Very Off Topic Request

[James_Douglas]

Hi All,

I am on the hunt for a WW-II M1 Garand. I plan on getting a core and having it rebuilt, to better than new, by a well know shop here just south of San Francisco.

I could just buy a core from the restorers, but I would like to see if I can find one that a WW-II vet brought home and his family has no intention of keeping when he dies. This is for my personal use and is not a fishing expedition for re-sale. So if anyone thinks they may know a WW-II vet, or family of same, that would not mind seeing dads history going to a good home, let me know.

Also, I was show yesterday a number of WW-II serial numbered receivers that had been "constructed" or "repaired" with welding and re-machining. Not something you want 4 inches from your face! That is why if I get one from a private part it must have perfect provenance.

Asking around San Francisco proper for such an item is a lost cause for the obvious reasons...

Thanks guys, James

[Norm's Coupe]

James,

I seriously doubt that you'll find one that someone brought home from WWII. Those rifles had to be turned back into the supply room when someone got out of the service, or transferred from one duty station to the next.

For what it's worth, I was issued an M1 Garand rifle when I was in basic training back in 1961. It was turned in when I completed basic. On arrival in Korea I was issued and M2 semi automatic Carbine and some people were issued the M1 Garand. That was in 1962/63. That was turned in when I left Korea for someone else to use. On return state side I was issued another M1 which I turned in when I went to France. In France I was issued another M1, again, that one got turned in when I left France. You were not allowed to take weapons home, regardless of the weapon condition. Based on that even the M1 that was issued to someone up until the early 90's could have been of WWII vintage.

Not only were you not allowed to take the weapon home, you didn't even have it in your possession unless you were in combat, or at the rifle range. All other times it had to be stored under lock and key at the supply room. That was even true for me while stationed in Seoul, Korea during 62/63.

[James_Douglas]

Norm,

I do realize that it is a needle in a hay stack. Not may of the guys smuggled their rifles out as it was a big deal if they got caught.

That said, I do know of a few that did seep out as I have had seen a few about 20 years ago.

So figured I would ask around just in case...

James

[Young Ed]

James I think I read somewhere that at the end of WWII there was such a surplus of equipment that returning GIs were offered a chance to buy some of their equipment.

[Norm's Coupe]

That rifle was a little long. Looks like something that big would be hard to smuggle out, but anything is possible.

It was also not allowed to bring back enemy military items after WWII. Guess many did smuggle out small items though. My father brought home a German bayonet and a family friend of ours smuggled a German helmet out right after the war.

Now you did it. I wonder what ever happened to that bayonet? Going to have to check with my mother next time I go visit her to see whatever happened to it. I had forgotten about that until you mentioned smuggling.

[PatS....]

A good friend has a German helmet her dad brought back with a bullet hole in it!!

The story isn't known.

What the heck do you do with something like that? Not something I would want,

[Norm's Coupe]

A good friend has a German helmet her dad brought back with a bullet hole in it!!

The story isn't known.

What the heck do you do with something like that? Not something I would want,

Pat, the same reason we collect our cars. Nostalgia.

[Johnny S]

James, I would suspect that you are familiar with the DCM program...yes? They still offer Garands to qualified members of the public at a fairly reasonable cost. I think its in the $450 dollar range ... maybe a little more in the next round of offerings. I bought one about 8-10 years ago for about 275. Shooting it is absolutely fantastic and the history it carries with it may well be immortal. Plus, there will soon be a release of the M-1 Carbines....I believe starting in late March or into April sometime. Watch for it if you have any interest at all. You can also buy new from Springfield Armory.

[Norm's Coupe]

Those M1's were great rifles. You could hit a fly with one of those at 300 yards.

