M1 Garand current market value

[UndeadSlayer]

32 minutes ago, everforward said:

Unaltered, original M1 rifles do exist, but as many have posted they don’t show up very often. I’m not sure that you can establish an accurate level of pricing on them, for ones I have seen have surfaced in everything from new unissued condition to (what I’d call) original and uncleaned, “found in the attic”…… not new but not messed with.

 

Some may remember the CMP auctions from around 2008-2009 when a very small amount of new 1944-production M1 Garands were discovered in a warehouse still in cosmoline…..most were carefully cleaned, some were left as-found ‘in the grease’, but once pictures were shown of a rifle in clean condition there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that they were exactly what they were described as— Flat-new, 1944 M1 Garands, all original right down to the last screw. When auctioned, these rifles went anywhere from $7500 to $9-$9500…..and again these prices are from 15-16 years ago. IIRC, there weren’t any Winchesters in the bunch.

 

In recent times many have sought out Garands that were part of the British Lend-Lease Program, as it’s believed most of these rifles basically just sat in storage during the war. So usually what you’ll find here is an M1 that is in original and unaltered condition that sat out the war….these are all 1941-1942 guns with early features with the addition of British proof markings when released. Collectors have been paying $5K-$6500 for these within the last 3-4 years.

 

Other original M1s with lots of condition sell from anywhere from $4K and up to the ‘name your price’ bracket of guns….price can depend on what you have in front of you.

 

One of my own Garands is the closest thing to a time capsule or an “attic find” that I’ve seen for one of these, and I believe it to be original and unaltered in all aspects….the sling is even original to the rifle, as close to petrified condition as you’ll find….trying to remove it would destroy it. The oiler and tool found in the butt trap are original and uncleaned, left just as they were found inside the stock. The Army is a big organization, wayyy bigger in WW2, and rifles came up lost or stolen, and then were out of circulation never to be subjected to upgrades or use of any kind. You can find others like mine out there from time to time, but a lot of it is confidence in knowing what you have in your hands, ‘buy the gun and not the story’…handle as many examples as you can, you can never stop learning.

 

That is similar to the M1 Garand that I am currently looking at but only it is in near excellent ++ condition. The rifle has a matching July 1942 barrel and the gas cylinder surprisingly has finish still on it.

[everforward]

1 hour ago, UndeadSlayer said:

That is similar to the M1 Garand that I am currently looking at but only it is in near excellent ++ condition. The rifle has a matching July 1942 barrel and the gas cylinder surprisingly has finish still on it.

 
If what you are looking for is a rifle that has never been messed with, you need to have it in hand and examine it…..examine it in great detail.

 

1.) Does it have all of the parts it was ASSEMBLED with (not asking if they are ‘correct’…..are they ORIGINAL to the gun…there is a difference)

 

2.) Do the parts in the rifle look as though they have wear consistent from being together since new…?

 

3.) Do all the parts (both wood and metal)  have their ORIGINAL finish…?

 

IMO trying to get answers to these questions with pics or over the phone or internet isn’t the same as having the rifle in your lap looking at it.

 

IF you are in a position to look at one in person and cannot answer the above questions for yourself confidently, then perhaps you should step back and keep studying. Buying something like this is ultimately done by yourself, and with confidence. Advice and opinions are cool and it’s good to have them, but the purchase isn’t done thru a committee.

 

These items aren’t cheap any longer…were they ever…? I can remember grumbling about buying one for $900 (almost 30 years ago, LOL)….but I must have done the right thing because I still have that one. 😁

[UndeadSlayer]

41 minutes ago, everforward said:

 
If what you are looking for is a rifle that has never been messed with, you need to have it in hand and examine it…..examine it in great detail.

 

1.) Does it have all of the parts it was ASSEMBLED with (not asking if they are ‘correct’…..are they ORIGINAL to the gun…there is a difference)

 

2.) Do the parts in the rifle look as though they have wear consistent from being together since new…?

 

3.) Do all the parts (both wood and metal)  have their ORIGINAL finish…?

 

IMO trying to get answers to these questions with pics or over the phone or internet isn’t the same as having the rifle in your lap looking at it.

 

IF you are in a position to look at one in person and cannot answer the above questions for yourself confidently, then perhaps you should step back and keep studying. Buying something like this is ultimately done by yourself, and with confidence. Advice and opinions are cool and it’s good to have them, but the purchase isn’t done thru a committee.

