Springfield Armory M1 “Tanker Garand” Style Build 18” .308 Semi Auto Rifle
SOLD FOR: $2,025.00
LSB#: LSB260206LB004
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: M1 Garand “TANKER Garand” Style Build
Serial Number: 2816788
Year of Manufacture: Receiver May 1944, Barrel date October 2022
Caliber: 308 Winchester 1-10
Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed
Markings: This rifle has been bedded to the stock. As I did not want to damage the bedding some of the markings will be omitted here.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 2816788”
Trigger Group: “D28290-18-SA”
Hammer: “C46008-2 SA”
Safety: Unmarked
Follower: “11”
Barrel: “CBI .308 1-10 10/22 6C” Criterion Barrel from 10/2022, Owner asserts the barrel was installed by Fulton Armory.
Bolt: “D28287-19SA A-9″
Stock: Unmarked
Barrel Length: 18.25”
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 “DRC”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a traditional semi pistol grip, metal nose caps, a stacking loop, two sling loops and a metal butt plate with hinged door for storage in the butt. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The handguard wood was cut down for this build. The wood has been sanded and re-finished. The stock shows handling marks, scattered surface level lines, compressions, rub marks and nicks. There is a notable marr to the right side rear of the stock. There are some chips missing from the toe and some flaking developing on the left side of the nose. The right side leading edge of the nose has a chip. There are no cracks. The butt plate has worn checkering, rub wear around the edges and has been refinished, yet it retains a strong door spring. Overall the stock set is in Good+ condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to most of the parts. The receiver appears to have been refinished at some point.
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible pitting or erosion. Our gauges show a muzzle 0+. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The op rod shows missing finish and the receiver and bolt show rub wear and finish loss on the friction surfaces. The action is a little rough, in this writer’s opinion this should be remediated with proper lubrication. The markings are mostly clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good-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: This rifle includes a green canvas sling.
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 this example has been re-barreled by Fulton Armory with a new Criterion 308 Winchester shortened 18.25-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. This example has also been bedded and a metal block added to the action to help feed the shorter 308 cartridge.
Despite being ordered by the Pacific Warboard, the T26 Tanker Garand never saw mass production or widespread use during WWII, as the war concluded before any substantial deployment. 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 “Tanker’s” compact design and WWII origins. This rifle is an example of that exact goal. 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 Tanker and functions like a Tanker would have, had they gone into production, owning a Tanker “clone” that you can shoot instead of just look at in a Museum is a much more fun option!!! To better understand this “Tanker” Garand clone please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.