Anyone want to guess how much it will go for?

[Caesar1]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214621828

[edpm3]

$70,000 at least.

[2111]

Depending on the reserve it may not sell at all. Not as much money around now as in the past for this type of investment. Alot of the folks with the deep pockets also got hit real hard, depending on where there money was. We shall see.

[Garandy]

Awesome

[Rick B]

I'm waiting to hear someone try to say it has a Wincheter stock on it, LOL. Perfect example of what I have been telling folks for years about SA having the arched underside first and early WRA's not having it. Rick B

[Doug Ford]

Wonderful rifle! I also enjoyed looking at both side of the stock where he used it to align the cartridge tips in the clip.

[Ben Hartley]

Um... er... pardon my cynicism, but this "vet bring back" rifle is just too good to be true. Sorry, but the story reeks of fish! (Yesterday's fish.) It's not quite as bad as "the rifle m'gran'daddy fit the war with," but it's close. Genuine gastrap? Well, maybe, but I'd bet serious money against it.

Ben Hartley

[dave]

I wonder how he managed to take the rifle home? That would be the interesting story. I saw no proof this was the actual rifle he had in Europe. Expensive story!

[Garden Valley]

I'd like to hear how he managed to keep it throughout the war and then bring it home ......

[M1Riflenut]

Nice. VERY NICE. In fact, I got a special feeling in my shorts looking at that one and I did'nt have to take a little blue pill either!

[Bodyman]

Some theatres were pretty strict, but in many theatres officers were allowed to purchase their firearms after the war (rifles and pistols) if they desired. Enlisted could also but needed an officer to sign off.

Many of the 'dufflebag' or 'vet-bringback' stories are the guys who were just trying to get out of paying for it, or guys that were trying to bring back more than they were allowed.

I can't smell the story - didn't even bother to read it. The rifle speaks for itself and it seems to be telling one mighty fine story as far as I can hear ...

AMHO.

[gunny]

I'd like to hear how he managed to keep it throughout the war and then bring it home ......

The old adage.....buy the gun, never the "story"
Sure looks nice though!
Gunny

[Matt K.]

Damn! The wife said "No." I should have learned my lesson after the Shelby Cobra incident.....

[Art]

Collectors Firearms has one of the handful of Type 5 7.7mm Japanese self loading rifles. Total producation was under 100 and possibly under 50. The rifle is in unissued condition which is not surprising because none of them were issued.

They want $40,000.00 for it. That should give some Idea of the value of the subject rifle of this thread. Money is tight right now :-( collectables are starting to go begging which means it can be a good time to buy if you have some disposable money

[t44e6]

I'm no expert, but shouldn't it have lockbar sights if it is original down to the last screw? Or am I mistaken?:icon_scratch:

[Garandy]

Pre lock bar, flush nut

[JohnF]

Damn....................................

Timing is bad for me. All my money is tied up in off shore oil leases and trust funds. You guys go ahead without me.

[t44e6]

Pre lock bar, flush nut

Thanks! I like to learn something every day.

[Defender3]

I've known Frank for years back to the late '80's when we both had FFLs and we're doing the local shows together in NoVA. He always had a knack for coming up with some great stuff due to his connections and people he knows.

I saw this rifle at theNation's show in Chantilly a while back. It was sitting on his table when I walked by. I shot him a wry smile because most people in the show walked by his table thinking it was just another Garand. Frank let me strip the rifle and look it all over - it was a real treat to hold and examine a GT! Then, when I started to read the story of the Vet, I was really moved that this rifle is a piece of history. Frank was also nice enough to send me loads of hi-res pictures of the rifle showing all the details.

I'm not sure what the rifle will go for considering it's on GB, but I disagree that there is no money out there for quality pieces. Somehwere there's a guy who need a GT for his collection and wanted the right rifle, this may be it, and if it is, I bet this will go towards $50K due to the documented history. Just my 2 cents and even thought I know Frank, I have no interests in his auction whatsoever.

Nation's is coming up next week in Chantily VA, maybe the rifle will be there again before it's sold. The last show Frank has this GT right next to his original rod bayonet '03.

RICKB - I don't understand why people are still giving you a hard time about the SA SPGs, there is so much photographic evidence of the SPGs, showing that arch, that there should be no discussion. Here's a picture of my SPG that I parted with last year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/defender3va/SA%20SPG/DSC_0444-1.jpg

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I doubt he used the rifle throughout the war. If you read this listing in the auction, it says “he still owns the M1 rifle issued in Panama to replace the broomstick rifle used in training”, it is very possible that he retained the rifle in his possession after training, returned stateside for leave and then "left" the rifle at home when called to serve overseas. Still just a story. The rifle however speaks for itself. Proof that the stuff is still out there.

