International Harvester M1 Garand CMP .30-06 Semi Automatic Rifle 1954 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1633
LSB#: 220218RW002
Make: International Harvester
Model: M1 Garand
Serial Number: 5156271
Year of Manufacture: 1954. Barre Date: October, 1954
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, Fed by En Bloc Clips
Markings: There is no import mark.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / INTERNATIONAL / HARVESTER / 5156271”
Trigger Group: “D28290-12-SA” – A Springfield part (page 90 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Hammer: “C46008-8 SA”– A Springfield part (page 98).
Safety: Unmarked with a round top – The marking appears to have been lost to refinishing (page 104).
Follower: 12 – A Springfield part (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “D6528291-Y” – Correct for a 1954 dated International Harvester M1 Garand (page 30).
Op Rod: “D35382-9-SA” – A Springfield part (page 72).
Bolt: “D28287-19SA / B-16-B” – A Springfield part (page 52).
Barrel: “SA F6535448 10 54 A216B” and with a Defense “Eagle” acceptance stamp – A Springfield part (pages 63 – 65).
The stock and sight are described below.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture sight. The windage knob is marked “LEFT arrow” twice and “BME”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12” in increments of 2 and “W in a hexagon”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The left side of the buttstock is marked “R.I.A.” next to the grip. This Rock Island Arsenal mark appears to have been added. It is normally “boxed” and includes the inspector’s initials. The face of the grip is marked with 2 “circled P” proofs. One is overstamped with a “star”.
The three piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, metal nosecaps, stacking loop, two sling loops, and a metal buttplate with hinged metal door for storage in the butt. The buttplate shows surface erosion and wear. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Many have damaged areas of the surface wood. The right side of the butt has been sanded smooth below the barrel shank. 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 as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild
Bore Condition: The muzzle & grooves are semi bright and the rifling is deep. There is fouling at the muzzle and in the grooves. There is no erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.8. The throat shows a T.E. of 2.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The bottom rear of the receiver has surface erosion bleeding through the new finish causing discoloration. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and thinning on the leading edges of the metal. The most prominent are on the trigger guard. The receiver shows oil residue. The receiver and bolt show light operational wear. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and a green canvas sling.
Please see photos as to the condition of the listed items.
Our Assessment: The M1 Garand had garnered a well-deserved reputation as the best standardized service rifle of WWII. At the end of WWII large numbers of Garands were in inventory and it was assumed they were sufficient to meet future military needs. That all changed when the Korean War broke out. Springfield Armory ramped up its Garand production line as quickly as possible, but additional sources were needed. On June 15, 1951, the Ordnance Dept. granted a contract to the International Harvester Co (IHC). International Harvester manufactured half-tracks, trucks and tractors during World War II. The firm had never made firearms. One of the major reasons behind the government’s selection of International Harvester was its location. Springfield Armory and Winchester were about 60 miles apart which was no longer desirable in a nuclear age. IHC is over 800 miles from Springfield and could continue production if there were a nuclear strike on the eastern seaboard.
In order to augment Springfield Armory’s and International Harvester’s M1 rifle production, a contract was also granted to the Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. on April 3, 1952.
International Harvester had a number of production issues which led them to subcontract the production of barrels to the Line Material Corp (LMR). It was soon widely acknowledged that the company’s barrels were of the highest quality. The high quality of the LMR barrels and their availability were among the few things to go smoothly with International Harvester’s M1 rifle production program.
IHC received production assistance from both Springfield Armory and H&R during the contract.
The International Harvester M1 Garand has since become one of the more popular M1’s due to the number of receiver variations and their relative scarcity as compared to Springfield Armory Garands of the same era.
This International Harvester M1 Garand was made back in 1953. At some point it was rebuilt using Springfield Armory parts. The rifle is in Very Good Plus condition with a strong bore. This International Harvester M1 Garand will add to your Military or M1 Garand collection. Good luck.