M1 Garand Value?

[RichSal2451]

Unfortunately, due to an illness in the family I don't usually have the opportunity to post here. But I do have a question I'd like to ask. A friend recently called me to look at an M1 Garand he was given by his Uncle in the seventies. I thought it was beautiful, and said so. This friend doesn't hunt or shoot, so he GAVE me the Garand and a Smith-Corona 1903A3. What a guy! anyway I'd like to establish a value for the Garand. Can anyone help? Here's the info I've taken from it:

Rifle is a Springfield Armory model, Serial Number 2278527.

Barrel Number HRA-3-52, then a large letter P

Operating Rod Number 6535382 SA

Receiver(Trigger Assembly?) Number B21B
D23291 32

Bolt Number D28287-12SA
S-B70

Inside of stock is stamped OP 2562, and then a P in a circle

Cartouche on small of stock opposite of op rod is a faded L inside a square

Leather military sling numbered R&B Co 1918 REW

Inside the butt plate is a universal cleaning tool, and a tube that holds a pin in one end and a brush and bore with string in the other end.

Examining it, I find minimal wear in and around the action. The wood has some minor character dings and dents, but no cracks or pins in it. Parkerizing is about 90%.

I would rate it as very good to excellent condition.

Thanks, guys

[lenny7]

The M1 was made in Dec of 1943. Actually it was the receiver that was made in '43. The barrel is a Harrington & Richardson made in March of '52.
The numbers with a D in the front are drawing numbers that the part was made from.
The parts with SA are Springfield parts.
With the mix of mfr's and years, we know it was rearsenaled at some point, which is the norm.

I don't know what it's worth but I'd love to see pictures. I'd *guess* at a minimum it's worth $600.
Some places to go for info:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/garand/index.asp
http://www.jouster.com/Bulletin/Evaluate.html
http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/index.html
http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/garand/garand.pl

I'm more interested in the 03A3...got any pictures of that?

The forum herein a great place for 03A3 info, but i see they're closing May 1st. They do list several other great sources of info though.
Some more 03A3 links to check out:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/03a3/index.asp
http://oldguns.net/sn_php/mildateslookup.php?file=us_m1903scr.dat

[Rip Van Winkle]

Lenny,

I think you missed a digit in the serial #. It's a 2,278,XXX which would make it a Dec. 1943.

I'm not an expert on Garands but a mixmaster like yours is worth what you can get someone to pay for it. I would say somewhere between $500 and $800.

For more information post this on the M1 section at Culvers Shooting Page The guys there are nuts and can probably tell you what every digit of every number means.

[RichSal2451]

Thank you, folks. I'm thinking abbout selling it because at 57 years old, the Garand can shoot farther than I can see. I have an M1 Carbine and a Marlin Camp carbine that I'm much more comfortable with.

[lenny7]

Lenny,

I think you missed a digit in the serial #. It's a 2,278,XXX which would make it a Dec. 1943.

Oops, you're absolutely right. Thanks for the correction.

[tullibee]

I'm thinking about getting another Garand, so if you do decide to sell, let me know...

Jon

[RichSal2451]

Sold the gun for $800. Now what to do with the money? A Kimber .45 sounds appealing.