Well... An interesting day. I find myself to be the proud owner of an M1 Garand. And a bunch of ammo in clips and a bandoleer.
There’s this old timer (”T”) at da waterin’ hole that I’ve known for years. Former Marine vet, maybe since the Spanish-American war. 900 years old. Parkinsons now. Gruff and snarlin’ old curmudgeon. Like I said... A swell guy. People love him to death. He’s an institution around here.
Well in a conversation some weeks back I’d said that someday I wanted an M1 in my inventory.
So T comes to me and wants to sell me his Garand. I express interest. Couple days later he really needs to sell, and like now. I know he’s got some some money issues. Price he wants is about avg for a good condition springfield. He’s no expert, heritage notwithstanding. And wasn’t really sure of the provenance of the rifle. Got it.
He had hocked it for the cash some weeks back. But went to pick it up and buy it back. They let him buy it back, but get this... Wouldn’t give it to him. They had to do an instant-check to “transfer” his own rifle back to him, and the ATF put a “3-day hold” on the transfer. Not sure what they would ultimately say. Apparently, T had some youthful indiscretions (again, circa the S-A war). His ability to recover the rifle (merely to sell to me anyway) was in doubt. But they could transfer it to me directly.
Well... Today we get together and go look at the rifle. Frankly... It was a little disappointing. It had a springfield barrel, in great shape, dated 1953 but it went downhill from there. A C.A.I. receiver, apparently unfired. The stock is Benelli, with Dutch markings, and fair condition at best. Looks like it spent a few minutes in a cement mixer. It was a well-used stock for sure. But no splits. Just dents.
So I was torn. It wasn’t the springfield M1 that I wanted, and the price was way too high. But its a shooter. It’ll work just fine, though I may have a gunsmith check it out before I fire it.
But I challenge anyone to look a man like T in eye, with his life story, and tell him he’s wrong, when his rent is due.
So I bought the rifle. And I feel good about it anyway.
Anyway. That was my day.