International Harvester M1 Garand US U.S. .30-06 Semi Automatic Rifle 1954
SOLD FOR: $2325
LSB#: 220526RW005
Make: International Harvester. The rifle’s action uses all International Harvester parts.
Model: M1 Garand
Serial Number: 5196943
Year of Manufacture: 1954. Barre Date: March, 1955
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 / 5196943”
Trigger Group: “IHC D6528290” – An International Harvester part. (page 90 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Hammer: “5546008 IHC”– An International Harvester part (page 98).
Safety: “F” – An International Harvester part (page 104).
Follower: unmarked – An International Harvester part used by others (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “D6528291-J” – Correct for a 1954 dated International Harvester M1 Garand (page 30).
Op Rod: “6535382 IHC” – An International Harvester part (page 72).
Bolt: “6528287 IHC / A8” – An International Harvester part (page 52).
Barrel: “P” twice, “LMR” (Line Material Company of Birmingham, Alabama), “D6535448”, “3 55”, “A 40”, “M” and with a partial “crossed cannons” stamp – LMR provided barrels for International Harvester (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, “DRC” and “IHC”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12” in increments of 2 and “IHC”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The face of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof.
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 stock shows numerous scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Many have damaged areas of the surface wood. 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 light gray and the rifling is deep. There is fouling and intermittent erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 1. The throat shows a T.E. of 1.3.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The bottom rear of the receiver has surface erosion showing through the new finish. The metal shows scrapes and small scratches. The most prominent are on the gas tube assembly. The receiver shows discoloration from oil residue and oxidation. 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: None
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 1954. The rifle is in Very Good Plus condition. The action uses all International Harvester parts making the rifle quite collectible. This International Harvester M1 Garand will add to your Military or M1 Garand collection. Good luck.