Thread: Uncle Homer's M-1

Hi Gang,

Been lurking on and off here for a while, thought I'd share a story with you.

First off, I never knew Uncle Homer. He really wasn't an uncle nor was his his brother Freddy that I got this rifle from. Homer was a SEABEE in WWII and served most of the war in the Pacific. When he got out after the war, this rifle went home with him. Homer was killed in a crop dusting accident in 1952, the year I was born.

Homer's brother Freddy was a B-17 driver in Europe. He got shot down in '43 and finished the war as guest of the Reich. I met Freddy at Oak Grove Airport in the 80's. Freddy was Pappy Spinks right hand man. I got my pilot's license there and Freddy and I had a lot of fun aggravating each other. I called him Uncle Freddy and as far as I know was the only person ever to get away that. When Freddy was released from the Stalag he was able to gather up quite a few confiscated weapons to bring home. They were typical German sporting rifles and the like. Over the years he gathered up some more really nice guns.

Freddy came down with liver cancer in 96. He knew his time was short and he called me to come see him. I went by the house and after a short visit he showed me his collection of guns. I grabbed the M-1 first and his old rear end flapped open like a two dollar suitcase. He had nothing nice to say about the "ugliest damn gun" ever made. Anyway, he wanted me to dispose of his guns after he was gone and give the money to his lovely wife Mary. I told him I'd be honored.

Freddy passed and Mary called me and told me she was ready to get the guns gone. I asked her if she was in a big hurry for money or if I could take my time and sell them for top dollar. She said it didn't matter to her. I loaded the mess and told her I'd be in touch. I hit several gun shows and placed a few of the nicer ones with collector types I knew. I called her one day and told her I'd be by in a bit.

I met her and after a short chat, I gave her and envelope with right at $10K in it. She nearly fainted. I told her I still had a couple of clunkers to dump but that was the meat of the sale. She was sitting at her kitchen table in tears. I asked her what was wrong and she said that Freddy had told her I'd be damn lucky to get $500 for all of them. Freddy was sadly mistaken. Probably the first time according to him if he was around to ask. Freddy was hoot and I miss him.

Mary then told me to look behind the kitchen door and there was something there that Freddy wanted me to have. It was Homer's M-1. She's 100% 1942. It is 10 years older than me as it was made in July of '42. I shoot it occasionally just to listen to it talk. Along with the rifle I got Homer's PAL RH-37 fighting knife.

Mary's gone now, but they live on in my memory.

Here's some pics for ya.

She's in full recoil. You can see a blurry casing in the air above my left hand.












Sling is marked H E Gordon USN RN2


Willie

thats a beautiful gun and a great story. id love ot track down a m1 grand someday and make it part of my collection. so far i have an ar 15 and a .303 british lee enfield. that are military. then there are just my hunting guns.

Originally Posted by Deerhunter1995

thats a beautiful gun and a great story. id love ot track down a m1 grand someday and make it part of my collection. so far i have an ar 15 and a .303 british lee enfield. that are military. then there are just my hunting guns.

Thank you sir.

The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) has good deals on M-1's quite frequently. They're rebuilt to spec and all are good shooters. Might check on of those out before you spend a bunch on banger that may or may not run like it should. google CMP or Civilian Marksmanship Program.

M-1's are awesome old rifles but they can be a royal PItA if not set up right or worn out.

That SMLE is a heck of a battle rifle. Hard to get one of those beasts to lay down on ya', and they'll shoot a "minute" of man all year long.

What a lovely story, well told. Thank you.

Great read,thanks.
Once heard an interesting story about the garand,do not know if it is true.
The hayday of the rifle was the Korean war,When the last shot is fired the clip ejects making a twang sound.
The enemy learned to coordanate a charge at that time.

Thanks for sharing the story and the pictures.

First off great story and I'm glad youve got something to remember him by.

Secound a big +1 to cmp I've heard nothing but good things about them.

M1 is a heck of a good rifle and the CMP is a wonderful place. Got my M1 from them. When it arrived, it was all factory new steel in a CMP stock. Never fired. My 1917 and 1903A3 came from them as well. My 03a3 is all original and in nearly new condition. The wood is even proof stamped to the action. The wood had seen better days but lucky I am also a wood worker so I used a few old tricks to get out most of the dents and refinished the 03a3 and M1

My M1 Garand,

Nice rifles gents!!

I LOVE the 03's. Back in the late '70's I bought a 1903. I had a 1919 barrel date and 4 groove barrel. It had a leather sling dated from the 20's. The barrel had some dark areas but it shot like dream. I bought a BUNCH of Greek surplus ammo and over the years I tried to wear it out. That old rifle went everywhere I went in my pick up's "easy rider rifle rifle rack" Before my eyes went South and my arms got too short to read a newspaper, I could hit about anything I wanted at a click with it 4 out of 5 shots. I even bought a proper bayonet for it and paid 4 times as much for the bayonet as I did the rifle. It is amazing what those rifles are capable of if you learn it.

In hindsight, I've bought and sold a couple of thousand rifles and pistols over the years, a large percentage of them were milsurps from all over the world. That 1903 is the one that I wish I'd kept for hard times.


Still kicking myself in the ass for selling it. I paid $35 for it and sold it for $550. A buddy of mine that bought it has it hanging on his wall and won't even think of selling it back. LOL

I've got several 192 rd cans of Lake Cities ammo with the bandoliers and the ammo "en bloc" ready to go for the zombies attack.

As for the "ping" when they empty out? It is definitely noticeable. I've read similar instances in WWII and Korea. I don't know how true it is but I can imagine that someone close would know that somebody was re-loading after they heard that noise. I also heard that savvy gents would carry an empty clip and make it ping to get the other guy to stick his head out.