[55 Fargo]

Some of my favorites are what we use at work, the Colt AR 15 9 mm Carbine, the Colt 223, the Glock 9mm handgun, the 38 special revolver. But my favorite all purpose weapon is the Remington 12 gauge wingmaster shotgun, great for riots in prisons. I also still love my old 303 British Enfield, and the ever popular Winchester model 94, 30 30 lever action....Fred ps I own a 1899 Cooey 22 rifle been in my family since that time

[James_Douglas]

I have a friend that shoots at a range for fun. I had to give up a VERY nice toy many years back because of the California law changes and I lost a LOT of money on it.

So, I am getting one because I can and to practice with my friends. I am aware of the CMP but the price of their rifles is the same buying on from the shop that I plan to have re-work it to better than new condition. When you get one, you also don't get any choice on serial number. It could have been made in 1959.

If I cannot connect with someone and get one with a known history, then I will just buy one outright, and rebuilt, from the local shop that does that work. They have enough cores on-hand to give me a serial number from WW-II.

Best, James

[Frank Blackstone]

Hey Norm Seems we share priorities on weapons. Started with PPK 7.65, then Wingmaster which is one of a few that you can hold on the trigger and fire as fast as you can pump. It was police issued with a folding metal stock. I like Old School, wouldn't you know so i choose a 38 revolver for when I CCW. My shooting instructor advised since I do not practice fire enough to be proficient in the drills that a revolver would meet my needs. FBI 147 gr load with a full wadcutter would do the job. I got my M-1 that had oversees thru my arms dealer friend. It is rough but it ain't no garage queen. My shooting buddies to young to have been issued Garands are impressed that I kick there butts offhand at 200 yards. I don't need no stinkin' scope. I have the serial number for the production dates if anyone needs that info. Keep your powder dry, Frank

[Norm's Coupe]

Frank,

I'm not really into firearms of any kind. I've never owned one of my own and to be honest never had a desire to. The only time I ever had a rifle or pistol in my hands was while in the army, and that was only on the firing range except during the Cuban Missile crisis while in Korea. (other than at carnivals). When in the service though I always qualified on the range as expert with the M1, M2 semi automatic and 45 automatic. The M1 is a great distance rifle. The M2 was used for closer range combat because it doesn't have the distance the M1 has.

The last time I fired a weapon was at a carnival (you know those with the crooked sights). The last time I did that was about 17 years ago. Takes me two loads at the carnival, but on the second load I can shoot the star out in a circle and leave the rest of the paper there. Last time I did that the guy tried to switch rifles on me. Told him no, reload the same one and give it back. I had my Kentucky windage down on that one so knew how far the sights were off. After shooting the star out he wouldn't let me go again with the same rifle, so took my prize and walked away.

When my father passed away my mother tried to give me my fathers 38. Told her I didn't want it and had her turn it over to the police department for disposal.

If in long range combat though, or hunting that M1 would be a good choice. Not into that though.

[randroid]

I dunno. I have a WWII practice bomb that I found on a nature walk with a retired biology teacher who was pointing out the rare plants that bloom only after two weeks of rain on the Mojave Desert and telling me what good they do. We'd walked about a mile or so when we came upon an asphalt "sidewalk" that was very overgrown with shrubs and wasn't going in a straight line. There were pieces of rusted metal all over the place, along with can-shaped detonators, and then more "sidewalks" as we strolled toward the bull's eye of a WWII practice range. Under a Cat Claw tree he showed me the remains of what looked to be a full bomb so I got a piece of shrapnel and dug it out. I still have it and will eventually find a favored spot for it. During the Gulf War it sat above the bar of our local watering hole and everybody but me gets nervous when they see it.

Why do I keep it? I guess it's partly because the old man who led me to it was a WWII Vet with two Purple Hearts and a niggardly pitance of thanks, partly because my Dad was a Night Fighter Pilot for the USMC from 1942 on and could have conceivably dropped it, but mostly because I think it's really bitchin' to have an un-exploded WWII bomb in my garage.

I remember a comedian explaining the difference between "stuff" and "junk", with "stuff" being what you spend your life cherishing and "junk" being what your survivors rumage through.

Ain't it a gas?

-Randy

[PatS....]

