Springfield M1 Garand U.S. US .30-06 Semi Automatic Rifle 1953 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1001
LSB#: 220419JR063
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: M1 Garand
Serial Number: 4354018
Year of Manufacture: 1952 to 1954 (page 185 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition). Barrel Date: September, 1953
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed
Markings: There is no import mark.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 4354018”.
Trigger Group: “6528290-HRA N”- A Harrington & Richardson part (page 90 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Hammer: “HRA 5546008”– A Harrington & Richardson part (page 98).
Safety: “HRA” – A Harrington & Richardson part (page 103).
Follower: “11” – Used by Springfield and Winchester (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “A39B” and “D 6528291 43” – Correct for the Springfield serial number (page 756 of Bruce Canfield’s book, The M1 Garand Rifle).
Op Rod: “6535382 SA” – An Springfield part (page 71).
Barrel: “SA D6535448”, “9 53”, “MD36”, with a Defense “Eagle” acceptance stamp, and other inspection stamps – A Springfield part (pages 63 – 65).
Bolt:“D28287-1SA / RE2”- A Springfield part (page 53).
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 “WH / SA”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The face of the grip is marked “P”. The left side of the stock is marked with an Arsenal Rebuild stamping from the Anniston Arsenal “AN”.
The wood 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 heavy wear. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Several of the marks have damaged or removed 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 Good to Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild
Bore Condition: The muzzle & grooves are gray. The rifling is deep; less pronounced at the muzzle. There is erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 3.9. The throat shows a T.E. of 3.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and discoloration from oxidation. The gas tube assembly has lost its finish to aggressive cleaning. The bottom of the receiver shows pin prick surface erosion. The receiver legs show thinning. The rear sights elevation knob shows surface erosion. The receiver and bolt show operational wear. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good to Very Good 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: None
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 originally made between 1952 and 1954. At some point it was Arsenal Rebuilt at the Anniston Arsenal and is marked accordingly on the stock. The rifle uses a mix of USGI and Springfield parts. The rifle has seen some use but can still do plenty of work and will add to your WWII collection. Good luck.