Pick one: Postal Meter M1 carbine, Springfield M1, Husqvarna 38, and Winchesters

[AirPower]

I have a chance to pick up one or more of the following from an estate collection. The ones below are the rifles I'd like to get but I'm trying to place them in a priority order in case I have funds to get more than one.

- Postal Meter, US M1 cbn 30 cbn, Semiauto carbine, DCM rebuild
- Springfield Armory, US M1 rifle, 30-06, Semiauto, rebarreled w/ commercial bbl
- Husqvarna, 38, 6.5 mm, Bolt Action, Swedish military dated 1941
- Stevens, 325B, 30-30, bolt action sporter
- Stevens, 87A, 22 Rimfire, semiauto
- Remington, R-B, 43 Spanish, single-shot

What do you think of this order? The price will be based on 2003 Blue Book, is it a fair basis for rifles?

I think the Postal Meter and SA M1 would be interesting, but Husqvarna seems popular as well. I don't know much about the Stevens gun and the Remington RB, any info would be appreciated. Thank you. Also there's an impressive Winchester collection, I don't think I'd get any but if you think I should reconsider, please let me know too (once again based on Blue Book value)

Winchester, 62A, 22 Rimfire
Winchester, 71, 348 Win, made 1940
Winchester, 73, 38 WCF, Rebuilt "parts gun" (rcvr made 1897)
Winchester, 73, 38 WCF, Orig (rcvr made 1897)
Winchester, 86, 45-70, Orig (made 1888)
Winchester, 90, 22 WRF, made 1919
Winchester, 90, 22 WRF, Made late 1930s
Winchester, 92, 38 WCF, Orig (made 1903)
Winchester, 94, 30-30, Buffalo Bill Comm
Winchester, 94, 30-30, Centennial 66 Comm
Winchester, 94, 30-30, Golden Spike Comm
Winchester, 94, 30-30, NRA Cent Rifle Comm
Winchester, 94, 30-30, Teddy Roosevelt Comm
Winchester, 94, 30-30, Made 1949
Winchester, 1895, 30-06, repro

 

[Preacherman]

If you're wanting them to shoot, I think the Postal Meter M1 would be fun. If you're wanting them from the perspective of collectability, I would unhesitatingly go for the original Winchester 1886 in .45-70! (And yes, being me, I'd probably shoot it too! )

 

[VG]

A while back I bought an NPM Carbine in really nice condition, with a lot of late modifications, and with an import mark on the receiver for around $600 with mags and sling. Without the import mark they probably go for around $100 more. Exceptional originality or condition might make it worth a little more. In some local markets they sell for less, YMMV.

Similar Garands can still be purchased from CMP for $521, so that's not attractive at a higher price.

Don't know about the others.

 

[Chipperman]

Of the ones on the top of your list, I'd go for the NPM and Husky first.
M1's can still be had easily from CMP, and the rebarrel would put me off.

 

[DMK]

If it were me, I'd go with this order (Just for a little taste of American history in my collection, not for any monetary reasons):

- Postal Meter, US M1 cbn 30 cbn, Semiauto carbine, DCM rebuild
- Winchester, 86, 45-70, Orig (made 1888)
- Winchester, 94, 30-30, Made 1949
- Winchester, 73, 38 WCF, Orig (rcvr made 1897)
- Springfield Armory, US M1 rifle, 30-06, Semiauto, rebarreled w/ commercial bbl
- Stevens, 325B, 30-30, bolt action sporter
- Stevens, 87A, 22 Rimfire, semiauto

 

[Baba Louie]

Pick 1??? Swedish Husky

 

[George Hill]

I'd get both M1's and then see about getting anything else...

 

[Sven]

Get the carbine! Ultimate Fun Gun!

 

[Wildalaska]

Ya want the two orignianl Wins first (86 and 73), then the 92, then the NPM and the Husky.

Nothing else is really worth it unless it is stupidly cheap.


WildgrabthecrememofthecropAlaska

 

[AirPower]

Update:

Came back from seeing these rifles and also some price negotiation. Here's an update:

Postal Meter, US M1 cbn 30 cbn, Semiauto carbine, DCM rebuild
This is one of the DCM guns that they used to sell for $20 (or so I was told). It's not importer marked. It has Postal Meter receiver, but has GM Inland barrel 6-43. Is this correct? Or should it have Postal Meter barrel? The metal is about 90%, with excellent bore/rifling. Is $450 a good price?

Springfield Armory, US M1 rifle, 30-06, Semiauto, rebarreled w/ commercial bbl
This one is an early gun, 220k serial range. The receiver is Springfield Armory, but the commercial barrel is unmarked, and no other markings. Very new rifling though, but the blued bbl doesn't quite match the parked finish on the rest of the gun. I can get it for $400 or less.

Husqvarna, 38, 6.5 mm, Bolt Action, Swedish military dated 1941
Pretty good shape, $150 a good price?

The rest I've decided to pass, also the Winchesters are too pricey for my money...but I do want to get the Postal Meter for sure but still sitting on the fence about M1 Garand.

 

[Sven]

Postal Meter, US M1 cbn 30 cbn, Semiauto carbine, DCM rebuild
This is one of the DCM guns that they used to sell for $20 (or so I was told). It's not importer marked. It has Postal Meter receiver, but has GM Inland barrel 6-43. Is this correct? Or should it have Postal Meter barrel? The metal is about 90%, with excellent bore/rifling. Is $450 a good price?

I'd say without hesitation, that is an excellent price. Get it.

 

[Wildalaska]

And grab that Husky..ya dfont want it Ill buy it

WildseriousAlaska

 

[Beetle Bailey]

If the Husqvarna is in pretty good shape, then $150 is an excellent price. I always enjoy shooting mine .

 

[BamBam-31]

Get the M1 Carbine.


For me.

 

[dogngun]

GET THE CARBINE !!!

I had an import marked NPM with a Rock-Ola barrel. The barrels were contracted out, so it's probably right. They are also great fun to shoot and there are lots of mags and parts/accessories around.

The Husky is probably a great shooter and a steal at that price.

The M1, if you want it as a shooter.

Good luck.

Mark

 

[roscoe]

Yeah, if you want to sell the Swede, let me know. I'm sort of in the market, as it were.

 

[AirPower]

Update, I got the 2 M1s. $450 for carbine and $390 for Garand. Will go look at Husqvarna again.

 

[BamBam-31]

Nice! Go for the hat trick!

 

[DMK]

Sweet Deal!

Nice pair of rifles.