wile,
In order to determine any "collector value" for your '53 M1, you'll have to get a good reference manual and verify each and every part on the rifle, including wood, as being original to the rifle.
Each major part is going to have a Drawing Number on it, with "dash number" denoting changes to production that can be crossed to a certain time period of manufacture. Minor parts without numbers will have to be ID'd by subtle variances of the part itself.
The finish on the metal and wood will also have to be "factory original" to be of any interest to a collector.
Just to get you started off right and to make sure you are not on a Wild Goose Chase..... why don't you post the Drawing numbers and Dash numbers of the following:
Receiver (right leg)
Bolt
Op-rod
Barrel (behind op-rod "window")
Trigger housing
Hammer
Safety
Also look for markings on the following:
Follower
BOTH sight knobs
Lock screw
Buttstock (both sides and bottom of grip, but primarily on the left side under the rear sight)
BTW, are all 3 pcs of the wood made of walnut??
If all these line up with a '53 SA, then you have a shot at having a rifle with some collector interest. If they don't line up, then you have what 99.99% of all other M1 owners have.... A fine example of American cratsmanship, mixmaster grade, great shooter (most likely), but with little in the way of collectability.
Best regards,
Swampy
Garands forever
