Rock Island Auction Company is no stranger to record-setting Garand rifles with big histories and impressive serial numbers. In 2015, they sold “Shop Model” Garand s/n 7 for $97,750 and President Kennedy’s rifle for $149,500. The following year, Garand prototype T3E2 s/n 15 sold for $172,500 which, at the time, was the highest price ever paid for an M1 Garand.
When the hammer fell on the one millionth Garand rifle this past weekend, the auction set a new world record for the highest amount ever paid for an M1 Garand.
According to Joel R. Kolander, the Interactive Production Manager for Rock Island Auction Company, the final bid price was $287,500. That number falls right in the middle of Rock Island’s pre-auction estimate of $225-$375,000.
The unknown buyer is now part of an impressively short chain of custody that only goes back to two people: inventor John Garand and NRA Past President Allan Cors. Congratulations.
Logan Metesh is a firearms historian and consultant who runs High Caliber History LLC. Click here for a free 3-page download with tips about caring for your antique and collectible firearms.
I own one. Maybe I should double check the serial number. It cost me 369 dollars in 95.
Me too. My dad and I went halves on a really nice one in 1989 for $330.
Did the auction house settle whether the pronunciation is “Ga-RAND”, or “Gare-and”?
I call it a Gar and, like an alligator gar outta Texas
I don’t think that controversy will ever be settled,much like the age old 9 versus 45.
That one has been settled many times.
“If writing a check to the NRA is your whole plan, you’re part of the problem.”
Agree. The 6.5 Creedmajic beats anything short of a death ray or nudet.
“Ga-RAND”, or “Gare-and”?
In a letter to the editor he wrote in the ’40s the man himself said it was the latter.
Thanks for the insight !
Garand rhymes with errand.
“Garand rhymes with errand.”
Got it; thanks.
But why does Ga-RAND sound better?
I guess a feller gets to be called by how he wants his name to sound, even if.
Yeh I know, bought mine for $389 in 94. Thank you Bill Clit on, because that’s I when tooled up, the weapons will last forever but the ammo is getting older, and I’ve got a bunch, along with all the other stuff,( kabooms) for “them”….. Never could secure a functional LAWS though, I’d like to have a few of them, you know, just to look at.
I miss the days when m1 garands were cheap and plentiful. Same with Enfields, Sks, Mosins, and AKs. And the ammo. The ammo was sssoooo cheap.
I understand there are still a few hundred thousand Garands in storage in South Korea. Re-importation was blocked by Obama and Hillary, as I recall.
Seems like the next 6 years might be a good time to petition for another look at that issue.
NCA
I still remember / regret being offered two 6.5 by 55 Swedish Mausers complete to bayonet and original cleaning kit for $130.00 from the importer. My $40 a week 1982 university budget couldn’t stretch that far.
Those Garands are not foreign Aid like the Philippino that just got return, I believe but wholly property of the South Korean government so have to be sold via a private distributor
It’s more complicated than that. Some of them were Foreign Aid, some were FMS. They are all mixed together though. So S. Korea owns some and the US owns others.
Now watch every Garand on Gunbroker instantly get re-listed for $500,000.
I bought one on 10/9/17 from Collectors Firearms for $1525 with my 10% Veteran Discount and free shipping.
Serial number places it near the end of 1955. 5,4XX,XXX.
Condition is 98%. Bluing almost perfect, minor dings in the stock from handling, there was a tiny bit of surface rust at the chamber entrance. Gunsmith checked it out and cleaned it up. New Gas plug for modern ammo. Great shooter, ran 80 rounds of 30-06 API through it.
And you could have purchased a service grade from the CMP for $750 delivered to your door. Sorry you got screwed.
That T3E2 prototype is in .276 Pedersen caliber. I would love to get some range time with one. Maybe I should start a go fund me.
That wasn’t just the one millionth Garand
It had special tiger stripe wood and belonged to John Garand himself.
That is worth a lot.
To have the rifle that the inventor himself used.
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