Yet another Garand question....

jaughtman · January 6, 2014, 09:30 AM

Man, once I bought my first one, they seem to start to find me....I now have the opportunity to purchase a SA Garand with a serial in the early 1941 range. The seller wants about the limit of what I am willing to spend/think it is worth (750-800) as it is "better than service grade". Would that early of a serial #/reciever make it any more collectable than a typical WWII one?

J

tahunua001 · January 6, 2014, 11:21 AM

not really, unless it's an early 1936 serial number I don't see it drawing any more money. the only difference is aesthetic collectors value. some people might want it more because it served though the entire WWII but that does nothing to actual retail value.

chris in va · January 6, 2014, 03:50 PM

$750 is a steal for a good WW2 Springfield. It'll only gain value as the CMP is running out.

Fishbed77 · January 6, 2014, 03:57 PM

What tahunua said. The serial number for shooter-quality Garands does not tend to affect value all that much, since there is demand for all different ranges (for example, some folks want Korean War era rifles, or later serial ranges that incorporate the various product improvements). Condition is much more important.

What tend to drive value for the collector-grade rifles is parts originality, desired cartouche/proof marks, condition, rare components (such as gas trap rifles, which will have very low serials) and any historical value that can be definitively tied to the rifle.

Orlando · January 6, 2014, 07:58 PM

So what makes you think its "better than service grade" ?

jaughtman · January 7, 2014, 10:24 AM

Because I have handled hundreds of Service grades at the Anniston store. This one has a 1 roughly for the muzzle, and just about ZERO nicks/gouges in the stock......

J

Eric M. · January 7, 2014, 11:59 AM

I would question if this gun saw service in action during the war if the stock is pristine as you say.
For that price, I would still buy it though.

Eric

Orlando · January 7, 2014, 01:55 PM

Service grades will run from what you have to less condition.
You have to remember the "grades" are just made up by CMP. As you know the next better grade would be a Correct, if yours isnt Correct and a mixmaster its a top end Service Grade
Nice rifleyou have

jaughtman · January 10, 2014, 09:37 AM

So I will pick it up tomorrow.....pics soon and you guy can tell me more about it. Still getting ugly glances from the wife, however.....LOL. "THREE ARMY RIFLES?!" (she does not know the proper name).

J

January 6, 2014, 09:30 AM	#1
jaughtman Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 868	Yet another Garand question.... Man, once I bought my first one, they seem to start to find me....I now have the opportunity to purchase a SA Garand with a serial in the early 1941 range. The seller wants about the limit of what I am willing to spend/think it is worth (750-800) as it is "better than service grade". Would that early of a serial #/reciever make it any more collectable than a typical WWII one? J

January 6, 2014, 11:21 AM	#2
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	not really, unless it's an early 1936 serial number I don't see it drawing any more money. the only difference is aesthetic collectors value. some people might want it more because it served though the entire WWII but that does nothing to actual retail value. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 7, 2014, 10:24 AM	#6
jaughtman Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 868	^^^^^^ Because I have handled hundreds of Service grades at the Anniston store. This one has a 1 roughly for the muzzle, and just about ZERO nicks/gouges in the stock...... J

January 7, 2014, 11:59 AM	#7
Eric M. Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota Posts: 307	I would question if this gun saw service in action during the war if the stock is pristine as you say. For that price, I would still buy it though. Eric __________________ NRA Chief Range Safety Officer NRA Pistol Instructor NRA Life Member DNR Certified Firearms Safety Instructor 37 yrs

January 10, 2014, 09:37 AM	#9
jaughtman Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 868	Made the offer..... So I will pick it up tomorrow.....pics soon and you guy can tell me more about it. Still getting ugly glances from the wife, however.....LOL. "THREE ARMY RIFLES?!" (she does not know the proper name). J

January 6, 2014, 03:50 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	$750 is a steal for a good WW2 Springfield. It'll only gain value as the CMP is running out.

January 6, 2014, 03:57 PM	#4
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	What tahunua said. The serial number for shooter-quality Garands does not tend to affect value all that much, since there is demand for all different ranges (for example, some folks want Korean War era rifles, or later serial ranges that incorporate the various product improvements). Condition is much more important. What tend to drive value for the collector-grade rifles is parts originality, desired cartouche/proof marks, condition, rare components (such as gas trap rifles, which will have very low serials) and any historical value that can be definitively tied to the rifle.

January 6, 2014, 07:58 PM	#5
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2009 Posts: 352	So what makes you think its "better than service grade" ?

January 7, 2014, 01:55 PM	#8
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2009 Posts: 352	Service grades will run from what you have to less condition. You have to remember the "grades" are just made up by CMP. As you know the next better grade would be a Correct, if yours isnt Correct and a mixmaster its a top end Service Grade Nice rifleyou have