International Harvester Corp. IHC M1 M-1 Garand “Gap Letter” .30-06, C&R

SOLD FOR: $1911

LSB#: 210925MZ29

Make: International Harvester Corporation (IHC). Built on a Springfield Armory made “Gap Letter” receiver.

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 4640210

Year of Manufacture: 1953. Barre Date: June, 1953.
Springfield Armory provided receivers to International Harvester beginning in 1952 to help increase M1 Garand production at IHC (page 500 of Bruce Canfield’s book, The M1 Garand Rifle).

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 / 4640210” – The serial number is in the correct range for a “Springfield “Gap Letter” receiver (page 501 of Bruce Canfield’s book, The M1 Garand Rifle).

Trigger Group: “IHC D6528290” – An International Harvester part (page 90 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).

Hammer: “C-5546008 IHC”– An International Harvester part (page 98 Poyer).

Safety:”IHC” – An International Harvester part (page 103 Poyer).

Follower: Unmarked – Used by International Harvester and others (page 83 Poyer).

Receiver Leg: “A 55 A”, and “IHC F 6528291” – Correct for a Springfireld/IHC “Gap Letter” M1 Garand (page 501 Canfield).

Op Rod: “D6535382 IHC” – An International Harvester part (page 72 Poyer).

Bolt: “6528287 IHC / C14” – An International Harvester part (page 52 Poyer).

Barrel: “P”, “LMR” (Line Material Company of Birmingham, Alabama), “D6535448”, “6 53 A14”, “P”, “M” and with a “crossed cannons” stamping – LMR provided barrels for International Harvester (pages 63 – 65 Poyer). LMR barrels of this date were used for “Gap Letter” Garands (page 500 Canfield).
Gas Cylinder Screw: “IHC NHC” – An International Harvester part (page 115 Poyer).

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. The windage knob is marked “LEFT arrow” twice, “IHC”, and DRC”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12” in increments of 2 and “IHC”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: 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. There is tape on the handguard. The refinished buttplate has small scratches & surface erosion showing through the new finish. It also shows light scrapes. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some have damaged small portions of the surface wood. Most of these marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright; semi bright at the muzzle. The rifling is sharp. There is some fouling around the gas port hole which should clean up. There is some light intermittent erosion at the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 1. The throat shows a T.E. of 3.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish as refinished. The underside of the receiver and the adjacent parts of the receive legs each have surface erosion & pitting showing through the new finish. The sides of the receiver, above the wood, also have surface erosion showing through the new finish. The metal shows scuffs, small scrapes & light handling marks. The markings are clear & deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition as refinished.

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: This International Harvester Corporation (IHC) M1 Garand is built on a Rare “Gap Letter” receiver made by Springfield Armory. Springfield Armory provided receivers to International Harvester beginning in 1952 to help increase M1 Garand production at IHC. This rifle falls within the proper serial number range for an SA/IHC “Gap Letter” Garand. It is also marked correctly on the receiver leg with a Springfield Drawing Number and uses a correctly dated Line Material Company (LMR) barrel. This International Harvester M1 Garand looks good and has a strong bright bore. This M1 Garand is worth adding to your collection.
For more detailed information see pages 500 to 501 of Bruce Canfield’s book, The M1 Garand Rifle.