An aging shooter and Korean War vet recently passed on, and I would like to help his widow sell his firearms. He was into military match shooting, and has 3 pristine M1 Garands, a Springfield Armory bolt-action 22 trainer, and 3 Colt 1911 handguns, as well as 4 S&W Model 41 target rimfire semi-autos.

While I'm pretty "up" on values of modern stuff, I don't know much about military firearms. I know some are cobbled together by the armory for resale/reuse, while others may have increased value based on who proofed it or some other piece of esoteria.

If you're up on the values of military weaponry, shoot me a PM. I'd like to make sure I get her the proper value when selling her husbands treasures.

Run a search of completed auctions for each of those firearms on Gunbroker.com and you will get current market values.

Rev, I'm finding it's much more complicated than that, with the military system of rebuilding field rifles, the CMP re-issue program, and rifles cobbled together from available parts. I have a couple experts working on it now. Thanks, though.

You are into (except the S&W) all very complex firearms when it comes to values.

The only accurate source as to what you have are J.C. Harrison's books on the M-1, 1903 Springfield and 1911. Expensive yes but if you sell ONE item based on online auction prices and are wrong you could lose thousands if not more.

Most G.I. guns were rebuilt, some came in different grades and models. Just to pick an easy one. A mint Singer made 100% original 1911 could push a high five figures, a thrice rebuilt, mixed part, refinished 1911 might bring $500.

Rarity, condition and being original are the key starting points. You cannot know that w/o the right books (many are full of errors).

If you wish to send me high quality photos of the guns with special attention to any markings in the wood or metal, I'd be happy to make an effort to help you identify what she has. If of interest, PM me and I'll send you a secure email to send them to.

Memo to all gun owners, have a list, photos and updated values for your spouse if she is not a gun nut. Far too many widows get hosed by gun shops and auction houses. Just watch the "experts" like R.L. Wilson on Antiques Roadshow who is now out and about again after some time in the "Big House".

quote:

Originally posted by nasdaq:
You are into (except the S&W) all very complex firearms when it comes to values.

The only accurate source as to what you have are J.C. Harrison's books on the M-1, 1903 Springfield and 1911. Expensive yes but if you sell ONE item based on online auction prices and are wrong you could lose thousands if not more.

Most G.I. guns were rebuilt, some came in different grades and models. Just to pick an easy one. A mint Singer made 100% original 1911 could push a high five figures, a thrice rebuilt, mixed part, refinished 1911 might bring $500.

Rarity, condition and being original are the key starting points. You cannot know that w/o the right books (many are full of errors).

If you wish to send me high quality photos of the guns with special attention to any markings in the wood or metal, I'd be happy to make an effort to help you identify what she has. If of interest, PM me and I'll send you a secure email to send them to.

Memo to all gun owners, have a list, photos and updated values for your spouse if she is not a gun nut. Far too many widows get hosed by gun shops and auction houses. Just watch the "experts" like R.L. Wilson on Antiques Roadshow who is now out and about again after some time in the "Big House".

Larry Root, you worthless piece-of-shit!!! How in the hell do you keep coming back? How many times does Don need to throw your sorry ass off of here before you get the picture?

"Miles" I don't know what you imagine gives you the right to be a most illmannered bore.

The rules of the site are very clear on members treating other members as they would if sitting over a beer.

When you wish to talk to me across that beer (afraid I can't be your "worthless-piece-of-bleep) but I'm sure we can reach an understanding.

As the old saying goes: "you don't know me, I don't know you, Don't know your friends and you don't know mine", so unless you plan to contribute to the lady's conundrum, it would be best for you to be quiet.

quote:

Originally posted by nasdaq:
"Miles" I don't know what you imagine gives you the right to be a most illmannered bore.

The rules of the site are very clear on members treating other members as they would if sitting over a beer.

When you wish to talk to me across that beer (afraid I can't be your "worthless-piece-of-bleep) but I'm sure we can reach an understanding.

As the old saying goes: "you don't know me, I don't know you, Don't know your friends and you don't know mine", so unless you plan to contribute to the lady's conundrum, it would be best for you to be quiet.

Vaya con dios, Larry!!!!!

As for any "beer" request, make sure you remind yourself of the last time I came to "see" you when you went hiding under your bed and calling the Sublette County sheriff's department.

Poor form gents. Please take your personal vendetta somewhere else.

wow, bitch fight, take it elsewhere. We don't want or need it here!

Hello from England. One of my late friends was Deputy Director of Museums for one of our large city museums and, at one time, I was reserve candidate for a post at the British Imperial War Museum in London.

What was imparted to me about any object brought in was this. That the object itself can be researched at leisure. There will be reference works all about it and its variations.

What cannot ever again be researched, if you miss the chance at that moment of contact, is the person that it was associated with. Their history, why they had it, when they acquired it, from where, what they did with it and all that.

So it was always impressed that you put the object to one side, talked to the person that it had come from, wrote it down and if possible got them to sign that "history".

Because often the added value of an object is its provenance and back story. Especially if there is a actual service use connection or with a noted gunshop or well known shooting match or, say in USA your Camp Perry.

So my advice is talk to the lady see what she can tell you then if possible write it up and have her sign it.

GARANDS: Love em.. I had 11 at one time, including an M1-D. Down to 2, but let me share what I can without any details on the rifles you are looking at.
Values can vary widely. From $600 for a beater, to many thousands. Only Winchesters and Springfields were made during WWII. Winchesters are what you would call, rough, compared to Springfields, H&R's or IHC's, but bring the bast premium.
To really determine the value, you would need to get a data sheet, and take them apart one by one, catalog all the parts, then check them against the receiver serial number to see if the individual part numbers are of the right manufacturer, and correct drawing number for the date of the receiver.
DO NOT price the rifle on appearance alone!
What might look like a beater to you, just might be 90%+ correct, and a beautiful rifle could be just a plain old rebuilt mixmaster with a good finish. And there are lots of variations. It might also be a good idea to find someone with a throat erosion gauge and a muzzle gauge.

Go here for detailed info on Garands. Somewhere on this site you can find a datasheet, and the guys that hang out there can provide a lot of detailed knowledge.
JOUSTER.COM

It's pretty much the same with 1911's but I can't help you much there.

My guess would be though, if he was a target shooter, as opposed to a collector, they are likely not in original condition.

The 1903-22, if still original, would be a keeper. Check gunbroker for recent auction prices.

You could spend a month on each of the Grandads and 1911's researching and documenting if you want to get top dollar for them.