The Found M1

[read6737]

After posting Which M1 is most sort after ?

I finally got my hands on it.
No history other than it came from Paris.
Trying to find out more history but I wont hold my breath.
It has been dated to 1942
It was not really in the condition that I had been lead
to think it was in.
It was not greased up.
In fact it was rather dry and dusty.
It all worked and from the pics below you can see that it
was barn / attic stored dry. It came with a BYF K98 all matching
except the base plate, in the same condition.

I do have a few more pics of the M1.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

November 42 sounds about right I think...I'll bet the two rifles were battlefield pickups at the same time and hidden away for a rainy day. The old fellow who did it died and they now resurface. We're seeing a bit of that in all areas of collecting. A bit tough looking, but nothing like a tough case to bring out real talent!

[Phrogpilot]

What a great find, congrats!!!

[jmoore]

Looks like a WWII "lost rifle" so far!

Although Garands don't have but one S/N, almost every part can be roughly dated or be known to be originally used on rifles of a specific vintage. I used to keep a three page data log on each of my collector rifles that detailed all the components.

If you want a project, pull it apart and photo each part, showing any markings (not all have marks), and have a picture essay.

It may not be pretty, but it truly may be rare in that it DID make it to the front, and is still exactly as configured during the time it was carried.

[read6737]

Just finished re sizing the pics,
Hope they are of interest and are clear enough.

Can any one tell me a little more ??

Although dusty in side there is very very little rust.
It is just the outside metal that has suffered.

[jmoore]

If none of the parts end up being later than roughly '44 vintage, I think it'll be a pretty educational piece.

Nothing "bad" so far!- The "winged" mainspring plunger is the only thing I see so far that makes me want to scurry to the reference books.

[browningautorifle]

All I would really do is strip and de-rustify the whole affair. A little wood work but being careful not to take off any of the history. If the pipe is OK then it's going to be just fine. It can spend the next 60 years in the rack beside the 98K.

[Bill Hollinger]

I would be inclined to leave it as it is other than a lite cleaning and maybe condition the wood. That is quite a find indeed. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[jmoore]

Oh, the mainspring plunger is "correct". I don't have any idea why i thought it was inappropriate. I'll blame it on too many hours at work...76 last week alone!


How about the front end? gas cylinder, plug, front sight, front sight retaining screw (or does it still have the cover over the screw?), barrel band, etc.

[read6737]

These pics are all I have for the moment.
It has gone it to hiding for a short time till I get it sorted properly.