....question...Garands.....how many....

[Herr Mario]

.....of you fellers have one.....or 2....or......HOW MANY ya got...???....actually,I'm curious to know who's got the most.....and what year.....who's got the earliest dated reciever #....and the latest........any WW2 recievers:confused: any 5-or even 4 digit #'s...????...........not quite a "poll question",just wondering who's got the oldest and the newest out of the bunch:rolleyes: :D

[fordruid]

Only got one...so far.

[Herr Mario]

....but what year was it made in...???...I was looking to get a range of years and see who's got the earliest/latest......geez,dont feel bad-I've only got 2-and cant afford more:xxrotflmao: ....one is a Feb.1942-the other an Apr.1943

[CoorsLightGuy]

I've only got the one, but she's a nice one. A 1941 Springfield Armory.

I bought it and my M1 Carbine together as a pair from the same guy in December of 2001. The M1 Carbine is a 1943 Underwood.

I don't have either serial number handy, but if I can remember it, I'll look it up one day soon.

[Ash]

I have only one. It's a '56 Springfield Armory, high 5 million SN.

[Rockman]

I own one, 8-54 H&R. 5 million serial number range.

[Mosko]

I have 2, a Springfield 1952, and an H&R 1953. The Winchester 1943 is gone now.

[Herr Mario]

....well dang it-I thought I'd have a crack at having one of the earliest ones with my SA 1942...........but looks like CLG has the title of earliest.......for now...:BangHead: :xxrotflmao:

[CoorsLightGuy]

Yeah, I don't have a large collection at all, as I tend to go with what I consider "quality" over "quantity".

I've made sure that virtually every WWII era gun that I own is "war dated". Also, I'm not one of those guys who has to have or even wants to have for that matter, multiple versions of essentially the same darn weapon. I know a lot of guys like to do that........every possible variation of the Mosin-Nagant for example, but that's just not me.

There's nothing wrong with doing that of course. Different strokes for different folks and all that jazz.

All I really care about is having a "representative" piece that is again, war dated. For example, my one Mosin-Nagant rifle is a 1945 M44 and my one Mauser is a 1944 Kar 98K.

I've still got a lot of "holes" in my collection, but that's because I've not even been trying to add to the collection over the last couple of years as I've had other priorities in my life, but once my wife finishes taking her medical exams, I'm hoping that I can really get back into it and start adding to the collection.

[Herr Mario]

....no need for apology....I tend to follow your philosophy also;) .....not having $$$ for toys also keeps it that way...:xxrotflmao: ....I only have 2 M1's-but both quality vs quantity.....and 2 03A3's-same reason....only exception is 3 K98's........'cause they're neat...:xxrotflmao: ;) ...a Jap T99,....a K31.....an MLE M16......a shotgun.....a P38:D ...a StarB.....a few bayo's and helmets......they keep me smilin' on a down day when I sit down and unwind in my mini-Manroom...:grinning-thumbsup:
........a firm believer in QUALITY over QUANTITY..........untill I win the big lottery.............:xxrotflmao:

[Herr Mario]

.............ooooooooops-forgot to add......................









ONE IS BETTER THAN NONE


:xxrotflmao: ;)

[Haz-Boy]

Leave it to Herr Mario to stir up quite a bit of controversary.......:duel:

I have 2 of them.

Both are SA's

One was made in Apr '42 & the other was in '44 sometime. I have to
double-check my s/n & reference book to verify what month. It's in the 3 million range.

I bought the Apr '42 (s/n range in the 500,000 area) back in Oct or Nov
1994. It was from the Arlington Ordnance imports at that time.

It was a refurb, of course. Took me years to get all the parts to put it back to it's WWII configuration. I really boo-boo'ed on the stock though. For some reason I thought I need an SA EMcF marked stock & really needed an SA GHS stock. :(

I haven't been able to acquire the GHS stock as of yet.

If anyone has one for sale or trade, please let me know.

My next door neighbor saw the one I bought in 1994 & had to go get one for himself. He was in the Army in the mid-50's & trained on them.

I bought it from him in 2003 as he didn't want it anymore. He wanted to buy some 'other' gun / guns.

