Springfield Research Service?

[46indian]

I am trying to obtain information on two Garands. One is a possible NM and the other is a possible Lend Lease. I have no paperwork for either of these.

After searching this, and other, forums, I contacted the CMP and they have no records as their data is post 1996. However, they do agree with my assumptions that these could be legitimate.

I would like an opinion on whether it would be worthwhile to join / contact the SRS in order to have these Garands researched.

The first, the possible NM Garand, is a 1963 build on a 1943 receiver. The components appear to be consistent. Pictures are at:
NM?

The second is a possible LL. The receiver is Nov ' 41. All of the components are close to this time period and it has 1959 BNP proof. Pictures for this Garand are at:
LL?

Thanks in advance for your response.

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.

[Johnny Peppers]

Just my opinion, but I don't believe the first rifle is a Springfield Armory NM. The glass bedding is nothing like that used by Springfield.

The second rifle stands a good chance of being a L-L, but the stock isn't correct.

As a suggestion, use a darker background for your pictures. Most pictures too dark to see any detail.

[RCS]

I heard that less than 2% of all the serial numbers (from M1 Rifles) receive any "hit" by SRS. I do belong to SRS and had an M1 serial number "hit" back in 1998

[Bob Seijas]

I agree with Johnny, the NM is NOT an SA, it's probably a team gun.

---------- Post added at 01:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 PM ----------

Re LL: not crazy about that one, either.

[Joe W]

I too agree with Johnny and Bob. Not a SA built N.M. rifle. The bedding, and use of wood screws to fix the front handguard to lower band are both typical of military team built match rifles. As far as the other rifle, as you said "possibly L.L.", but I don't think you will ever know for sure. As I was told, the known to be L.L. M1 rifles, imported by Sam Cummings, were all British proofed in the chamber area, behind the op-rod and only these rifles are surely L.L.. I would save my money as far as SRS is concerned.

[RCS]

Didn't anyone what to know what my M1 "hit" on SRS was about ?

[EdG]

46indian,
I believe 384619 is a Lend Lease. The stock and trigger housing, maybe the entire trigger group, are replacements and the front sight seal is missing so it is not completely original unfortunately.
This serial number fits in the LL range and the condition of the metal seems to indicate little use which is typical of many LL rifles.

I do not think the location of the British proof marks has anything to do with Sam Cummings or LL identification. The location of the proofs so far back on the barrel and the neatly spaced and aligned application of them are rather uncommon.
Is the letter code in the left angle of the scepters an F, L or a K or something else?

Is there an 8 on the underside of the follower ? If so, is it on the end or in the middle?
Is the heat lot on the receiver's right front leg B 6 ?
Is the barrel date 10-41 or 11-41? I can't quite make it out .

[46indian]

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your relies!

EdG - I have added some pictures to the LL album but following are the answers to your questions.

46indian,
I believe 384619 is a Lend Lease. The stock and trigger housing, maybe the entire trigger group, are replacements and the front sight seal is missing so it is not completely original unfortunately.
This serial number fits in the LL range and the condition of the metal seems to indicate little use which is typical of many LL rifles.

I do not think the location of the British proof marks has anything to do with Sam Cummings or LL identification. The location of the proofs so far back on the barrel and the neatly spaced and aligned application of them are rather uncommon.
Is the letter code in the left angle of the scepters an F, L or a K or something else? << The symbol is K X B (with a 7 below the scepter)

Is there an 8 on the underside of the follower ? If so, is it on the end or in the middle? << There is an 8 in the middle (see pic)

Is the heat lot on the receiver's right front leg B 6 ? << The heat lot is B 6 (see pic)
Is the barrel date 10-41 or 11-41? I can't quite make it out . << The barrel info is S-A-10-41 (hopefully the new pic is better)

---------- Post added at 04:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:17 PM ----------

I am!

Didn't anyone what to know what my M1 "hit" on SRS was about ?

[Joe W]

Some very knowledgable collectors believe that the only rifles that have the British proofs in the chamber (date) area are the ones that Sam Cummings of Interarmco (ArmsCorp) brought back on the first deal. After that first shipment, later rifles were marked on the barrel between the rings of the gas cylinder. Those are the rifles that you can't tell if they are LL or not. The rifles in that first group are surely LL.
I am not saying the OPs rifle is not a LL just that it is hard to prove.
Below is an advertisement from a 1959 issue of GUNS magazine.
Note that there is no mention of them being LL only that they were "Proof Tested & Proof Marked in Great Britain". They may have been LL rifles but back in 1959 that was NOT a plus. Most, at that time, looked at the British Proof marks as we look at Import marks today. Most would have preferred a rifle free of British Proofs. Also most that purchased a LL rifle would have removed the "unsightly" red paint.

[Joe W]

Didn't anyone what to know what my M1 "hit" on SRS was about ?

Ok, now I am curious. I also had 1 hit, well kind of. Someone had a NM for sale on G.B. but had no documentation. I found the rifle listed in one of the SRS books as having been sold as a NM at Camp Perry. I didn't buy the rifle but did give the information to the seller. OK, I told you my story, how about yours ?