I dunno. I have a WWII practice bomb that I found on a nature walk with a retired biology teacher who was pointing out the rare plants that bloom only after two weeks of rain on the Mojave Desert and telling me what good they do. We'd walked about a mile or so when we came upon an asphalt "sidewalk" that was very overgrown with shrubs and wasn't going in a straight line. There were pieces of rusted metal all over the place, along with can-shaped detonators, and then more "sidewalks" as we strolled toward the bull's eye of a WWII practice range. Under a Cat Claw tree he showed me the remains of what looked to be a full bomb so I got a piece of shrapnel and dug it out. I still have it and will eventually find a favored spot for it. During the Gulf War it sat above the bar of our local watering hole and everybody but me gets nervous when they see it.

Why do I keep it? I guess it's partly because the old man who led me to it was a WWII Vet with two Purple Hearts and a niggardly pitance of thanks, partly because my Dad was a Night Fighter Pilot for the USMC from 1942 on and could have conceivably dropped it, but mostly because I think it's really bitchin' to have an un-exploded WWII bomb in my garage.

I remember a comedian explaining the difference between "stuff" and "junk", with "stuff" being what you spend your life cherishing and "junk" being what your survivors rumage through.

Ain't it a gas?

-Randy

Wow...is it still live? Don't they get unstable and become liable to explode without reason?

Glad I don't live next door!!!

[randroid]

Pat,

When I make an error I'm old enough to say "the 60's were very good to me..."

Tomorrow I'll try to remember to take a picture of it and post it on the bucket, but just because it didn't explode a half-century ago doesn't mean it might not explode tonight. Isn't that what makes it fun?

Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

It's a split accordian with no charge anywhere; it's a relic of an age gone by that may have occurred before our memory but gives me a personal tie to a time that was not more simple but made more sense. With an MBA in Political Economics I need a little encouragement now and then.

-Randy

[DutchEdwin]

I have a friend that shoots at a range for fun. I had to give up a VERY nice toy many years back because of the California law changes and I lost a LOT of money on it.

So, I am getting one because I can and to practice with my friends. I am aware of the CMP but the price of their rifles is the same buying on from the shop that I plan to have re-work it to better than new condition. When you get one, you also don't get any choice on serial number. It could have been made in 1959.

If I cannot connect with someone and get one with a known history, then I will just buy one outright, and rebuilt, from the local shop that does that work. They have enough cores on-hand to give me a serial number from WW-II.

Best, James

James,

I live in the Netherlands. A lot of stuff stayed in my country after WWII. Mostly this American stuff is easier to find here than over there at your place. We have special clubs on all items of the war. From keeping the military cars running to replaying war-scenes for audiences. They do have everything like it was back then. If you need to come into contact with these people, I can try to direct you to them. One of the biggest museum of WWII in the word in only a few miles from where I live. It's quite impressive http://www.oorlogsmuseum-overloon.nl/uk/default.htm

[JohnS48plm]

My father passed away in Feb and i got his 30-06 Springfield. We used to hunt deer with it in northern Michigan. When dad was in the phillipines during the war he shipped a Japanese rifle back to my grandfather, I still have that one. Dad was in Hawaii in 1942 and they sent him to fix some trucks for the Hawaii national guard. He went to the island of Niihau and while he was there he got parts off of a Japanese Zero that had crash landed there during the Pearl Harbor attack.

[James_Douglas]

My father passed away in Feb and i got his 30-06 Springfield. We used to hunt deer with it in northern Michigan. When dad was in the phillipines during the war he shipped a Japanese rifle back to my grandfather, I still have that one. Dad was in Hawaii in 1942 and they sent him to fix some trucks for the Hawaii national guard. He went to the island of Niihau and while he was there he got parts off of a Japanese Zero that had crash landed there during the Pearl Harbor attack.

John,

Hang on to those Zero parts....If I ever get this place built (http://www.Pursuitfield.com) maybe I can get you do donate them...

James