Korea to Begin Broker’s Auction of 84,417 M1 Rifles Destined for USA

By Christopher E. Hill

M1 Garand Rifles
M1 Garand Rifles

USA –-(Ammoland.com)- 86,000 U.S.-made M1 Garand rifles are scheduled for auction and may possibly be coming back to the United States from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to be sold to Americans (June 25).

While the deal is still on– there’s some good news and bad news.

The good news is that progress is being made to repatriate these legendary firearms back to the United States.

The bad news is that we’re only talking about 84,417 M1 Garand rifles now.

Lee Tae-hoon wrote on The Korea Times (South Korea) website:

The Ministry of National Defense has started an online auction for 84,417 M1 Garand rifles used in the 1950-1953 Korean War, ministry officials said Tuesday.

The ministry is trying to find a pair of Korean and American brokers for the deal that will market the old rifles, bought by the ministry at the end of the war, to U.S. veterans. Each rifle can fetch around $500, pushing the total price to more than $40 million.

The ministry plans to have the proceeds directly go to Daewoo Precision to pay for K-2 rifles, each of which is priced at $727.

“All of them are expected to be shipped to the United States for sale,” a ministry official said.

Onbid.go.kr, the state-run Internet auction site, says that the bidding is open until the end of the month.

(Editor’s note: Italics added for emphasis)

While South Korean defense officials confirmed the deal for the M1 Garands is still a “go,” they reminded everyone that anything could happen. Tae-hoon added:

“Though the United States has agreed to allow the importation of the M1 Garand rifles from Seoul, there is a slight possibility that it may reverse its earlier decision if there is a change in gun-control laws or a changed political situation,” an official said.

Gun rights supporters will be watching, I’m sure.

Lee Tae-hoon and The Korea Times have done a great job keeping on top of this developing story. I’m sure American Korean War veterans and their families are most appreciative of the work they’ve done. If you read the whole piece, you’ll even notice yours truly was quoted. Tae-hoon wrote:

Many American gun enthusiasts, including Christopher E. Hill, an editor at Survival And Prosperity, have responded positively after The Korea Times reported on Jan. 19 about the Barack Obama administration’s reversal of its 2010 decision to block the import of the wartime rifles.

“First and foremost, it’s understood that revenue generated by the sale of these M1 Garand rifles will allow Korea to acquire more modern, locally-made Daewoo Precision Industries K2 assault rifles,” he said. “Upgrading Korea’s defense capabilities in light of recent developments in the region might not be such a bad idea.”

He also noted that the M1 rifle has tremendous historical value in the United States as it not only represents American ingenuity in that it outclassed many of its adversaries when it first entered service, but it also symbolized America’s coming of age on the world stage.

Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to describe myself as a “gun enthusiast”– I familiarize myself with firearms-related material as it pertains to my research/blogging about personal safety issues. And here is my full response to Tae-hoon’s question as to why I think U.S. citizens should be able to buy the South Korean Garands:

First and foremost, it’s understood that revenue generated by the sale of these M1 Garand rifles will allow the Republic of Korea to acquire more modern, locally-made Daewoo Precision Industries K2 assault rifles. Upgrading South Korea’s defense capabilities in light of recent developments in the region might not be such a bad idea.

Second, the M1 Garand has tremendous historical value in the United States. John Garand’s creation, which served American troops with distinction in World War Two, Korea, and in the early days of the Vietnam conflict, not only represents American ingenuity in that it outclassed many of its adversaries when it first entered service, but it also symbolizes America’s coming of age on the World Stage.

Third, I understand that other U.S.-made M1 Garand rifles used by America’s allies during the Cold War were repatriated and turned over to the Civilian Marksmanship Program for sale to the U.S. public. Proceeds benefited the non-profit CMP, which along with its predecessors, has been striving “To Promote Firearm Safety and Marksmanship Training With an Emphasis on Youth” since 1903.

Finally, in part due to its historical value and availability through the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the M1 Garand is incredibly popular today among firearm enthusiasts in the United States. According to the CMP website:

“The popularity of the M1 Garand continues to grow as hundreds of new Garand ‘Fun’ Matches are being held all over the USA each year. In the past ten years, the M1 Garand, regardless of condition, has become a very hot collectors’ item and sound financial investment.”

