My 1st M1 - 5.4 million "Greek" (with pics)

Hi everyone- just joined the forum today and have spent hours going through all the past postings. Great to find y'all!

Well, I had planned to buy an M1 Carbine in May, since one of my two grandfathers carried one in Hawaii in WWII. (more on that later)

HOWEVER, a Greek M1 Garand came in on consignment at my local gun shop last week, and the bug that I *planned* on biting me at a later date bit sooner, and I wound up getting the Garand before getting a Carbine.

It's a 5.4 million range Springfield Armory and the bore looks like it's never been fired. I'm assuming that it's one of those "Greek returns" you hear about that originally came from the CMP. I can't tell if this is the "black" finish referred to, or just another color of parkerizing. (please see photos and let me know)

Seems to be a post-war rifle from about 1954. (The Scott Duff post WWII book I ordered isn't here yet, so feel free to chime in.)

No cartouches found anywhere on the stock yet- however, "PAPADO" in Greek letters hand carved underneath the stock sure seems Greek to me!

I haven't broken it down into sub-components to clean and inspect fully yet, so I'll have to post the rest of the numbers that I find when that happens. However, here are pics and the numbers that I do have:

Reciver: Springfield Armory 5449XXX
Barrel: SA F6535448 dated 11-54 MD 43 (also stamped with a T, K, P and the DOD mark)
Bolt: 6528287 HRA with a U underneath that (can't find that 'U' heat code listed?)
Gas cylinder lock: WWII type without hump
Gas cylinder screw: poppet type marked NHC
Stamped trigger guard
Trigger housing: 652 8 290-SA
Hammer: SA D5546008

Haven't removed the op rod yet. So far the only non-Springfield part I can find seems to be the bolt, which I'm assuming is a Harrington & Richardson part.

Here are some photos (note: nothing has been cleaned/oiled yet) I'm thinking the stock is going to turn out pretty good:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Thanks, everybody!

-Mike (DTC)

Probably wont be your last! Nice rifle

Nice rifle. Definitley a Greek Return based on the letternig on the forward end of the stock. Stock should clean up really nice.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention your sling is on backwards!

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Originally Posted by garandfan1974

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention your sling is on backwards!

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Good to know! (grin) Keep the advice coming!

Popped the stock off - the op rod is also an Harrington & Richardson part and is numbered 6535382 HRA

I'm just glad he stopped carving- his name was probably Papadopoulos! (grin)

I posted this in another thread- but I'll put it here, since this is where my rifle pics are already posted:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Is this what is considered the Greek "black" parkerizing? It doesn't appear especially black to me, and it doesn't appear especially green, either.

Thanks in advance,
-Mike

Mike, thats GI park, either zinc or manganese. It's hard to tell as the flash alters the color. Try some pics outdoors in natural light.

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Originally Posted by Stumedic

Mike, thats GI park, either zinc or manganese. It's hard to tell as the flash alters the color. Try some pics outdoors in natural light.

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Thanks- it's been raining here for two days, so my outside photos are going to have to wait for a sunny day.

Looking forward to having some time to clean 'er up and take some more photos.