After acquiring all the correct WWII-issue parts, this 3 mil range one is now WWII complete & I even got the correct SA GAW stock. :headbanger:

Yes, I could've bought a complete WWII-configured M1 for allot cheaper than parts & piecing these together...but where would the fun be if I didn't???? :dontknow:

A quick note on my Apr '42 one...I used it for hunting back in 1995 & got a real nice 4-point (8-point to you east of the big river) & in 1996 I got a nice
3-point (6-point to you east of the big river). Shot really nice.

Now that I've spent allot of money, time, blood, sweat & tears on putting these puppies back to their somewhat original WWII-configuration, I don't think they'll be taken out to shoot Bambi, his mom or dad or anything anymore. :p

Oh, I'll shoot me some paper to make sure I still can prove I can, but that's about it......;)

So that's where I stand.....

[iquitos]

I think mine is SA, but never looked up the date.http://www.guncollectorsforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666.
The Inland Carbine came out of SD 13 years ago, when they were cheap!
Update: my serial # is listed as made in 1943.

[Herr Mario]

....I just find the history awesome that may be attatched to my Feb.42 SA.....made 2 months after the Declaration of War on Japan when things were really starting to ramp up.....and wondering where it may have been-and what soldier had it........gives me goosebumps........:eek: ...pretty much the same with my '43....but it has a VAR barrel.....and it DOES shoot better than me...:xxrotflmao: :grinning-thumbsup:

[Haz-Boy]

IF only our weapons could talk.......

Now that would be so COOL.........

Take care...H-B

[Herr Mario]

....it just happens to be the header pic on this section......heheheeheeheee

[SAC22PPC]

if they could talk they would probably be griping at us for not feeding them fresh germans or something...on the other hand i bet the k98s would be swearing at us in german...the jap rifles well they all look the same to me;)
the s/147 i had i used to look and wonder what it had seen. just to think it had been there when the nazis were in full power goose steping and all. the bnz i have now is a total missmatch so its story would be a bit muddled i suspose.


0] SAC22PPC 0]

[Rockman]

If I had my Dad's M-1 Garand from WWII in Afrika / Europe, it would be like the fly on the wall thing.... if ya get my drift. Dad carried a Winchester Contract M-1 Garand, serial number was 109724. If any of you men have it, I'd trade all my guns to get it, and give it to him, even it meant me being un-armed one more time. My uncle who is now dead stole all my guns once, I'd go through that again just so my Dad could have his M-1 back. I know he'd love to "shake hands" with his old and best friend again. If it weren't for guys like my Dad in WWII, we'd be saying: "HAIL!". To Hades with that mess!

Too many people discredit the Winchester M-1's, it saved my Dad's life! I have a Win. contract M-1917 in .30-06, maybe it will save my life from a bear someday? ;)

[Haz-Boy]

Sorry to hear about your dad's M1 there Rockman. :(

IF I ever come acroos it, I'll let you know.

I, too, would do the same as you in order to gain something back that was lost.

When it comes to family...nothing else quite matters...

Take care...

[Rockman]

Haz-Boy, Thank you kindly there friend. I'd appreciate it to the letter. When Dad got out of the service there was an officer that told him he could take it home, Dad was just happy to get out there and make it home still alive, buggered up, but still in one piece. He decided to leave it and forget it, at least try to, he still has flashbacks that get quite bad at times, they / he scared the daylights out of Mom and myself too at times.

With all due respect here, Vietnam Vets. aren't the only ones that have flashbacks, ask us, we know. :(

[Haz-Boy]

You're welcome there Rockman. :)

I've seen many a Vet who has been in a War, Polic-action, whatever.

My Grandfather was in WWI & still had nightmares up into the day he died. He was 88 when he passed & lived with his nightmares fo 66 years.

I had several relatives in WWII. Met allot of those WWII Vets as well. They ALL had stories they didn't want to talk about & the nightmares to go along with them.

My Dad was in Korea. I learned at a very young age that if he was sleeping you didn't touch him in any way!!!!!!!! I did this ONCE when I was about 8 & found myself hit across the room on the floor. Yes, my dad felt like crap. :( His nightmares didn't stop either. Oh, I never touched him while he was sleeping EVER again. :)

Had many relatives & friends in Vietnam. Those stories, if they talked, were interesting to say the least. Nightmares were present with them as well.

I had many friends I was in the Air Force with when the 1st Gulf War took place. Not as long of a War, but the stories were still as bad and allot of nightmares were to be had.