 

These items aren’t cheap any longer…were they ever…? I can remember grumbling about buying one for $900 (almost 30 years ago, LOL)….but I must have done the right thing because I still have that one. 😁

[everforward]

Yes, you posted these pictures on page one of the thread.

 

Is there anything you know about this rifle beyond these pictures..? What is your own assessment of it…? 
 

What do you like about it, or dislike about it….?

[UndeadSlayer]

I like the fact that it is really nice looking, the wood stock does not appear to be tampered with. I even called the dealer back and asked more about it, he said that the rifle doesn’t appear to be tampered with at all, he took the weapon apart and examined it. He said that the rifle is in the same condition as shown in the pictures including the very minor hairline crack at the upper rear handguard. The rifle is listed for sale by a reputable dealer that specializes in militaria and vintage firearms. 

[M1Garandy]

The description on the website where this is listed for sale appears that it has some discrepancies vs. the pics. The description lists this rifle as retaining an early Type 2 rear sight when this rifle appears to be wearing a TIII lockbar sight. It also states that the stock is marked S.A./FMF rather than S.A./EMcF. Are those just typos by the person that wrote the listing or?

 

I also note there is no description of the bore condition or barrel measurements, no statement that the rifle in question is original finish, if the breech is in the white, if the gas pad is chromed or unchromed and so on.

 

In this S/N range, I'd also likely expect a grooved handguard clip, front sight seal, short fork follower rod and a single slot gas plug at least two of which this rifle does not have based on the pics. Might also have had a checkered elevation cap originally which this rifle also does not have either. 

 

For that kind of money, I'd expect a description with correct info that is more complete/informative and preferably a data sheet that compares well with other documented original rifles. I often pay more attention to what the description does NOT say more than what it does say or implies.

 

There are a LOT of Garands for sale at any given time. Determine what exactly you want and then do your homework, ask questions, read, look at lots of pictures and then spend your money.

 

In addition to the CMP Forum mentioned earlier in this thread, the GCA is a great resource as well. 

 

Strictly my opinions, take them for what they are worth. 

[UndeadSlayer]

I called the seller and he said that the rifle does have the single slot gas plug, short fork follower, and the Earl McFarland inspector stamp on the stock. Upon calling up an old friend of my dad’s, he told me that M1 Garands at times had parts like the type 1 lockbar sights upgraded with the Type 2 sights due to issues with the type 1, he then told me that the later parts are still original to it’s WW2 service. He said that if I end up getting the rifle, he has the  grooved rear handguard clip and earlier type 2 lockbar sights, might even have a type 1 lockbar assembly if I wish to swap them out.

[M1Garandy]

All depends on what you want as you seem like you really like or want this particular rifle. 

 

Both the Flush Nut and Type I lockbar sights were swapped out to the later long pinion TII/TIII lockbar sights due to the shortcomings of the earlier type sights. 

 

Market price for a Type I lockbar sight (of which reproductions exist) is probably around a thousand dollars IF you can find one. it has been a long time since I saw one sell on the open market. A grooved handguard clip is probably $150 and up for a nice original finish unit. Not sure off the top of my head if this rifle should have a no clearance cut handguard on it as well but I don't believe it is currently wearing one. It's also pretty easy to crack a rear handguard changing the clip even with the proper tool 

 

Do you want a restored rifle, a mixmaster with a lot of WWII parts or do you want an original rifle?

 

What definition of "original" is at play here? 

 

Over the years I've seen "original" defined many ways in some cases based on who benefits most from that particular interpretation or definition including some that are above and beyond the below.

 

A WWII S/N Garand with no original parts could still be "original WWII" as the receiver is the firearm in the eyes of the ATF and that is from WWII.

 

A restored WWII S/N Garand could likewise be "original WWII" as all the parts are original to WWII though not original to a give S/N receiver.

 

A refinished WWII S/N Garand could likewise be "original WWII" as all the parts are original to WWII whether they are the original parts installed at the factory or not. 

 

I think a more commonly accepted definition by collectors would be that "original WWII" would be a WWII S/N SA or WRA receiver that has all the parts it left the factory with and has not been altered or refinished since new.  

 

That doesn't even count the use of repro parts, restamped original stocks, fake stocks, etc., etc. as high value parts have been faked for a long time.

 

Again, just my opinions.