Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand H&R .30-06 Greek CMP Semi Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1776
LSB#: 220526RW001
Make: Harrington & Richardson (H&R) Arms Company
Model: M1 Garand. This rifle is a Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Collector Grade “Greek return” that uses all H&R parts.
Serial Number: 5623959
Year of Manufacture: 1954-56. Barrel Date: 4-55
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. / 5623959”
Trigger Group: “6528290-HRA N”- An H&R part (page 90).
Hammer: “HRA 5546008”– An H&R part (page 97).
Safety: “HRA” –An H&R part (page 104).
Follower: unmarked – An H&R part used by others (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “B” and “6528291” – Correct for a 1954 H&R M1 Garand (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 4-55 RS50”, “M”, “P”, 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 “DRC”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12” in increments of two and “HR A” (an H&R rear sight mark; page 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. Some marks have damaged small areas of the surface wood. The wood has been oiled. The LOP measures 13 1/4 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 lands are bright, the grooves are semi bright and the rifling is deep. There is some fouling in the grooves and near the muzzle which should clean up a bit. There is no erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 1. The throat shows a T.E. of 2.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The metal is coated in cosmoline as it was in long term storage. We cleaned off some to view the markings and finish. The metal shows scuffs, a few scrapes and light handling marks. The receiver and bolt show light operational wear. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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 Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate is marked with the rifle’s serial number and “M1 Garand Collector GK”. It comes in its original long term storage bag and in a shipping box from the CMP.The rifle also comes with an owner’s manual, chamber flag and clip.
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 and still uses all H&R parts. Even the gas cylinder lock screw and rear sight are marked “HRA”. It comes with a Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Certificate of Authenticity marked “M1 Garand Collector GK”. This rifle is a Collector Grade “Greek return”. Following WWII the United States supported the Greek Government in the Greek Civil War against Communist forces. This support continued after the Communists were defeated and Greece joined NATO in 1952. This H&R M1 Garand is quite the collectible rifle. It has been in long term storage and is still covered in heavy cosmoline. It is in great shape with a strong bright bore. It will add nicely to your Military collection.