Brand new garand, all original and matching but no "P"?

[Murfywat]

Hey all, today I came into possession of quite possibly one of the best Garand's i've had contact with. Basically, after getting it taken apart and inspected by two different -experts- on garands, it has the correct marks and signs to indicate it is all matching to the time period of the receiver, and it all points to being made in very early 1945 by Springfield.

The gas port isn't chromed, all of the internal pins are shiny indicating no non-original parkerization/bluing, and matching barrel dates etc etc, plus the cartouches on the stock are all very clear and all there, the SA NFR box stamp, the crossed cannons stamp (sorry, not sure what that called or what it is) as well as the small version of that on the bottom of the pistol grip. So basically, everything is there, minus one thing. The "P" proof mark is not on the pistol grip. Anyone have any idea as to what this could be/mean? Is it not unheard of for a stamp to not be placed on a stock?

[bob seijas]

Are you sure the cartouche is not a re-pop? A close-up photo of it would help the pro's here give an opinion.

[Murfywat]

Were pretty positive its not fake cartouches, the a in the sa has the flat top, as well as the f in nfr has the longer top part of the f if that makes sense, ill try n upload photos asap

[Murfywat]

Here are some pictures of the cartouches, they aren't the best quality because my camera was acting up but hopefully they are fine.

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/04/20100427124020-1.jpg
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/04/2010042720124100-1.jpg

This one is the small cannons on the bottom of the pistol grip
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/04/2010042720124203-1.jpg

Not sure if this matters, but this is the pistol grip where the P cartouche usually is
http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2010/04/2010042720124210-1.jpg

[Larry G.]

The partial outline of the circle is there in the picture.

[Devil Dog]

The partial outline of the circle is there in the picture.
I see what Larry is talking about, but how can the "NFR" and ordainance stamp look so strong and the "P" be worn away?
The NFR looks good to me, but don't trust me since I bought one of Richard Pike's fake NFR stocks.

[Joe W]

Hard to tell from the picture but does the cartouche appear to be stamped over the scratches or are the scratches over the cartouche ??

[TRICKSTER]

Hard to tell from the picture but does the cartouche appear to be stamped over the scratches or are the scratches over the cartouche ??

When I magnify the photo, it looks like the cartouche is stamped over the scratches.

[Redleg]

I noticed the same thing. Still looks like a totally authentic stamping over the scratches.
Rick B says that it is a real cartouche.

I have heard the rumor that the original SA stamps are in the hands of a collector in Ca.
Possibly he was killed for the stamps, and the mad killer is out there, fiendishly stamping away.
I am sure the Garand Police are aware of such facts, but are actively chasing the killer or killers for the stamps, as we speak.

It has been mentioned that the fake cartouche stamps out there are somewhat close, but with modification, grinding and using jb weld to correct the incorrect areas, a wonderful stamp can be created. The crossed cannons are another story.
It is also possible that a CNC bridgeport, with proper cutter and program, could do a cartouche, or a reverse for an actual cartouche and a mold taken from it using JB weld.

[Rick Cummelin]

The most likely answer is that someone at SA simply forgot to stamp the proof P on that stock after proof firing. Things like that happened.

Most cartouche fakers would NOT forget the P.

The original cartouche stamps are NOT anywhere near California. Try the other coast. :)