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Any opinions on this M3 for sale?


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The gun looks ok from what you can see but really needs something better than 1995 cell phone resolution pictures to see any details.

Not sure what a matching numbered grease gun means.

High priced but maybe willing to take less. If you're interested maybe he can supply better pics and info.

 

John

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Decent looking gun and number matching?? Thats a good laugh as the only part that has a serial number is the receiver. All the rest of the numbers are drawing numbers AND it realistically has to be all Guide Lamp as they were the only game in town. Youd think for $26k they could at least put a sling and Oiler with it???? Im curious as the the serial number to confirm the 1943 date. There were more M3A1s than many realize used during the war. IIRC the M3A1 was fielded late in 1944 or very early 1945 but they did see service.

 

The positive it has-its not had the British loop added as that is a thing for some people. If you want an M3, watch the one on Gunbroker thats sitting at $10.5 or $11k. They had it listed for $22k before and no bites. IMHO this guy is smoking dope at $26k.

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Grease-Gun for sale is an M3...…..so if you are looking for an M3A1, then this is not that model.

Photos do leave a little to be desired...…..can't see condition of finish very well, nor what conditions the markings are. Looks to be several XXXs just to the left of magazine-catch (?).

 

Regards, RichardS

US Army, RET

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Stay on the lookout for a Guide M3A1. They don't come along often, but every now and then. I'm about 5 months into the transfer for one (check cashed 11/19/19).

 

Also, be sure and make the rounds to some of the sites of lesser known dealers. They don't all come up on Sturm and GB, or from Ruben.

 

John

 

 

Guide M3A1.jpg

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You guys are right about the photos, very poor. I really like the look of it overall and the finish but would want better quality photos. Not sure about the price, I guess if it is pristine in original finish... but does appear high to me also.

 

What do you guys think is a fair price for a "museum quality" M3?

 

My M3A1 Guide Lamp is a lot of fun to shoot, but it is a "shooter" as the rear of the receiver was repaired and a new finish applied.

Edited by NFA amnesty
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I bought a pristine M3 C &R with a very low round count (probably 2 digits) for $22,000 when the machinegun market was hot about 2 years ago. But things have cooled down considerably and it's a buyer's market right now. The $26,000 price is way too high. If you really want it, ask the guy for better pics and if they look good make an offer in the low $20s but no more. I got my M3 by putting a WTB ad on Sturmgewehr. M3A1s are much harder to come by and you'll likely pay more for one.

Edited by maxfaxdude
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There is another M3 on Gunbroker right now: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/865106981

This one is not in the greatest of "collector" condition. there are dents and scrapes on the tube... Also, there is a break in the weld around the barrel on the right-hand side that will need to be repaired. And most curious of all, all of the markings have been removed the the mag well... The only markings on the gun is the serial number? My only guess would be its a reweld and the gun was cut through the mag well, or, someone buffed off all the markings... But why would someone do that unless maybe they reapplied a new serial number? Strange.

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Yes the blank (except for serial #) mag well is troublesome but at least the guy is upfront with info on the gun. He has just added a pic of the Form 4. Interesting manufacturer info.

 

 

My incoming M3A1 just says "US" for manufacturer.

 

John

 

Interesting Manufacturer Info.jpg

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Yes the blank (except for serial #) mag well is troublesome but at least the guy is upfront with info on the gun. He has just added a pic of the Form 4. Interesting manufacturer info.

 

 

My incoming M3A1 just says "US" for manufacturer.

 

John

My only concern about the form he posted is the FFL does not return anything in the ATF FFL EZ lookup. Unless its a C&R license, it should. Also, he did not fill in EIN or type... But again, he would no if it were a C&R. Yea, the lack of markings is strange. But I am sure it will make a good shooter, just hope it wasn't "altered" to match the form. But who knows.

Edited by tricky9914
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"There is another M3 on Gunbroker right now: https://www.gunbroke.../item/865106981

 

This one is not in the greatest of "collector" condition. there are dents and scrapes on the tube... Also, there is a break in the weld around the barrel on the right-hand side that will need to be repaired. And most curious of all, all of the markings have been removed the the mag well... The only markings on the gun is the serial number? My only guess would be its a reweld and the gun was cut through the mag well, or, someone buffed off all the markings... But why would someone do that unless maybe they reapplied a new serial number? Strange."------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I may know why the markings were removed from the mag well.

This gun is 867 numbers from my M3. My gun is a REWAT with some British stamps on front of receiver . On my M3 the British installed a horse shoe shaped steel rod over the mag release, to prevent unwanted release of mag. Some people feel the need to remove this rod. When they grind the weld , they partially or completely remove the stamps. The end results look like hell.

On my gun I left the horse shoe in place. Its part of the guns history.

 

On the other hand , the weld at the front of receiver is suspicious.

It appears that the weld has been ground flush with receiver.

The only reason I can think of for doing that would be to replace the threaded bushing.

That would make me nervous.

Perhaps "GOT UZI" will share his opinion.

Jim C

 

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Im also questioning the mark/slot on the trunion area. Looks like it was cut through?? Id like to know why it was ground on the front. Id suspect a major repair happened at some point in its life, Someone tried to remove all markings except the serial number (like on bring back 1911s) OR a major idiot more worried about the little weld marks and ruining the gun but doing dumb shit. Id lean towards the 3rd option. What bothers me more, after looking at these pics on a larger screen, is the fact that there is NO MFG markings on the gun at all now. Who is to say it was actually made by GL and not by someone in their garage?? Too many unknowns on this gun the deeper I look at it
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Im also questioning the mark/slot on the trunion area. Looks like it was cut through?? Id like to know why it was ground on the front. Id suspect a major repair happened at some point in its life, Someone tried to remove all markings except the serial number (like on bring back 1911s) OR a major idiot more worried about the little weld marks and ruining the gun but doing dumb shit. Id lean towards the 3rd option. What bothers me more, after looking at these pics on a larger screen, is the fact that there is NO MFG markings on the gun at all now. Who is to say it was actually made by GL and not by someone in their garage?? Too many unknowns on this gun the deeper I look at it

I have sn 186639 and I have pictures of 186616. Both of them are Lend Lease guns with their loop guards intact. This one is only 300 higher serial number. Every one I have seen in the 180000 to 200000 range have been ex Brit guns. I bet this one was "fixed" to get rid of that loop guard.

 

Dan

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The newest picture the seller added tells the story in my option-for some reason or another someone ground off all the markings minus the serial number while removing the loop welds and one can presume they went right over and dressed up the trunion area too. Id like to have the gun in my hands for a full on inspection before I bid (if I was bidding on it) before I dropped $10k or more
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Great feedback, gentlemen. I wonder why the weapons we are discussing do not appear when I view the GB Category | Class 3 Firearms & Destructive Devices | Machine Guns. I wonder what else I am missing?

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I guess for 35K you get the rarest version with the holes drilled in the sides? From the factory? With someone's initials engraved above the serial # (must be the guy at the factory that made it?)

I paid a lot less, but mine has no holes or initials, sadly mine now pales in comparison? LOL

I'm certain there will be some better stuff coming to market in the future, but probably won't include 30 round drums?

I don't always proofread my posts, but dang I do proofread my ads to limit my stupidity as much as possible, or ask others to take a look when I get over my skis.

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