Want to find out when a SA Garand was built.  A guy at work has one, asking $500.  I'm going to look at it first of the week.  He usually keeps his stuff up well.  Thoughts on price?  Anything a Garand noob needs to look for?

TIA,
Tim

Try here: www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/garand/m1serial.htm

Mike

mr_wilson,

Thanks for the link.  I had looked at battlerifles, though I'm not too familiar with the site.  Never thought to look over at biggerhammer.

Any help on my other questions would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Tim

$500 for a Garand is a screaming deal, IMO.  As long as nothing is super outta wack, it's better than the CMP deal.  If you have headspace gauges great (local 'smith can check for you quick), op rod doesn't jump the track, and gas cylinder looks good, you should be good to go.HTH

Okay.  I bought it!

SN 19125xx, Sept, 1943(?).  Bbl is marked   2 S A 6 44   under the handguard.  I'm guessing it is a June '44 bbl?  Tell me why the bbl was manuf'ed a year later.  Rebbl'ing?  Bore is decent.   Furniture looks decent.  No cracks.  A few dings.  1 about the size of a pencil eraser, or a Nazi brain.  Character mark!  Finish on the bbl forward of the front sight well worn, but absolutely no rust anywhere on the rifle.

I also got 10 clips full of FN 61 headstamped FMJ in the deal.  Function test on 1 clip tells me that she's a "functioner".  

I'll find out whether or not she's a shooter later.

Good deal, or not?

Congrats!  Enjoy your piece of history.