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Original M-1 Garand Value
Fairlane66
Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
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?
Comments
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 come
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.
This is what you want to see:
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You do not want to see this style sight:
[img][/img]
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!
OR
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?