Crazy money was not an issue for the M40 offered by CMP a few months ago, and for the right person with deep enough pockets this rifle will do well also.

[Art]

It will bring a premium. I would guess over $30,000.00. The way I've seen expensive collectables marked down lately though I doubt it'll bring much more than $40,000.00 of course I've been wrong before. If it was still 2006 I think it might well bring the $70,000.00 mentioned before.

Being sold at auction will drive up the price.

[Gyrene]

At $32,000.00 the reserve has not been met, so he is definitely in it for the long haul!

I was fortunate enough to hold a GT, in my sweaty hands, many years ago, but if I remember correctly they were asking about 3 years of my wages for it. The EX said the kids couldn't go without eating for 2 years, and the rent would have to be paid before that, too, so as usual I had to pass it up!

I saw that a Japnese Type 5 sold a few years ago for $19,000.00 at the James Julia Auction House. I bid, (the EX is not around, and the kids are on their own), but when it got to $12,000.00 I just couldn't go for it (that is a fact), I knew it would sell for far more, but you never know when you just might get lucky. A friend of mine, US Army WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam told me he had 2 of the Type 5's while he lived in Japan, post WWII, one had been bubba reworked into a straight pull, and the other had cycling problems, but when it worked, it was a joy to shoot (not as good as a Garand, still).

Gyrene VSM - OFC

semper fi

[Major Tom]

I need that rifle ..................oh, and someone's bank account numbers!

[leemozoid]

I'd like to hear how he managed to keep it throughout the war and then bring it home ......

I'm guessing most of you have never heard of "Ole's Rifle". Go back through your GCA Journals a few years and read about his M1. That may shed some light on how some of these made it home with the vets.

[M1Riflenut]

Does the vet bring back story really matter?
The rifle speaks for itself.
"Buy the gun, not the story."

[tiredude]

The front handguard has a crack... I guess I'll pass on this one.

[Doug Douglass]

I am aquainted with the seller, for any of you that think this rifle is less orgional than stated you would be wrong. Frank has, handles and sells very high end quality items. Look at his Ebay store under the name KHESANH:icon_salut:

By the way Frank, an outstanding piece of history..Doug

[joem]

" I also enjoyed looking at both side of the stock where he used it to align the cartridge tips in the clip". One of my M1's has the bullet marks on the right side of the stock. Guy's at the range usually ask why I haven't sanded or changed the stock. I wouldn't dream of it. History gentleman.

[John Sukey]

Reminded me of the WW1 story. Unit just arrived in france was ordered to turn in their 03's and be issued M1917's. One soldier made such a fuss that the officer decided to find out why. The serial number on his Springfield was 1! :eek: Turns out the rifle had been upgraded at the arsenal and issued. It was promptly packed up and sent back to the states!

Many years go I did get to see a Pedersen Garand at our local gun show. Didn't bother to ask the price as I KNEW I didn't have that kind of money:D

[TomM1]

That rifle was at the last Chantilly show. Wonder if it will be there this weekend?

[Gunny56]

You know, that M1 Gas Trap is probably the best documented gun I have ever seen of its kind, probably the best ever listed for sale. With its provenance, like the news article interview with the Vet, and the spec sheet of the exact gun with serial number in Billy Pyles Gas Trap Garand book, it undoubtedly 100% original. If money was not an issue for me I would gladly pay $100,000.00 for it. After all, check some of the gun auction results were a Henry Rifle for one example will bring $180,000.- $200,000. plus. Its anyone guess were it will end but I sure hope I hit the lotto this week!

[cruiserdan]

19059 (summer 2008 GCA magazine, pages 15-27) is almost new compared to this rifle. Scott Duff handled the sale of that rifle at that time and it did not go to 6 digits.

[Johnny P]

The Gas Trap that came out of Little Rock, Arkansas some 15 or so years ago was virtually new. It was advertised in the local paper as an "Old Garand" and had no responses. The owner took it to the Little Rock gun show asking $750 as that is what someone told him it was worth. No one at the show would give $750, so he sold it for $500. The buyer took it to a dealer that had a pistol he wanted and traded it for the pistol and $500. The dealer took the rifle to the Houston show and sold it to Peter Cardone for $1250. Peter then ask $60,000, and ended up trading it for a pile of high quality M1 Rifles.
One of those times when I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I had gone to another gun show the weekend it was brought to the Little Rock show. My wife ask if I would have known what it was, and I assured her I would have know from 50 feet away. I knew the first and second new owners, and can't believe neither one knew what it was. The first new owner was at the Tulsa show where Peter Cardone had it out for sale, and turned pale as a ghost when I told him his rifle was for sale at $60,000.

