Springfield Armory M1 Garand “Tanker” Style Build 18” .308 WIN Rifle 1943

SOLD FOR: $1,550.00

WOA#: WY240806TF007

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 1612075

Year of Manufacture: Receiver May 1943, Barrel is modern.

Caliber: .308 Winchester

Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed

Markings:

Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 1612075”

Trigger Group: “D28290-24-SA”

Hammer: “TRW 5546008”

Safety: “SA-11”

Follower: “8”.

Receiver bottom: “S  17”

Receiver Leg: “D 29  /  D 28291 27  SS”

Op Rod: Unmarked

Barrel: “308 GENESEO IL”

Bolt: “D28287-2SA S-REI”

Barrel Length: 18.25”

Stock: The left flank of the stock is marked “SA / EMcF” for Springfield Armory Col. Earl McFarland which means this stock was made between June of 1942 and July of 1943. There is also an Ordnance wheel. The front of the grip is marked with a circle “P”.

The bayonet is marked “U.S. M5A1 MILPAR COL”

The Sheath is marked “USM8 BMCO”

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 “BME”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-11”, “M” and “WCE”.

Stock Configuration & Condition:  The hardwood stock has a traditional grip, metal nose caps, a stacking loop, two sling loops and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage in the butt. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The wood on this stock has been lightly sanded and refinished. The wood shows  scattered lines and compressions, the front of the grip has also been repaired and filled. The rear upper handguard shows only minimal wear. The forward handguard has been cut down to allow for the shorter barrel. The forward handguard is dirty but shows no notable damage. The metal buttplate has been refinished, has basically lost all its checkering and shows scuffs and wear around the edges. Overall the furniture on this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished and Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp there is no visible erosion in the bore. The feed ramps are clean. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: this rifle retains about 97% of its finish. The gas tube, cylinder lock and screw show the majority of the finish loss. The friction surfaces of the bolt, and receiver show the majority of wear. There are minor surface level lines scattered throughout the finish. There is some surface rust developing on the edges of the front and rear sight.  The screw heads are sharp and the markings clear. Overall this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics:  The action functions but is somewhat hard to manipulate. It should be stated that the action is also completely dry. I feel with proper lubrication the action will function 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: This rifle includes a green canvas sling and a USM5 bayonet with a USM8 sheath.

Our Assessment: This rifle is modeled after an experimental M1 Garand developed towards the end of WWII. The T26 later known as the “Tanker” Garand is a shortened version of the classic M1 Garand rifle, designed to offer a more compact and maneuverable option for troops. Originally designated the T26 by the U.S. Army during WWII, this version was developed in response to the need for a powerful yet portable rifle suitable for particularly jungle environments like the Pacific theater. Although it retains the semi-automatic functionality and the powerful .30-06 Springfield cartridge of the standard M1 Garand, the T26 features a shortened 18-inch barrel (compared to the standard 24-inch), significantly reducing the rifle’s overall length and weight, which made it easier to handle in confined spaces.

Despite being ordered by the Pacific War Board, the T26 Tanker Garand never saw mass production or widespread use during WWII, as the war concluded before the rifle could finish development. Reports from testing revealed mixed results; the shorter barrel created increased recoil and muzzle blast and the accuracy was not up to the standard they hoped for. This unique configuration, while not without drawbacks, has nonetheless captured the interest of firearms collectors and enthusiasts.

In the years since, a number of reproductions and civilian versions have been produced aiming to replicate the T26’s compact design and WWII origins. This rifle is an example of that exact goal although this model is in the toned down .308 Winchester instead of the original 30-06. To Quote Bruce Canfield “A good rule to follow regarding the “Tanker” Garand is, “If it’s not in the Springfield Armory Museum It’s not a real T26 Garand””. This is good advice, however I would argue that if it looks like a T26 and functions like a T26 would have had they gone into production owning a T26 “clone” that you can shoot instead of just look at in a Museum is a much more fun option. To better understand this T26 Garand clone please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.