that the wood can be replaced.

The wood has been butchered by over sanding. The rear of the receiver doesn't come close to touching the wood, and I am betting it no longer locks up tight. A decent piece of wood would run the cost to well over $2000 U.S.

[FW 200]

Harvesters were mfg. during the 1950s, in case you were looking for a WW2 M-1. This rifle is worth whatever you can get-for the parts. With the pictures provided-it might bring $3-4 hundred dollars. Drill rifles are considered unsafe to shoot, as the barrels are usually welded to the receivers-changing the hardness of the steel. Safe, fully functional Garands can be purchased from the CMP, for $495., on up-but for US sales only. http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm

[Allan P.]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I will keep looking.

The UK have very strict rules regarding the purchase of deactivated weapons.

Allan

[FW 200]

Garands are like any other collectible-they can be humped up in many ways by motivated sellers. Also, the date on a barrel only tells one when the barrel was made, not the complete rifle. You need to research the serial number-the closer to the barrel date-the better the chance it's the original. But, having never collected deactivated weapons, I'm not sure how much original parts adds to their value.