Early WWII Springfield M1 Garand .30-06 Rifle British BNP Proofed 1942 C&R

SOLD FOR: $2,025.00

LSB#: LSB251216DH096

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 452116

Year of Manufacture: Receiver January 1942, Barrel date 1-1942 

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, 8 round en bloc clip fed

Markings: There is no import mark.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD/ ARMORY / 452116”

Trigger Group: “D28290-5-SA” 
Hammer: “C46008-2 SA”
Safety: “C46015-6SA”
Trigger Guard: “C-46025-3-SA” 

Follower: “8”
Receiver Leg: “R E P 1 8 A D 28291-14 SA PP” 
Op Rod: “D35382 3 SA” 
Barrel: “P BNP .30-06-2.494″ 18 TONSPER (Square)” S-A-1-42 P” and also the Date code for the British proof but the letters for the date are basically illegible I would guess it says “F” and “B” and a “2”. If this guess is correct FB is 1955.  

Top of the Cylinder: “2”  
Bolt: “D28287-2SA RE5A” 

Stock: Circle “P” acceptance stamp on the grip, the left flank is marked “SA GHS” with a large ordnance wheel, the inside of the forend is marked “56”.  

Barrel Length: Approximately 24”

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 with “Left” twice and two arrows. The elevation side is marked “UP BATTLE RANGE DOWN” with arrows.  

Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose caps, stacking loop, double sling loops, and a metal butt plate with hinged door for storage. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The stock is marked GHS for General G.H. Stewart who was at Springfield Armory from Sept. 1938-June 1942. Placing this stock in the correct time period for the barrel and receiver. The wood shows compressions, lines, scratches, and red paint marks. Many of the edges of the wood have small chips missing from them. The rear upper handguard is cracked at the rear band. There are also several chips missing from the handguards that have been partially sanded over. The bands are the early style with the grooved rear. The butt plate has rub wear around the edges, shows finish loss, and has semi-dulled checkering. The door spring is strong. Overall the stock set is in Fair+-Good condition.  

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original   

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is well defined, there is barely visible  erosion/pitting in the bore mainly in the edges of the grooves. Our gauges show a muzzle of 0 and a throat erosion of 0. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.    

Overall Condition: the rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish on the receiver and trigger group have turned green from age. The friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver show some rub wear. The cylinder and gas plug show finish loss. The exterior of the barrel is very clean. The markings are clear with the noted exception. The screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good+ condition but would have rated higher if not for the cracked handguard and stock 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: The rifle includes a leather sling.    

Our Assessment: This M1 Garand was manufactured by Springfield Armory in January 1942 and retains a correct January 1942 dated Springfield barrel. The rifle is fitted with a walnut stock marked “GHS,” the inspection cartouche of General G.H. Stewart, who served as the commanding officer and chief inspector at Springfield Armory from September 1938 through June 1942. This places the stock squarely within the correct timeframe for both the receiver and barrel, making it a very appropriate early-war configuration.

The barrel also bears over-stamped markings from the Birmingham Proof House, indicating the rifle was proofed during British service. Many M1 Garands were supplied to Allied nations during World War II, and examples that went through British proof often saw use for home island defense or training roles. Interestingly, the barrel gauges exceptionally well with both muzzle and throat readings of 0, suggesting extremely limited wear, consistent with a rifle that likely saw minimal or almost no use during its time in service. To better understand this M1 please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.