I have many friends still in the various branches of the Military who have fought in Afganhistan & Iraq. Wow & imagine that...the nightmares still are there.

In essence...no mater what the situation...nightmares do, can & will exist.

Thanks for your reply & I thank your Dad for his service!!! I'm sorry about his experience!!!!

Take care.....H-B

[Rockman]

Haz-Boy, I know what you mean to the letter. I tried to wake my Dad once when I was a kid. Thank the Lord I had good reflexes at such a young age, dang near caught a back fist to the chompers. Dad came out of the chair cussin' and fussin' and all the proverbial stuff flew like a kite in a hurricane too. I ran and hid in the shed, he found me all curled up in a ball and I was shakin' like a leaf. Scary day indeed.

May I PM you please?

[Haz-Boy]

PM me away there Sir...... :)

Thanks for your side of the story of NOT waking them Veterans. :)

Most scary it is / was / still am!!!!

I just wish I'd of been a tad bit farther away when I woke him & had better reflexes as well. :p

I'll be gone on vacation from the 23 - 31 Dec. Got's lots of stuff to do this week, so if I don't reply to you right away...well...you'll know why. :)

Take care....H-B

[Veritas1911]

I only have one. It's a Springfield Armory, receiver dated Oct-Nov 1942 and a barrell dated 1951. This is one of my favorite of my semi-automatics.

Receiver Tang - 9003XX Correct for Oct-Nov 1942
Barell - S-A-1-51 1951 replacement barell
Receiver - D 28291 17 (R33) No Comments
Bolt - 6528287-SA Z-4-A Post WWII replacement
Trigger Housing - 6528290-SA Post WWII replacement
Safety - SA11 Correct for year
Hammer - SA D5546008
Gas Cylinder - K
Windage Knob - DRC
Gas Cylinder Lock - M
Op Rod - NM National Match / 7790722-RA

And yes, thank you to all veterans alive and those that have passed on. Without your service, I think we all agree on where we'd be today.

[jisii]

I agree totally on the concept of having one or two war dated examples of service rifle. I only have three Garands, one of each WW2 manufacturer + a sniper version. None of mine earlier than mid-43.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/jisii/Garands/Garandcollage.jpg

That said, I have gotten a bit carried away with Springfields; have eight so far. I just love the old 03.

[Rock Island]

I was collecting a lot of Garands in the early 90's, along with any other US milsurp I could find. I ended up with nine M1's before the prices got out of hand. Six of them are Springfield, the oldest 1941, newest 1944. The remaining three are Winchester, H&R, and IHC. The '41 is wearing a '43 dated barrel, the other SA's are 50's rebarrels, the Winchester has a 60's barrel, and the IHC, H&R are both in their original barrels. Two of the SA's are Blue Sky imports with crown erosion problems, 4-5" groups at 100 yards, The others manage loose 1" groups or better at 100 yards, or they did when I could still see worth a dam past 50 yards. I collect a lot of Mosins, and Turk Mauser's these days, but the Garands are still my favorite rifle of the smokeless powder era.

[CoorsLightGuy]

Hey Rock........It looks like your Garand collection alone is worth a small fortune, based on current Garand prices.

I think that you should do like Hillary says and share your wealth with those less fortunate. :) :D

[Herr Mario]

........dang...!!!....'scuse me while I pick up my jaw after seeing that pic!!!!.......nice collection of bayo's there too...:D .....dont get me wrong-I love my 2...but........stilllllll.....waaaant.... moooooreee......:BangHead: :xxrotflmao: :D ....adopt me...???:o

[Herr Mario]

.....by the way....are some of those Turner slings on yours...???....I got a couple and LOVE em'...:D

[Rock Island]

Thanks, the bayonets are all original US M1905's and the one cut down to 10". The US 1907 sling is the best there is, at least for me, none of the slings are Turner, two of them are original WW1 Pattern 1907 slings with the brass hardware, the rest are reproductions offered by SARCO back in the 90's. These are the slings with the steel, or brass hooks, and dates for WW1, or 2 stamped into them. I bought a large number of these slings as I use them not only on my Garands, and 1903s, but on any rifle that will take them. These fit the Turk Mausers very well.
Never gave much thought to the current value of the collection, I just know that I would never be able to build one like it again without winning the lottery first.