Will the M1 Garands make it back to the U.S.A. and be offered up for sale to Korean War veterans and their families? Stay tuned…

Source:
Tae-hoon, Lee. “Auction begins for brokers on sale of 84,417 M1 rifles.” The Korea Times. 17 Apr. 2012. (https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/04/116_109166.html). 17 Apr. 2012.


About Survival And Prosperity

Survival And Prosperity, “Protecting and Growing Self and Wealth in These Uncertain Times,” is a blog that was created in November 2010 by Chicago-based researcher and veteran blogger Christopher E. Hill which focuses on personal and financial safety and growth for these tumultuous times in the United States. Visit: www.survivalandprosperity.com

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John O. Edgeworth

And YET we still WAIT!

Robert Crowson 928,230,4993

My father (ex sgt) Francis Crowson proudly served in Korea from before the Chinese offensive till we took the land back after the push from Pusan. I would be honored to have one of these rifles to display in memorial of my father (now buried at Veterans Cemetery inPhoenix AZ. He fought from WW2 through Vietnam.

Please keep me updated.

ALEX SHAW

In honor of my father and his service( US Army )in the Korean War between 1951 to 1953. It would be a privilege to own a M1 Garand from the Korean war-era .I would proudly display this in my home accompanied with his service metals in celebration of my family’s American heritage

raymond ingenito

does anyone know when or if these rifles will be available for sale ?? I was a marine back in 1951-53 and would love to
have one.it would bring back so many memories. could you send me any info, it would be appreciated greatly.

Jerry Brown

Please:
I am also USMC, I would more than want one. Let me also know when and how to get 1,or 2
I would like to refurbish if possible. I would put one in a case with a vile of volcanic sand form I.J.
Jerry

Kenneth Corriere

So, will you let me know when & where they are for sale? I would be interested in at least one of them.

james fanara

let me know when the m1 carbine is for sale email.

james mclaughlin

It’s sad that a soldier of 30 years service and
now retired can’t buy a rifle that is no longer
in use.
MSG E8 James E. McLaughlin
71C Patriot Ridge Drive
Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694

Gregory

M1 Grand’s they are our guns. Us Americans paid for them once all ready. M1 Grand’s are a fine rifle. They are the Rifle that won both the Korean War and World War 2. Give the Rifles back. We all ready paid by thousand of lives and equipment to keep the Koreans FREE.

Byl Stehl

The M-1 Garand sold for $89.00 in 1959…I purchased one when I got out of the USMC.

Larry LeBlanc

I am in Seoul and would like to buy an M1. Can you tell me where I can go?

Tom Hill

I would like two of them ,,,

Dan

Read the article before you post. The K-2 is $727 and is made locally in Korea. Hopefully the US Gov. allows for such an auction so this fine rifles make it back to US soil.

Kenneth J. Slade

I am one that does not believe that the Korean Government paid one cent for any of the M-1 Garand Rifles or any of the .30 Caliber Carbines, nor any of the other U.S.property that Korea became the caretaker of.

It is my belief that everything was "Lend Lease" property the same as everything that was distributed to all of the United States Allies after World War II.

When we were evicted from France back in the sixties, untould U.S. Government was returned to the United States control and disposition.

Stu Strickler

Bring them back to the states. If the current administration has heartburn with this, they can take a handfull of Tums!

DaveM

How many times do you want to pay for the same taxpayer provided item (ash trays, toilet seats, hammers)?

50's price with 10-15 % profit margin sounds good to me

Jim

This is a good start, but I really prefer the M-1 carbines that the Obummer administration is still blocking.

CJ

Who cares what we charged 60 years ago! It looks to be a private broker sale, and will be moving on to the general market when they get here. Bring them home!

DaveM

Scuse me, $727 for new ROK rifles

"Each rifle can fetch around $500, pushing the total price to more than $40 million".

Would still like to know how much we charged

ROK for these rifles.

Edward Palumbo

I would be delighted to see these rifles returned to the United States and made available at reasonable cost to military veterans and appreciative shooters. Aside from its contribution to history, the M1 Garand was a superb battle rifle and, with a little gunsmithing, tuning and accessorization, is a fine competition rifle. I hope to learn more of this auction and the availability of these rifles.

DaveM

$727 to buy them back, how much did we charge ROK 60(?) years ago ?

Just guessing it wasn't $727,probably closer to zip, zero, nada.