Florida Shooters Network

Looking at a CMP weapon to purchase; specs: 1953 H&R Garand; muzzle 3.75 per owner; don't have read on t.e.. All matching parts except gas plug.
Re-stocked with "beautiful military grade walnut stock". That's all the info I have at the time. Can anyone give me as close a ballpark est. as they can?
I would greatly appreciate the input. Thanks in-advance.

I would ask if it was bought as a field grade or service grade. That will get you really close to what it is worth as per CMP. Most rifles usually go on the boards for $100 more than what CMP charges due to wait time etc..

H&R field grade $495
H&R service grade $595


FIELD GRADE: (Fair to Good)
Field Grade Rifles. Most of these rifles have been refinished or rebuilt at least once while in military service and will likely have some parts from other manufacturers. Fair to good condition. Rifle wear will be exhibited by worn and mixed colors of the finish; there may be some minor pitting on the metal parts; wood will be basically sound but may be well used with minor hairline cracks, and many dings, scratches and gouges; wood may not match in color, type of wood or condition. These rifles may have some foreign parts and wood may be Walnut, Birch, Beech or other variety. Rifles do not have import marks. Bores will be generally good with only minor imperfections; the barrel crown may be nicked, and the muzzle may gauge more than “3” on muzzle gauge. The Throat Erosion will gauge less than 5 – well within US Army standards. Do not expect rifles in mint condition in this grade.

Manufacturer selection only guarantees the receiver was produced by the manufacturer listed. The barrel and the other parts may have been produced by other manufacturers.

SERVICE GRADE: (Good to Very Good)
Service Grade Rifles show less wear and better appearance than Field or Rack Grades. Good to very good condition. Rifle wear will be exhibited by worn and mixed colors of the parkerized finish. There may be some minor pitting on the metal parts. Wood will be either Walnut, Birch, Beech or other variety and will be basically sound but may have minor hairline cracks, dings, scratches and gouges. Wood may not match in color or type of wood. Wood may be of new production on Service Grade Garands. Bores will be generally good with only minor imperfections. The barrel crown may be nicked, but the muzzle will gauge "3 or less" and the throat erosion will gauge less than 5.

Manufacturer selection only guarantees the receiver was produced by the manufacturer listed. The barrel and the other parts may have been produced by other manufacturers.

CORRECT GRADE: (Very Good to Excellent)
Correct Grade Rifles are similar to the Service Grade (above), but will show less wear and use. Correct Grade rifles will have all correct parts for the date of manufacture with 80% or better overall original metal finish. The stock and handguards will be of walnut and correct for the rifle but will have some dings, dents, scratches and marring of the wood finish. Stocks will have the appropriate original inspector's cartouche. The rifle bore will be very good with no significant defects and with a throat erosion of less than 4 and a muzzle wear of 2 or less. Very good to excellent condition. Limited quantities are occasionally available. Prices start at $1100 depending on manufacturer.

COLLECTOR GRADE: (Excellent)
Collector Grade Rifles have 95% or better overall original metal finish. Rifle bores are excellent with throat erosion under 3 and muzzle wear of 2 or less. Collector Grade rifles have all original parts as they came from the manufacturer. Wood will have a few handling marks and minor dings and scratches. Stocks have the appropriate inspector's cartouche. Data sheets prepared by CMP armorers are included in the butt trap of each Collector Grade Rifle. Excellent condition - little or no use. Limited quantities are occasionally available. Prices start at $1500 depending on manufacturer..

Thanks for the help, G23MAN. I am familiar with the CMP grading system and thanks for posting it, too.
My big objective is figuring out the going value (within reason) of this particular rifle. I don't know what
grade it is unfortunately. It was a CMP purchase some 20 years ago so hoping it is much better than some
of the rack grades or correct grades I have seen. So, while matching parts is good having non-matching
parts was also SOP by armories, too. This rifle has been re-stocked as no cartouches present and has the
non-matching gas plug. Of course, I could get a Schuster adj. plug or even find a correct grade plug to
take the non-matching gas plug. Any ideas on value? TIA.

MW is on the high side. A lot of the value depends on matching parts and condition, as you surely are aware of. What are you looking at the M1 to be? Collector? Shooter? Project?
As a formal shooter the MW may hinder your scores. Making anew barrel a must. New stock makes a collector's piece moot unless your idea is a restoration project.
Personally I would not go over $750 for a mix parts FG rifle. The rifle would have to be in pretty good shape for that price. Finish and wood, mix of parts and safe working order. Can you check headspace and throat erosion? A new barrel can be between $200 and up, depending on how much you can do yourself and the barrel you put on it. Something else to take into setting your price limit. Twenty years ago the CMP/DCM grading system did not have FG. Just Service and Rack.
Also check the Op-rod for wear and peening.
Good luck and happy shooting
Post us some pictures if you buy it.

Thanks P5 guy - I'm going to get more specs. before deciding. I want a good shooter. Thanks much.

That MW is a bit high for a great shooter. Course, it is not too bad finding a new barrel.

Dr. Dickie wrote:That MW is a bit high for a great shooter. Course, it is not too bad finding a new barrel.

Thanks Dr.. I sent another email to the seller and checking to see what the specs are and if he has some pics.
I'll label this one: a work in-progress. Thanks again for all info., Gentlemen. As always great members with great info.

Di you get it, hows it shoot??