M1 ID and questions

IMagius

IMagius

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Ok guys, don't kill me if I have this in the wrong sub-forum ... I don't know what I have and couldn't figure if this shoudl be in Milsurp or in here ... :)

I have 2 M1's sitting here:

Serial # 161###x (1.6 million) - Marked Winchester at rear of action
It is very "clean" and everything has a good luster to it.
081-1.jpg


Serial # 226###x (2.2 million) - marked Springfield Armory at rear of action
The wood on top, just in front of the reciever looks to have been replaced (doesn't match rest of wood on gun) - and the replacement piece has had some rectangular holes in it filled with small pieces of wood.
This thing is as rough/ugly as it look in the pic ... not "rusty" but it certainly has all it's orignal patina
044.jpg


Both guns have the same rear sight - dial on left for left right adjustments, dial on right for vertical adjustments. edit: Winchester has V-Groove rear sight, Springfiled has Peep-style rear sight.

I've read a bit about M1's in general, and have come to find that they seem to be a desirable firearm. I'm in the midst of going throught he collection and picking "keepers" & "sellers"

What do I have?
What are the worth (ballpark as I know there are a lot fo minor details you guys can't see inthe pics that are relavent to this question)
Is one more desirable over the other? Why?

I'd like to keep one as a "shooter" and sell the other (I don't need 2 of the same gun do I?) ... though if they are worth "stupid amounts of money" they may both get sold ... I really don't know what Ihave and the prices I've seen listed for these guns (without pics of course) seem to range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

Are there more details you need to tell me what I have? I can get pics of any details needed, just don't ask me to take something apart to look at some internal widget as I have never taken one of these down and until I decide if I am keeping one, have not invested in a manual for them yet.

I assume both are in firing condition as regardless of thier external state, they do appear to be visually sound with no readily apparent defects.

Oh, one last question ... I understand that these use internal "clips" ... seen the vids & whatnot on youtube ... and I have none. What are those worth? Availability? Can I "safely" (no damage to the gun) load a single round to test fire without the clip?

Prior to test firing, is there anything critical I need to check? I've been around various Semi's, bolt's etc.. my entire life, but I think these are the first gas operated Semi's I've touched ... Is there a good "M1 for Dummies" guide somewhere?

So, that's it. I figured I'd post here before spending hours on Google not knowing what I'm looking for or what's relevant to what I have.
 
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Well, considering most of the front handguard is missing on the top one, that will decrease the value of it somewhat. It also kind of looks like some wood is missing on the stock. For that reason the 2nd one is probably more desirable, unless you want to get a replacement handguard and stock. I'm no expert, but given the condition from what I can see in the pictures they might go for $700-800ish (maybe more since they are from '43, maybe less if the internal parts aren't in very good condition). Others with more experience with these are probably a better judge than me though.

There are plenty of videos and manuals online that can show you how to disassemble/reassemble it. It's not that hard.

Clips are around $1-2 each, Marstar has some for $1.75 I think. You can probably pick the up on the EE for around that price too. You can load a single round if you want without the clip. It's a battle rifle, the old girl can handle it just fine.

Before test firing, make sure you grease the oprod track, and don't fire bullets that are too heavy (make sure they are around 150gr).

The book that I have is "The Complete M1 Garand" by Jim Thompson.

These are fun guns, but expensive to shoot. If you reload you can shoot for cheaper though.
 
"...front handguard is missing on the top one..." It's a commercial 'sporter' stock. The rifle has been blued, likely cold bluing. The finish has been removed from the gas tube and the front sight is aftermarket. Value is about half of a non-bubba'd rifle.
"...Winchester has V-Groove..." Most likely a sight that was cut or replaced by whoever sporterized it. Not difficult nor terribly expensive to put original sights on.
Unless you want to take the time and spend the money, it'd be the one to sell.
Second one is in original configuration. Worth more than the first, even though the condition is a bit rough(not horrible though. Finish is mostly gone. Clean the stock and look closely at the barrel.
"...have not invested in a manual for them..." Save your money and go here. Note the need for the provided UN & PW. Download TM-9-1275 and FM-23-5.
http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
 
The top one is a shooter, but with the correct wood could be brought back to the appearance it had when it was carried in the war.

My other advice is:

1) Clean these rifles as well as you can.

2) Use White Lithium grease on the operating rods. You can find this grease at Canadian Tire.

3) Take both rifles to a gunsmith and have him/her look them over and tell you whether they are safe to shoot.

4) Look here: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/650334/US-M-GARAND-rifle-serial-number-ranges

5) Look here, too: http://www.fulton-armory.com/%5Cfaqs%5CM1G-FAQs%5Ctea%5Cm1serial.htm

Points 4 and 5 have serial number ranges you can check out.
 
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