Came across an M1 Garand and Carbine. Requesting information.

[Boomm]

I recently came across an M1 Garand and Carbine. I do not know much at all about these rifles. I've done a little bit of research, but I really do not know where to start and I was wondering if you guru's could educate me. Also, any ideas on the values?


Springfield M1 Garand
Serial: 542xxxx










Inland M1 Carbine
Serial: 520xxxx








Seems to me that they have definitely been taken care of. No rust or anything like that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[1KPerDay]

Not much to say based on those pics and little info.

Inlands are the most common carbines, and the potbelly stock there is the least desirable, so it's not going to pay your mortgage. The M1 stock has been refinished at some point from what I can see, which may affect collectability. The trigger guard is stamped (later version) and the rear sights are the later version... which figures based on the high serial number. From what I can tell it was built in 1954-1955.

To make an educated evaluation the real M1 experts will require a complete writeup of all parts, drawing numbers, and thorough pics/descriptions. I'm not a real M1 expert. Hopefully someone will stop along shortly.

 

[Mauser lover]

Do the S# match on all of the carbine parts? If not, it is just a parts gun, a gun that was made from a bunch of spare parts after the fighting was over, just because the parts were extra, and available. I think a bunch of inlands were made this way, but I don't know if it was just Inlands, or all of the other manufacturers too.

 

[1KPerDay]

Do the S# match on all of the carbine parts? If not, it is just a parts gun, a gun that was made from a bunch of spare parts after the fighting was over, just because the parts were extra, and available. I think a bunch of inlands were made this way, but I don't know if it was just Inlands, or all of the other manufacturers too.

M1 Carbine parts (and Garand parts) are not serialized/matched, FYI. You can match the correct 'type' of part to a receiver serial number range, and you can match the serial number of a Garand to a receiver drawing number range to make sure it's not been cut/rewelded (or at least less likely) but all of the parts are not stamped with a serial number like some other military arms.

 

[Wobi Madaondo]

Hi, try here http://forums.thecmp.org/
http://www.jouster.com/forums/ but you need to post more info,import marked, markings on barrel, stock marking etc. Regards, WM

 

[hso]

1KPerDay is correct, there are no matching serial numbers for M1 Garands and their parts or for M1 Carbines and their's. It is a common unfounded belief due to the fact that the parts are numbered by heat lot and/or drawing number that these somehow relate to the receiver serial number. There's also little chance that the parts are all as the weapon left production line since most of these guns had parts interchanged during cleaning with other parts or during service or rearsenal. "Correct" rifles are typically pieced together with parts of the correct vintage to restore the rifle to factory condition OR they're the very rare rifles that never saw battle.

An Inland like yours would bring around $700 around here. The Garand is more variable since we don't know what the throat or muzzle erosion or bore is like.

 

[Boomm]

Thanks for the info.

Here are a few more pics of the garand muzzle and bore if it will give you a better idea of the value.








Pics are kinda <deleted>, sorry about that

 

[rondog]

"Value" is kinda subjective, although there are definite price ranges for both rifles in various conditions. IMO though, since you've "run across" them and have the chance to buy them, what are they worth to YOU? I'd think that you'd need to ask that question to yourself, based on who has them, what the prices are, can you afford them, is there any haggle room, etc.

The carbines are getting harder to find and the prices are climbing, so I'd keep that in mind. Garands are still findable for decent prices. So, who's selling them and what's his prices? Is it something you can live with? Something you can walk away from with no second thoughts? Or something you'd kick yourself over for years?

If you could get the carbine for around $500, I wouldn't even blink as long as it's in decent shape. The Garand is harder to say, but I wouldn't go too high. You can still get nice ones from the CMP for reasonable. So if he's asking a few hundred apiece, I'd probably buy 'em. But if he thinks he's sitting on a retirement fund, I'd pass.

But, I'm not a purist collector, and I've been known to be easy. I've also been known to stumble across some gems for cheap. Any chance you could find a buddy or other local feller to go look at 'em with ya?

 

[hso]

Without a muzzle and chamber gauge you can't tell much more than the bore is dark and there may, may, be some minor pitting. A nice shiny bore is good. A dark bore isn't, but it might be tolerable on a shooter with a good chamber and muzzle. A pitted bore isn't.

Are there proof marks on the stocks? Nice big "P"s? Any importer's markings on the barrels?

 

[Orlando]

As already said you need to gauge the muzzle on both rifles
The finish looks pretty worn on the Garand and bore looks dark
No way to give accurate estimate
Garand $450- $675
Carbine $500- $700
Less if either is import marked

 

[Boomm]

Thanks guys, I actually got them for free so that's why I had the value question. I want to keep the carbine but don't really want to keep the garand.

 

[Orlando]

Ha, You got them for the right price!!!
If you are going to sell the Garand online to get top dollar you will have to get more info.
Muzzle Wear and breakdown of parts.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks guys, I actually got them for free so that's why I had the value question. I want to keep the carbine but don't really want to keep the garand.

Why not??? what's the matter with you?

The Garand is the coolest rifle ever made. However, if you don't want to keep it, you probably don't deserve it. I'll take it off your hands.

 

[padd54]

Do either of the rifle have any documentation, a certificate from CMP? Without those, the value goes way down.

 

[1KPerDay]

Not really. Not WAY down. An informed buyer will give the CMP certificate a nod and then look at the condition of the parts and quality of assembly.

For inexperienced buyers, yes, a CMP certificate is a bonus. I, for example, would rather buy a documented CMP rifle but I don't know enough about them to tell the good from bad.