British Proof-marks on a March '42 Winchester

[Ms15710]

Hey all,

Recently my father and I picked up an M1 Garand made by Winchester sometime in March 1942. It looks to be all correct with the exception of the gas cylinder (which is missing the stacking swivel) but the gas cylinder looks to be as aged as the rest of the rifle, possibly indicating it has been with it for some time.

On the right side of the barrel underneath the rear handguard, there are British-proof marks F.B. with crossed swords, indicating that the rifle was inspected at Birmingham as early as 1955. I know that generally, the presence of British proof marks does not automatically mean that it is a Lend Lease (certain time period and serial number) but this rifle was manufactured around the time of the last batch of rifles sent to Britain in early 1942. Furthermore, the proof markings are underneath the rear handguard, not towards the muzzle by the gas cylinder.

My question is, did the United States supply Britain with rifles from both Springfield Armory and Winchester, or did the supply come entirely from Springfield?

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