Springfield M-1 M1 Garand British Proofed .30-06 Semi Automatic Rifle 1944

SOLD FOR: $2925

LSB#: 210925MZ25

Make: Springfield Armory. This rifle uses all Springfield parts.

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 312320

Year of Manufacture: September, 1944 (page 185 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition). Barrel Date: August, 1941

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed

Markings: The British export marks on the right rear of the barrel are commercial marks. They include “.300 2 ½ 18 TONS” and a British “arm & sword / NP” proof (page 217 of Joe Poyer’s book, M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition).
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 312320”
Trigger Group: “D28290-5-SA”- A Springfield part (page 90).
Trigger Guard: “C-46025-1-SA” -A Springfield part (page 92).
Hammer: “C46008-2 SA”– A Springfield part (page 98).
Safety: “C46015-6SA” – A Springfield part (page 104).
Follower: Unmarked – Used by Springfield and others (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “R E  3B”, “2”, and “D 28291-12 SA” – Correct for the Springfield serial number (page 30).
Op Rod: “D35382 3 SA” – A Springfield part (page 71).
Barrel: “S-A 8-41” and “P” – A Springfield part (page 63 – 64).
Bolt: “D28287-2SA / REP2” – A Springfield 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 “2-12” in increments of 2 and “UP arrow DOWN arrow / BATTLE triangle RANGE”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with a Springfield Armory inspector’s cartouche “S.A. / G.H.S. in a box” and with a “crossed cannons” cartouche. These markings have been restamped. The face of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof. The hardwood stock has a pistol grip, metal nose caps, a stacking loop, two sling loops, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate shows scrapes & discoloration. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Several have damaged or removed small portions of the surface wood. These  marks have been oiled. 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 muzzle and grooves are gray. The rifling is deep. There is erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 1. The throat shows a T.E. of 1.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its current metal finish as refinished. The metal shows scuffs, light scrapes, and discoloration from oil residue & oxidation. The barrel shows scrapes & light thinning. The bottom rear of the receiver has oxidation bleeding though the new finish. This area also shows thinning. The gas tube shows scrapes, thinning and discoloration from oxidation. The right side of the receiver and front of the bolt show some thinning consistent with cycling. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as refinished.

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: None

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 WWII 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 made back in 1944. It has been rebuilt and refinished but still uses all Springfield parts. At some point this M1 Garand made its way to England and was eventually exported from England back into the United States. During WWII the U.S. sent thousands of M1 Garands to England under the Lend Lease program. We do not know if this is a Lend Lease rifle. The Export mark on the barrel is a commercial mark applied to rifles exported from England. This included other surplus M1 Garands that were purchased throughout Europe and then exported from England. Either way, this M1 Garand was put to use overseas during WWII. This British Garand will add to a WWII collection.