WWII Springfield M1 Garand U.S. US .308 Conversion Semi Automatic Rifle

SOLD FOR: $1525

LSB#: 220420MB005

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 2208518

Year of Manufacture: ATF Modern
December, 1943 (page 185 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition). July, 1996

Caliber: .308 Winchester

Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed

Markings: There is no import mark.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 2208518”.
Trigger Group: “D28290-12-SA”- A Springfield part (page 90 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Hammer: “C46008-3 SA”–  A Springfield part (page 98).
Safety: “SA-11” –  A Springfield part (page 103).
Follower: “13”  – Used by Springfield and Winchester (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “K 10 diamond” and “D 28291 32” – Correct for Springfield serial number (page 29).
Op Rod: “6535382 BMB” – An Italian Breda part (page 71 & 221.
Barrel: “F-A .308 7-96” – A July, 1996 dated aftermarket Fulton Armory Barrel (pages 63 – 65).
Bolt:“6528287-HRA / .U.”- A Harrington & Richardson 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. The elevation knob is marked from “2-11” and “NI C”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: 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 spots of discoloration from oxidation. The wood shows several scrapes & scratches. Some have damaged or removed small portions of the finish or surface wood. The LOP measures 13 1/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Conversion

Bore Condition: The bore is bright; semi bright at the muzzle. The rifling is deep. There is no erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.3.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The bottom rear of the receiver has surface erosion & pitting showing through the new finish. The receiver and bottom metal have areas of light surface erosion showing through the finish. The receiver shows discoloration from oil residue. The metal shows scattered scuffs & small scrapes as well as thinning on the leading edges of the metal. The receiver and bolt show light operational wear. The markings range from deep to  well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.

Mechanics: A spacer block is installed to prevent .30-06 from being loaded into the rifle.
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 attached leather sling is marked ”M1907” and “MRT in a circle”.

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 during WWII. It has since been rebuilt and converted to fire .308 Winchester. A spacer block is installed to prevent .30-06 from being loaded into the rifle. The rifle was refinished when it was rebuilt so it looks pretty good for being almost 80 years old. This M1 Garand has lots of clear markings on the metal. It should make for a collectible M1 Garand that you can take out the range on a regular basis. Good Luck.