Curios and Relics - Not an addition to the collection, but a way to add to the collection. Just slightly more than a month ago, I applied to BATFE for collector status. My Federal Firearms License arrived yesterday. I am now a 03 - Collector of Curios and Relics.
For information on becoming a licensed collector, visit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. From their main page, find Forms (on the top of the page), follow the link for Firearms Forms, and choose form 7CR. It's a fairly simple process and it costs $30.00 (as of May 2012).
I understand that many suppliers offer discounts to licensed collectors. I'll keep you posted on how that works out.

M1 Garand - "The greatest battle implement ever devised." - General George S. Patton, Jr.
Here is my new, CMP Garand. It arrived by FedEx yesterday (6/5/12) morning. I had mailed in the paperwork less than a month ago. I was really surprised at the quick processing and delivery.
I was even more surprised when I opened the box. This beauty appears to have a new walnut stock. The stock bears the CMP cartouche. The rifle is parkerized and shows little wear on the metal parts. The serial number on the Springfield Armory receiver indicates that it was manufactured in the 1955-1957 time frame. The barrel, also Springfield, is stamped with a 55. The bolt is HRA.
The rifle came in an OD green, hard plastic case. Along with the rifle, I got one en bloc clip, a Shoot-N-C target, and a manual. The hang tag indicates that it is in pretty good shape.

Nice way to remember the events of 68 years ago.