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Originally Posted by ToiletDuck
In the local paper here today there is an personal ad for 2 garands. It reads that these rifles are from the springfield armory and they also put the first 3 number into the serial codes follows by x's and then agin in a second set. E.G 999xxx 999xxx.
I called today and it turns out this gentleman is a collector and part of a m-1 society here locally. The 2 that he has for sale are a 1942 and a 1944 model. He's asking 650. for each. I really want to get me an m-1 as i have wanted one for a long time now. What should i look for when i go to check these rifles out?  |
The WWII, Springfield built ones were about the nicest of the Garands (according to last months article on the Winchester made ones in American Rifleman). The price is fair too if they are in reasonable shape. At the show I was at last month, Korean service junkers were priced near there. But here is the thing, you really need to know these guns to know whether or not it is a spruced up POS or a gem. I sure don't.
Case in point, the FFL dealer I buy from regularly had one for sale that to my eye, looked like a fair deal. It was clean overall, the park was good and the wood was very nice too. His comment was "You really don't want that one, it's a mutt & needs work. I'll probably have to spend some money on it to be sure it doesn't come back."
Not trying to scare you off, just be sure you are cautious. That said, I've got a mint National Match that is near perfect in everyway and shoots like it. It is my favorite on the range and overall, a remarkable piece of engineering. If I could only have one rifle, this would be my choice without regret.
soundmotor