Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand H&R .30-06 CMP Semi Automatic Rifle 1954

SOLD FOR: $2525

LSB#: 220218RH007

Make: Harrington & Richardson (H&R) Arms Company

Model: M1 Garand. The rifle uses all H&R parts.

Serial Number: 5584578

Year of Manufacture: 1954 (page 30 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition). Barrel Date: 3-55

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed

Markings: There is no import mark. The gas cylinder lock screw is marked “HRA” which is a Harrington & Richardson part (page 115 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / H. & R. ARMS CO. / 5584578”
Trigger Group: “6528290—HRA N”- An H&R part (page 90).
Hammer: “5546008-HRA N”– An H&R part (page 97).
Safety: “HRA” – An H&R part (page 104).
Follower: unmarked – An H&R part (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “Z” and “6528291” – Correct for a 1954 H&R M1 (page 30).
Op Rod: “6535382 HRA” – An H&R part (page 71).
Bolt: “6528287 HRA / .U.”- An H&R part (pages 51 & 52).
Barrel: “HRA 6535448 3-55 RS46”, “M”, “P” (twice), “X”, and with a Defense “Eagle” acceptance stamp – An H&R part (page 63-65).
The stock and sights 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 set between two protective wings. The windage knob is marked “LEFT arrow” twice and “HRA-W”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12” in increments of two and “HR A”. These are H&R rear sight markings (page 39-40).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The face of the grip is marked with “circled P” proof. The left side of the stock above the trigger is with a Defense “Eagle” acceptance stamp which is correct for an M1 stock made after Sept./Oct. 1953 (page 129-130).
The oil stained 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 buttstock. The stock shows several scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Several have damaged small portions of surface wood. Most of 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 Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The grooves near the muzzle are semi bright. The rifling is deep. The bore shows an M.E. of 1. The throat shows a T.E. of 2.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, scuffs, and handling marks. The gas tube assembly also shows small scratches. The metal shows areas of light discoloration. The receiver and bolt show light operational wear. 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 CMP Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate is marked with the rifle’s serial number and “M1 Garand Collector”.

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. International Harvester was contracted to produce M1 Garands in 1951. On April 3, 1952, H&R was given a contract for the production of M1 Garand rifles.
H&R had produced a number of types of firearms for the civilian market, but H&R’s prior experience in military firearm production for the government was primarily limited to the Reising .45 ACP submachine gun that it made during World War II. H&R was able to capitalize on its arms making experience during production and supplied International Harvester with assistance in producing M1 Garands. Unlike the mix of parts found on some IHC M1 Garands, there was typically much more consistency in the H&R rifles including the format of the receiver markings. Unlike IHC, H&R made its own barrels for most of the company’s production run. When International Harvester opted out of its contact, a number of the Line Material Corp. (LMR) barrels on hand were diverted to H&R and used to assemble some late-production rifles. LMR barrels are considered high quality barrels.
This Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand was made in 1954. It uses all H&R parts. Even the gas cylinder lock screw and rear sights are marked “HRA”.  It comes with a Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Certificate of Authenticity. This is quite the collectible rifle. It looks good and the bore is strong & bright. It will add to your Military Collection.

Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand H&R .30-06 CMP Semi Automatic Rifle 1954
Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand H&R .30-06 CMP Semi Automatic Rifle 1954