Original M-1 Garand Value
My wife's father, a WWII Army vet, just passed away and we're valuing remaining items from his estate so the siblings all get an equal share. One of the estate items my wife and I want is Dad's M-1 Garand. It's a Springfield rifle that's all original and all matching. Dad was issued the brand new rifle when he completed advanced training as a radio/telephone lineman just before shipping out for Europe in Jun 1944. He carried the rifle throughout the war and only fired it a few times at a strafing ME-109 during the Battle of the Bulge. He kept the rifle when he returned to the States, transporting it piecemeal in his duffle bag, and just walked off with it when he mustered out. He fired it a few times since the war, but not much. For the most part, it just stayed in his gun cabinet and he took it out occasionally to wipe it down and tell a story or two.
I don't have the serial number immediately on hand, but the rifle is a beauty. The stock has a few nicks in the wood from hauling it in and out of a Jeep during the war, but the walnut stock bears deep, distinct cartouches and the color matches throughout. The metal wears the original Parkerized finish and, though it's not perfect, it's in amazingly good shape....I'd say 95%. And, since Dad carried it from start to finish, it was never rebuilt in the field or stateside. We have pictures of Dad carrying the rifle during the war and a notable one taken just after he blazed away at the ME-109 (he didn't hit it). We also have a letter he wrote, giving all the details about the rifle, and telling how he brought it home after the war.
So, we have a combat vet M-1 Garand in original condition and all matching. I know it's worth a pretty penny and we're not interested in selling it. But, we would like to put an honest value on the rifle to help fairly divide up the estate. Can anyone help?
I don't have the serial number immediately on hand, but the rifle is a beauty. The stock has a few nicks in the wood from hauling it in and out of a Jeep during the war, but the walnut stock bears deep, distinct cartouches and the color matches throughout. The metal wears the original Parkerized finish and, though it's not perfect, it's in amazingly good shape....I'd say 95%. And, since Dad carried it from start to finish, it was never rebuilt in the field or stateside. We have pictures of Dad carrying the rifle during the war and a notable one taken just after he blazed away at the ME-109 (he didn't hit it). We also have a letter he wrote, giving all the details about the rifle, and telling how he brought it home after the war.
So, we have a combat vet M-1 Garand in original condition and all matching. I know it's worth a pretty penny and we're not interested in selling it. But, we would like to put an honest value on the rifle to help fairly divide up the estate. Can anyone help?
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If it is as you claim, an 100% original WWII Springfield with a mid war production date, then it is easily worth $2000+ depending on just when it was produced (the earlier the rifle the more valuable). An actual appraisal by an M1 expert like Scott Duff would be the order of the day here. There are very few truly original M1s out there and those that do appear are from the same source as your Dad's: They took it home with them. 0 -
While I believe your description of what the rifle went through, in order to "get full value" at a sale (not that I believe you're selling), you have to prove provenance. A photo of your Pop with the M1 in WWII may be good enough for you, but unless it shows the s/n or the rifle is somehow so distinctive that it is plainly the same rifle, then you cannot use that photo to "prove" the rifle in the photo and the rifle you have are the same to a buyer. See what I mean? The photo proves much to you because you know the story is true. Any buyer would (or should) want proof that shows him- not you- the proof. Without that, the photo is an interesting footnote that means much to the family but can't prove the provenance of the rifle, unfortunately
So in order to gauge value, you really need to look at the "extra" stuff you have and really be brutally critical of it, which will be hard to do
I see folks trying to sell WWII M1s that are not nearly as correct as your Dad's for near to 2 grand at shows
I agree with Mark, you need an expert to actually handle the rifle, and he or she can judge the rifle on its own merits
I'd love to see some photos of the rifle if you have any, being an M1 enthusiast
PS
I hope that the rifle stays in your family for years to come0 -
The rifle is currently across the country in Pennsylania, so I'll try to post some pictures when we get it home.
I appreciate the candid inputs. I realize proving provenance will be harder than just showing the picture. I was hoping Dad's letter would help, but I think he also might have some other Army paperwork somewhere that might help. I remember him showing it to me at one time years ago, but who knows if he kept it or where it might be. Well, if nothing else, we know what we have. As I said, we're not going to sell it. We're only putting a value on it to be fair to my wife's siblings. Hopefully, this piece will be an heirloom that'll be passed from generation to generation. I know my 21-year-old son already loves the thing and would cherish it as much as his mom and I do.0 -
If your father happended to mention the serial number in the letter, that will help with the bona fides. 0 -
Whether or not you ever get photos is up to you but when you do see the rifle take a quick look for one specific item: The right side elevation pinion for the rear sight. If it looks like this one, with a bar on the side, then you are on the right track. If it does not have this style rear sight then the rifle is not everything that you think it is and values fall off fast.
This is what you want to see:
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You do not want to see this style sight:
[img][/img]0 -
The lock bar on the right looks like a reproduction! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
The lock bar on the right looks like a reproduction!
LIKE HELL! There is a Type II on the left and a Type III on the right and no M1 of mine will ever have a reproduction part on it...EVER!0 -
ACTUALLY the rifle is stolen and is still us property and may be listed but i doubt it as so many records were lost etc. I would sure be carefull if your dads letter actually describes his shipping home or whatever in parts. Drop the story and post a pic with a partial ser# and a pic of all the parts broken down for us to evaluate for you
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Simply show the siblings a price list from the cmp for a service grade M1 Garand $595.00 and divide that by the number of siblings lets say 4 so 3 sibling will be given 150.00 and you get the rifle. That is a easy way to do it and it would be fair since your taking the chance of it maybe being listed somewhere although i dont think it is. What say you guys does this sound fair?0 -
The rifle definitely has the lock bar sights. 0 -
The comment about stolen property reminded me of my uncle who was a PBY crewmember during WWII. He brought his Colt 1911 home after the war and kept it until about 1950. By then he was working for the US Post Office and began to have guilt pangs about keeping his Navy pistol. He thought a Navy SWAT team would come barreling into his house some evening, drag him off to Levenworth, and he'd lose his government job. So, he took the pistol with him on his delivery route early one morning and, stopping on a bridge, he pitched the 1911 into the drink. Now that's another one I'd love to have!! 0
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