WWII Springfield M1 Garand US .30-06 British Semi Auto Rifle Bayonet C&R
SOLD FOR: $2530
LSB#: 231011JX013
Make: Springfield Armory. The rifle’s action and stock are made up of all Springfield parts.
Model: M1 Garand. This rifle has British Export markings on the barrel.
Serial Number: 526706
Year of Manufacture: March 1942. Barrel Date: March 1942
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed
Markings: The British export marks on the top of the barrel are commercial marks. They include “.30 2.494 inch / 18 TONS per square inch” and a “crown / BNP” proof (page 217 of Joe Poyer’s book, M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 526706”
Trigger Group: “D28290-5-SA”
Hammer: “C46008-2 SA”
Safety: “C46015-6SA
Follower: “8”
Receiver Leg: “D 28291-17” – Correct for the rifle’s serial number.
Op Rod: “D35382 3 SA”
Barrel: “S-A-3-42”
Bolt: “D28287-12SA / RE5B”
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.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with a (faded) boxed “S.A. / G.H.S.” stamp and a faded “crossed cannons” cartouche. The face of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof.
The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, metal nose caps, stacking loop, two sling loops, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage in the butt. The buttplate shows moderate wear. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. 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 overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are light gray. The rifling is deep. There is fouling in the bore that should clean up some. There is oxidation at the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 1. The throat shows a T.E. of 1.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8.5 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish as refinished. The front of the barrel and gas tube have been refinished in gun paint. The gas tube has lost most of the paint finish and shows discoloration from oxidation. The bottom of the op rod shows an area of light surface erosion. The receiver shows discoloration from dried oil residue. Most of the discoloration is under the wood. The metal shows scuffs and handling marks. The action shows operational wear. The markings are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition as refinished.
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 an M1 bayonet and an M3 scabbard. The bayonet mounts the rifle properly.
The rifle has a canvas sling attached. A metal oiler tube and a combo tool are stored in the butt.
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 the war 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 made back in 1942. It has since been rebuilt and refinished. The rifle’s action and stock are made up of all Springfield parts. At some point this M1 Garand made its way to England and was eventually exported from England back into the United States. During WWII the U.S. sent thousands of M1 Garands to England under the Lend Lease program. We do not know if this is a Lend Lease rifle. The Export mark on the barrel is a commercial mark applied to rifles exported from England. This included surplus M1 Garands that were purchased throughout Europe and then exported from England. Either way, this M1 Garand was put to use overseas during WWII.
…Now go shoot something!