[EarlB]

Oh now that is an interesting story...I was at the Tulsa show and saw that gun. Didn't look real close at it because it was during my Japanese collecting heyday but I remember it and him from the Tulsa shows. Small world. Earl


The Gas Trap that came out of Little Rock, Arkansas some 15 or so years ago was virtually new. It was advertised in the local paper as an "Old Garand" and had no responses. The owner took it to the Little Rock gun show asking $750 as that is what someone told him it was worth. No one at the show would give $750, so he sold it for $500. The buyer took it to a dealer that had a pistol he wanted and traded it for the pistol and $500. The dealer took the rifle to the Houston show and sold it to Peter Cardone for $1250. Peter then ask $60,000, and ended up trading it for a pile of high quality M1 Rifles.
One of those times when I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I had gone to another gun show the weekend it was brought to the Little Rock show. My wife ask if I would have known what it was, and I assured her I would have know from 50 feet away. I knew the first and second new owners, and can't believe neither one knew what it was. The first new owner was at the Tulsa show where Peter Cardone had it out for sale, and turned pale as a ghost when I told him his rifle was for sale at $60,000.

[boykin]

Do you think the person that bid 32K is a novice or idiot. I will take some of your serious money. Can we agree on who holds the money and who authenticates the Garand?

[M1Riflenut]

Do you think the person that bid 32K is a novice or idiot. I will take some of your serious money. Can we agree on who holds the money and who authenticates the Garand?

Anyone bidding on that rifle is no idiot. They know what it is. Like the post earlier says, if I hit the damn lottery I'd buy it no matter what it took. Show me another one like it for sale. How many authentic gas traps are out there? maybe a dozen? two dozen?

[Latigo 1]

Do you think the person that bid 32K is a novice or idiot. I will take some of your serious money. Can we agree on who holds the money and who authenticates the Garand?

Why is there always someonewho feels he has to step up and start calling people names, just because they place a high bid on something. There is only one novice or idiot here and it is certainly not the guy doing the bidding.

[dryheat]

Anyone with 32K(to bid on toys) is not an idiot.
Uhh, Boy?

[Garandy]

I agree with Dave M1 riflenut..If I had the scratch, it would be mine too..its a beauty..the big $$ will step in with 15 mikes to go

[boykin]

How much would the gentlemen like to bet?

[bigbore]

I don't expect it to get bid much/if $40K in this economy. I'm very confident it wont meet the reserve.

[cwbuff]

Auction ended with reserve not met at $45K.

[goo]

i dunno but shouldn't it have a lock bar rear sight ?

[Bill D]

i dunno but shouldn't it have a lock bar rear sight ?

No. The "flush nut" or spanner nut is absolutely correct. There is nothing wrong with that rifle.

[carym2a]

Well the market just couldnt being its self to the level needed , 45000 and no sale!

[cruiserdan]

No. The "flush nut" or spanner nut is absolutely correct. There is nothing wrong with that rifle.


Actually there is something wrong with it.......

It's not in my safe................:eusa_wall:

[Bill D]

b
Actually there is something wrong with it.......

It's not in my safe................:eusa_wall:

Should of been in there bidding. I suspect $50,000 was the reserve. It could have been in your safe.

[dryheat]

50K! I just don't know (shaking head). People with money will always have money but how many people with that kind of money are really that much into garands. Those kind of people are usually bidding at Christies or Sothbeys on art.
But then someone bid 45K. I'm just astounded. Thinner air than I 'm in.

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I don't know, the money is there for the right piece, especially if somebody really wants it...even moreso if two people really want it!! My head is still spinning from the M40 auctioned by CMP a couple of months ago that went for upwards of $35K, definitely thought this Garand would top $50K. It may end up sold if the seller and top bidder can get together, and it would be a nice, no apologies rifle to add to a collection. Magnificent example of an early, early rifle.

[ltcboy]

If you bought it, you would have to keep it for at least 12 yrs to actually get your profit out of it. That rifle, while all of us want it, is a white elephant. Tough sale, maybe he should have gone to Rock Island or another high end auction house to sell it.


Mike