M1 Garands.
I am always on the market for one.
But I often see M1's in questionable shape and they are well over a grand.
What caused this precedent to be set?
Im sure Ill pick one up someday but for now these people can keep em.
First, you are right, I have seen Garands in all conditions From in the grease, to best left on the beach. the problem is the internet and books. Someone is given or inherits a gun that they don't know much about and they jump online and check prices, ect. I saw one that the owner was TRYING to get $1000 for one that the barrel looked like someone dragged a salt mine through it, the front end of the op-rod was so heavily pitted and full of so much burnt powder that it was a wall hanger. Test firing it, it wouldn't even kick it open. You could literally hold it with your left hand over the bolt and fingers sitting BEHIND the op-rod cocking handle and pull the trigger with your right hand and not have to worry about the op-rod cocking handle hitting your hand.
So, that bring me to the second part, condition is everything. RoofTopHero claims he won't look at or go over $1000, Well, I paid (just over a year ago) $1200 for a all New Springfield with Springfield parts (Winchester front sight) and a Danish VAR barrel. It was in the grease from Denmark right out of one of their armories. That said, lease than a year ago, another Garand in the same condition sold for $1500 at the Calgary show in April. Prices are going up because demand is going up.
Third and lastly, keep in mind.... everyone wants to pay at little as possible, BUT if they are selling they want to get as much as possible. So, someone like... RoofTopHero says, "Ill pay 800-1000 but over that I wont even look at it".... but should he decide a week later he doesn't want the Garand after all... well least just go online and see what the going price is and try and get $1250 compared to the $800-$1000 he originally paid. So, lets flip that, there are NEW (refinished and put together) M-1s coming in to Canada and being sold for $1800, they have lost their collectors value as the have been refinished, but, new parts, barrel, ect. So, worn finish, bright barrel, strong rifling, decent wood, parts in sound working condition....well, $1500 sounds decent when compared to the new price from Wanstalls at $1800. lightly pitted barrel, over all good shape.... $1000. Heading toward retirement.... $650. Parts gun $500. Deactivated M-1 Garand..... $1500-2000 because anyone can own it.
The reality is, most of the time you are buying it FROM someone, not a business. So, ask yourself, IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT? Yes, ok. WHAT IS THE CONDITION? teh condition is such that i am willing to own it. HOW IS IT FOR FUNCTION? It works. DOES IT SHOOT STRAIGHT? That is always a good question, but either you have to know the person that owns it and trust them or shoot it yourself before buying it, or pay to play! LAST>>> IS THE PRICE SUCH THAT I AM WILLING TO PAY TO OWN? If all the other questions are basically yes, and this last question is either "Yes" or "I'd rather it be lease but, yeah I'll do it" then buy it. To many people sit by waiting for a price to drop only to have it scooped from under them and loose what they want. Yes they made 6.25 million, but how many are left after WW2, Korea and Vietnam? A lot less. How many are in Canada? Most likely 20 % of what was made or less, but probably more like 10% or less.