Win-13...how rare are these in the wild?

[John Browning]

I've got a chance at a Win-13, haven't seen it yet, but I'm doing my research. I know the general factoids about what's in Duff and Canfields book (but it's the first edition), what the parts generally are, etc. I have a Win

How rare are these out in the world? I know the production figures are around 39,000, but do they really command a premium even if it is just an otherwise mixmaster rebuild rifle? What do these Win-13s go for these days?

Basically, please regale me with tales of your awesome Win-13 collections, knowledge, etc. Thanks!

[beerman]

Personally, I’ve never owned one, but I’v Ran across many over the years. That said, there are no big gunshows any more, so most are in old guys safes. The market dictates prices and Winnie’s command a premium over all other makers and 13s command a premium over most other Winnie’s. If in decent shape and mostly matching, buy it.

[John Browning]

It's a $1000 sight unseen, so absent import marks or major issues, I guess that's a fair price these days?

Sadly, I agree that with no more big shows, the good stuff seems to have disappeared into old guys safes. There are some collections that get posted here that just blow my mind, and I feel like I have some pretty decent stuff. Beetle and highpower never cease to amaze, and there are many others, too.

[highpower]

For a grand, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Then it could disappear into my safe.

In fact if you decide to pass on it, and it's okay with him, pm me the sellers contact info and if he will ship it, I'll buy it sight unseen.

[John Browning]

For a grand, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Then it could disappear into my safe.

In fact if you decide to pass on it, and it's okay with him, pm me the sellers contact info and if he will ship it, I'll buy it sight unseen.

Your taste in guns is as impeccable as your nose for a great deal. This is pretty much all I needed to know. I'll post up pictures when I pick it up next Tuesday.

But I'd still love to know any stories about why Winchester overran serial numbers or did the Win-13 markings.

[Mustang]

A few years back I lucked out and got Winchester Garand #1624407 from the CMP...pretty much right in the middle of the Win-13 grouping. Has a few Winchester parts, including the barrel.

[kcheung2]

I vaguely recall someone had one listed here a few months back, he didn't get the price he wanted so he put it on gunbroker, I think it ended around $1300. Again, my memory's real fuzzy about the details.

[THBailey]

Sorry, but what is a Win-13? Thanks.

[The Gleam]

Sorry, but what is a Win-13? Thanks.

Late run of Winchester M1 Garand; the receiver front leg is marked with 'D28291-13WIN'

[TRAP55]

It was the last contract of Garands for Winchester, granted in Feb. of 1945. They knew the war would soon be over, and didn't want to get stuck with a bunch of parts if the contract was canceled with the war's end. This was pretty much the typical Winchester "parts cleanup". The parts are all Winchester, but they came from all the years they made them, and the different production revisions.
The Receiver drawing number ended with WIN-13, all the other rifles the produced ended with a -2. The serial number block for the contract wasn't sequential. The numbers block was lower than guns built far earlier. I don't think that has ever been explained.
Winchester Garands bring a premium, just like the Carbines do. Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't see the money these WIN-13's bring, it's a leftover parts gun.

[socom2shooter]

1000 bucks sight unseen is a good price for a winchester, especially a win13 due to rarity. Just for price comparison, *if/when* cmp has winchesters in stock they charge 850 for a field grade and 950 for a service grade winchester, contrary to the 750 price for a normal SA/HRA service grade.

[kendog4570]

... Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't see the money these WIN-13's bring, it's a leftover parts gun.

This. Almost ANY M1 with "correct" parts these days is a kit-bashed reverse mixmaster. I would much rather have one with "good" parts than one with "correct" parts.

[Mustang]

It was the last contract of Garands for Winchester, granted in Feb. of 1945. They knew the war would soon be over, and didn't want to get stuck with a bunch of parts if the contract was canceled with the war's end. This was pretty much the typical Winchester "parts cleanup". The parts are all Winchester, but they came from all the years they made them, and the different production revisions.
The Receiver drawing number ended with WIN-13, all the other rifles the produced ended with a -2. The serial number block for the contract wasn't sequential. The numbers block was lower than guns built far earlier. I don't think that has ever been explained.
Winchester Garands bring a premium, just like the Carbines do. Maybe I'm missing something, but I just don't see the money these WIN-13's bring, it's a leftover parts gun.

This

I wouldn't pay a premium for a Win-13 Garand. I just happened to get one when I got my SG from the CMP.

[Mustang]

This. Almost ANY M1 with "correct" parts these days is a kit-bashed reverse mixmaster. I would much rather have one with "good" parts than one with "correct" parts.

Agree!

My two nicest Garands are a Letterkenney ("LEAD") and a USMC ("O-66")
marked rebuilds. Neither appear to have seen much use after rebuild.

[kendog4570]

Winchesters are hot because of name recognition, and relative scarcity. They made less of them during WW2. Fit & function wise a Winchester Garand is not any better than a SA, if anything it's probably a step or two behind.