I'm looking for a WWII M1 Garand but need some help. I would really like to get a "bring back" rifle that a GI actually took back from the war. I'm looking for it to be as original as possible. Obviously, there are plenty of shady people that will fabricate a story about where a rifle came from.

What can I look for to tell me if a gun was truly brought back or if it was sold by the government after the war?

Is there any legal issue with owning a "bring back" rifle?

Are there any dealer that specialize in these type of Garands?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Check out this site. http://www.thegca.org
It's the garand collectors association.

CMP sells what your looking for. Look them up. It isn't hard to get a garand from them. Condition might be up in the air...but it's the real deal.

The culver forum: http://www.jouster.com/forums/
The CMP forum: http://forums.thecmp.org/

Those are both great sources of info.

I believe if anyone tries to guaranty a particular rifle saw service they'd be stretching it.

Any purchase from the old DCM or CMP would have paperwork with it. DCM/CMP paperwork definitely proves the legacy of the rifle never included some shady importer slapping parts together.

My CMP Garand is a great shooter. Looks good too.

And cmp ships to your door.

My father owns one that he got from a government auction, not 100% sure it was at d day or not but it sure looks like it. Nicks and scratches all over it and a little rust or tarnishing. Either way it's an awesome rife!

I'd order one from the CMP....or even better, drive to Anniston, AL and pick you own. Its a nice drive and you can pick from over a hundred.

A lot of folks have luck by including a small note with their mail orders of what they would like and they usually get it.

If I didn't do either of those, I'd make a post in the WTB CMP Forums. Most of those guys are pretty trustworthy, just like here.

I agree. About the only way to have proof is if a veteran had a diary, notes, or letters written right before D-Day that mentioned his rifle's serial number.

The M1 saw service till the 60s, most were armory or factory refurbished at some point.

Unless it got stashed in an arms rack somewhere odd and hidden away, most of them are rarely 'all matching' but most of them will have seen service somewhere.

H&R's are all postwar, but any of the other manufacturers, if the basic receiver date is correct (pre 45).....odds are, it served, somewhere, in WW2. Maybe not with all the original parts involved (new barrel, new bolt, etc) but the receiver can at least be dated.

Aaand for a little THF Garand porn...

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3718141/1

Thanks guys, the CMP forums are a big help!

Yup, entertaining reading and a good group. TONS of useful info available there.