Springfield M1 M-1 Garand AFPG Match Rifle .30-06 Semi Automatic Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $2826.01

LSB#: 210925MZ36

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: M1 Garand. This is an Air Force Premium Grade Match Rifle.

Serial Number: 5969906

Year of Manufacture: 1955 to 1957. Barrel Date: March, 1963
Converted in January of 1967.

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed

Markings: There is no import mark. The bayonet lug is marked with a faded Defense “Eagle” acceptance stamp. The bottom of the gas tube is marked “NM”. It is a National Match part.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 5969906”
Trigger Group: “6528290-SA”- A Springfield part (page 90 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Hammer: “C46008-5 SA”–  A Springfield part (page 98).
Safety: “SA-11” –  A Springfield part  (page 104).
Follower: “12” –  A Springfield part (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “Z 1 3 B diamond” and  “F 6528291” – Correct for the Springfield serial number (page 756 of Bruce Canfield’s book, The M1 Garand Rifle).
Op Rod: “NM” on top and “7790722-RA” – A Springfield “National Match” part (page 71).
Barrel Front: “NM” and “AF  PG” on the left. The “NM” is a National Match marking. The small “AF  PG” marking was added to signify that this rifle is an Air Force Premium Grade Match Rifle.
Barrel rear: “SA 7791035 3 63 Y16”, “P”, “M” and with a Defense “Eagle” acceptance stamp – A Springfield part (page 63 – 64).
Bolt: “D28287-12SA / S-06 diamond” – A Springfield part (page 53).
The stock and sights are described below.

Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is marked “NM / 062”. The face of the rear sight riser is marked “NM”. These are National Match sights.
The front sight is a blade set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture sight set between two protective wings. The windage knob is marked “LEFT arrow” twice and “BME”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12” in increments of two and “NI C”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The face of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof. The bottom of the grip is stamped with the last 4 digits of the serial number. The top front edges of the forearm are marked “1  67” and with the last 4 digits of the serial number. The interior of the handguard is painted with the last 4 digits of the serial number and stamped “34”.
The front handguard is glass bedded to the lower band and also secured to the band by 2 screws. This was done by Air Force Armorers during the conversion.
The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, metal nose caps, a stacking loop, two sling loops, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage in the butt. We found cleaning tools in the butt. The refinished buttplate has scratches and an area of surface erosion showing through the new finish. It shows light scrapes and discoloration. The stock shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Several have damaged small areas of the surface wood. These marks have been oiled. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild

Bore Condition: The lands are bright, the grooves are semi bright, and the rifling is deep. There is fouling in the grooves which should clean up a bit. There is some light frosting in the grooves near the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.3. The throat shows a T.E. of 4.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The metal shows scuffs and handling marks. The gas tube assembly and bottom of the trigger group also show scrapes. The bottom rear of the barrel has been polished clean of its finish. It shows a spot of pin prick surface erosion. The top front of the bolt was polished clean of its finish during the conversion. The bottom rear of the receiver shows light thinning and discoloration. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a green canvas sling. It shows soiling, discoloration, and a small amount of fraying on the canvas. It shows scrapes & discoloration from oxidation on the metal. It is in about Good condition.
Cleaning gear is stored in the butt. The gear includes a combination tool, plastic oiler, grease pot, chamber brush, and a 4 piece cleaning rod & loop. The combination tool shows scuffs and light scrapes. The grease pot & chamber brush show soiling and use. The combo tool, grease pot, and chamber brush are in Very Good Condition.
The oiler tube has 2 empty chambers. It shows light scrapes. It is in Very Good Plus to Fine condition. The cleaning rods are in Fine condition. The cleaning rods come in a green nylon pouch that shows soiling and is torn at the button. It is in Fair condition.

Our Assessment: The U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 is known affectionately as “the Garand” after its inventor, John Garand. The rifle would become the first standard-issue semi-automatic infantry rifle in the world. While some countries entered the war with limited issued semi-automatic rifles or developed such rifles during the war, America was the only nation to enter with its Army issuing autoloading rifles on a large scale. General Patton famously referred to the rifle as “the greatest battle implement ever devised”. Millions were produced during WWII and hundreds of thousands afterward, seeing use through the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Interestingly, while many other weapons and military items would see production contracts sent out to otherwise non-related companies, during WWII production remained with Springfield Armory and Winchester. It was only after WWII that production would be contracted out to another gunmaker, Harrington & Richardson, as well as the agricultural equipment maker, International Harvester.
This Springfield Armory M1 Garand was originally made between 1955 and 1957. In January of 1967 it was converted to Air Force Premium Grade Match configuration at the USAF Competitive Weapons Shop in Texas. It uses all Springfield parts. This M1 Garand now has a National Match barrel, National match op rod, National Match gas cylinder and National Match sights installed. The bolt has been polished and the front handguard is bedded and screwed to the lower band. These modifications were made by Air Force Armorers. The rifle was refinished when it was converted so it looks great for its age. The rifle has a bright bore as well as nice markings on the metal. This Rare Air Force Premium Grade Match Rifle will add to your Garand collection and should do well out at the range.