Restoration M1 Garand

[eclancy]

Gentlemen,
No files to look at on this post just a question or two about restorations. How many of us have done what I would call a Semi Restoration on your M1 Garand ? What I mean by that is let's say changing a Trigger Group, Op-Rod, Stock, Sling, Gas Cylinder, etc., etc., However, no Bolt or Barrel changing or reparking a Receiver or Barrel. Just the Basic parts that can be easy to change, to make it all SA or WIN, IHC or HRA. Or reduing a Stock i.e. cleaning, steaming dents. Take an SA and changing all the parts to SA, maybe not by REV #, but all SA. At what point is it no longer a Semi Restoration but a complete Restoration? Here's the point, if you had to sell or show off your M1 Garand to someone would you tell them about the changes you have made to the Rifle or just let it stand as is ?
Odd question but I have been seeing a lot of really odd things that guys are doing out there.
Thanks again
Clancy
ps NO!! you can't push 220gr rounds in your Garand

 

[Khornet]

I'd have to say

that at no point is it a 'complete restoration' since they were all jumbled up in the rework depots and even in the field. There's no way you could increase the 'authenticity' of an M1 beyond getting it from the CMP, at least not enough to make me pay a premium price for it.

Even if you got one from CMP and all parts and drawing numbers match, it could still be a composite of dozens of different original rifles. I can see how it might be fun to make it an all-Winchester or Springfield etc. of the correct period, and I don't mean to slight those who do; I just can't see how it could be called a restoration since the same rifle made of parts from different manufacturers and different phases of production is just as authentic.

 

[atomchaser]

Putting all of the same manufacturer parts may not actually be authentic for the particular rifle. Many rifles were produced as mix-masters from the get go due to the difficulties some of the companies had producing entire rifles. Springfield is probably an exception.

 

[Dienekes]

My wife's 1944 SA lockbar is largely correct except for a barrel replacement but not enough of a collector to worry about complete upgrading.

I have a Winchester that is probably 40% correct that I have put a Winchester gas cylinder and a couple of minor parts on. Winchester barrels are pricey and hard to find; doubt if putting a correct one on would be very cost-effective even if I did find one.

I am not insensitive to the collecting side of it but I guess I view the Garand as a classic rifle that should be shot and appreciated as a battle rifle. If Jonn Garand were here to comment he would probably say something like, 'What did you expect? I designed it to be easy to maintain and repair, and what you have now is perfectly typical of almost every one out there today."

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I got fairly lucky on the draw from the cmp and got an M1 with mostly SA parts on it, Don't plan on changing anything.

 

[FPrice]

Here's the point, if you had to sell or show off your M1 Garand to someone would you tell them about the changes you have made to the Rifle or just let it stand as is ?

I think that if you have done this sort of work to yout M1 you owe it to a potential buyer to let them know. It may make a difference to some but not to others. But you have been honest and that's what counts.

 

[ScottsGT]

Unless it was one of the NIW Garands, it wouldn't mean a hill of beans to me. Hell, the CMP is matching parts and jacking the price up for their "Correct Grade", but if I did it, it wouldn't mean squat. So as far as I'm concerned, the CMP's don't mean squat to me either. Mine was a mix master from the U.S. Govt, and that is as accurate as you can get. Just refinished, with a new stock.