New Tradex Garands - clue to origin?

Claven2

Claven2

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My local shop had a tradex garand on consignment and I was able to do a field strip. This particular gun looks to be a typical rebuilt late-WW2 Springfield Armory 3.27M gun.

Before anyone asks, no, I don't own the rifle - the store owner was kind enough to let me take pictures.

It was wearing a 1954 SA replacement barrel and it was stocked in very darkly stained post-war birch. I suspect it was not restocked in the USA, but rather in a foreign country using US-made replacement wood because there were NO post-assembly stamps in the clearly us-made late production fat birch stock. Not even a P proof on the grip.

Typical relief-cut SA operating rod and it had a replacement IHC bolt that looked much newer than the rest of the rifle, so definitely a late-in-service-life replacement.

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But here's the interesting part. I pulled the trigger group and found this little guy glued inside the floorplate:

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I can't be certain, but I think it's the elevation and windage settings recorded by someone who was issued the rifle, or that sighted it in (and armorer?).

No idea what language it is - maybe turkish? But if anyone can translate, that should tell us where these M1's were sourced.

Here is the modern turkish alphabet, and the markings can definitely be turkish - though I have no idea what it translates to.

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I've looked all over and I'm pretty sure the markings are modern Turkish. I'd say these are from Turkey, though probably not through the CMP. CMP only gets guns back that were sent out as foreign aid. If the receiving country bought the guns (i.e. they weren't free to begin with), then they are usually sold on the open market (or destroyed, but countries like Turkey would sell them, not axe them). Turkey would have had Garands through both procurement methods, so I'm not surprised they are selling some instead of returning them through the CMP program.

Especially if Tradex is paying even half what they are selling them for. Cash cow for the Turkish dealers, I'd say...

The only question I have is why they aren't selling way cheaper. If significant quantities were imported, they'll never all sell at these prices. So is the importer trickling them out slowly to keep prices high, or did they just limit import qty to ensure supply would not exceed demand at the $2000+ price point?

Time will tell.
 
They do indeed look like Turkish Garands. And they are not selling like the last lot which appeared to have come from a single collector. Those sold out in a day or so.
These are rough looking for the same money. I would expect they would sell for $1200-1400 considering the condition of the last lot.
When the CMP sells them they have been measured, graded and have had parts or stocks fitted to ensure they are safe to shoot. They are not just pulled out of a crate and set on the display rack for sale.
 
I will say though, the rifle was not in bad shape. The stock had no major issues and the metal was not pitted, though the finish was worn. I didn't gauge it, but it would have gauged pretty well. After gauging a lof of rifles (yes, I have gauges), you can somewhat reliably tell which ones will gauge well just by looking at the rifling near the muzzle and down the bore. The bore looked great. It was a normal post-war refurb though and not a "collector" per se.

$2200 seemed rather high for what it was.
 
I certainly wouldn’t buy one at these prices. $1800 I would strongly consider it. But I’m the guy that wouldn’t pay $500 for an rc Mauser 5-6 years ago, but look at the prices now.
 
Yük is Azerbaijan for “load” not sure in the other words. Turkish probably shares some language links.

edit:Turns out yan means side there too. So along with expatriates info looks like you’re bang on.
 
These look like some of the Turkish surplus rifles that were repatriated by the CMP. Strange how they manage to "leak" though the CMP system which is mandated to sell to qualified US citizens, and not retailers.:eek:

The current Garand Collectors Assn Journal has an article on these and the Phillipine returns which notes that stocks are ggenerally poor and in many cases were replaced by foreign made wood.

To me prices seem excessive on these, esp considering that I just sold several superior condition Garands with new and/or used barrels in excellent condition in the $1500-$1600 range. I suppose its whatever price the market will bear, but for $2000-$2200 I'd expect collector grade rifles with good original barrels and nice wood and finish.
 
purple said:
These look like some of the Turkish surplus rifles that were repatriated by the CMP. Strange how they manage to "leak" though the CMP system which is mandated to sell to qualified US citizens, and not retailers.:eek:

The current Garand Collectors Assn Journal has an article on these and the Phillipine returns which notes that stocks are ggenerally poor and in many cases were replaced by foreign made wood.

To me prices seem excessive on these, esp considering that I just sold several superior condition Garands with new and/or used barrels in excellent condition in the $1500-$1600 range. I suppose its whatever price the market will bear, but for $2000-$2200 I'd expect collector grade rifles with good original barrels and nice wood and finish.
Click to expand...

I hear ya, and agree, but I guess there are plenty of less choosy consumers out there (?)
 
I find it kind of odd that some folks seem willing to pay a substantial premium to purchase from a retailer rather than buy from a reputable seller on the ee.
 
Ive been ripped off by reputable sellers on the EE. I’ve received lemons from dealers but they always stood behind their product.
 
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