This guy has Garands starting at $750 (after rebate).
I just did a quick scan of Arisakas (Japanese bolt-action rifles). I didn’t look at many, but those seem to be selling for $200 to $500. Not a lot, but better than turning it in to be destroyed.
That sounds like the typical price of a surrender rifle. I’d expect a pick-up rifle to be a bit more than that, especially if it’s in good condition and has all original parts.
I know very, very little about Arisakas. I did check and found one for $450 that had an X across the mum, and a non-matching bolt.
Here’s one with a perfect mum that was offered at $250 and didn’t sell. This one has an intact mum and didn’t meet the $499 reserve price. This one with the mum and matching numbers. sold for $450.
I hope this isn’t reawakening a zombie, but just wanted to leave an update.
First, thanks to everyone for their help in researching the guns I found in my dad’s house. I donated the Japanese WWII gun to a local historical society, which will display it with my dad’s name. The M1 gerand has a new home at a gun range, where it’ll be displayed as well as used to teach members how to care for older rifles.
Even the cases and cases of ammo found a home with the crew of a local volunteer ambulance company that shoots at competitions as a fundraiser.
All in all, a much better ending than ending up being destroyed by the police department!
My thanks again for everyone’s help.