Of all the manufacturers of M1 Garands,which manufacturer is the most desirable for collectors and why?

The manufacturer who made the least number , why,because they are the hardest to come by.

OK then,who made the least amount?

The International Harvesters are very sought after as well as winchesters.

quote:

Originally posted by dirtbikerider44:
Of all the manufacturers of M1 Garands,which manufacturer is the most desirable for collectors and why?

Dirtbikerider44, I'm not a Garand collector.... but this site might help you out.

Battle Rifle: M1 Garand

Real Garand collectors are VERY PICKY! Parts are marked by maufucturer and having a single "incorrect" manufacturer mark on a part can greatly influence the price.

Thanks guys.

If you want to get quite an education in M1 Garands, I highly recommend the Garand Collector's Association

http://www.thegca.org/index.htm

I joined a couple years ago to qualify for CMP rifle purchasing. It was money well spent. These are hard core, knowledgeable collectors that really know from where they speak. The publication is top-drawer, full of really good stuff.

My suggestion is you buy an honest Garand shooter and get to know/appreciate the rifle. Then you can get into the advanced versions. The only limit will be your checkbook.

Winchesters bring the big bucks as they were only manufactured during WWII(1940-45). IHC's or International Harvesters are next and were not manufactured until after the war (1953-55) as were HRA's or Harrington & Richardsons.(1953-56) SA or Springfield Armory manufactured garands during and after the war, and are most plentiful.

Now the most collectible would probably be the ones manufactured by SA refered to as the gas trap and would have a serial number under 40,000. Next in line would probably be an M1-C, followed by either an M1-D or a certified Natioanal Match rifle, and somewherein the mix would be a Navy trophy rifle in 308.

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My suggestion is you buy an honest Garand shooter and get to know/appreciate the rifle. Then you can get into the advanced versions. The only limit will be your checkbook.

Yeah . . . Damn that checkbook! *LMAO*