Greek Return Garand Collectability ?

[Devil Dog]

A picture would answer a lot of questions.

[byronroland]

Should I post pictures of my Greek Garand here or start a new post? Like I have said, I am new, not well experienced and do not know any of the guys.

Just want to be a member and learn. And, this has been a great learning aid to date and is now a permanent part of my activity.

[Devil Dog]

Either way is okay. If you start a new thread, be sure to state that you are asking for opinions on the finish.

[byronroland]

As we are talking about a common item, Greek finish on M1's, here are pictures of mine.

When I started to field strip there was common chassis grease all through the gun, appeared to have been troweled in.

As I detail stripped everything down, I noted common things I have read elsewhere about the Greek finishing, they did not do a tear down of small parts, assume they just field stripped and that was it. Rear sight internals show very poor to no finish and signs of rust/lots of grease.

I had originally thought the barrel was not finished and now I believe it was. The bolt and operating rod are zinc phosphate or a very gray manganese in my opinion. Bolt appears fully new, operating rod same and gas piston measures .5257" and may run out -.0005". I do not have a ring gage, used mics. Gas cylinder appears new and shows no identifying marks or numbers?

The lugs on bottom of trigger guard lock show little wear, maybe a .020 to .030 flat. Hammer and rear of bolt show little markings/wear.

From the pictures you can see the part numbers and "S-A" markings showing Springfield production.

My issue is the finish, what is it? Once I know what it is, then I can make a decision about refinishing (unless someone tells me these are as they should stay-and has a convincing argument(s)). Not that I am going to refinish immediately in any event, I need to check the rifle out and see if it shoots first.

Need a stock, at least I think as much. Will clean this one up, but it has a lot of scars and the one very large repair. Do not believe it has any history as I can find no makers marks, only a P showing it was proofed. Butt plate is perfect example of worn out! Front hand guard already has a replacement as you can see in the pictures.

Have a scope (original M84)and looking for a mount. Bought a SARCO and sent it back, did not even come close to fitting (they are sending another). If anyone out there knows how to make it fit, let me know. The one I had threaded into the block and locked up with the knob tight to the mount and the mount loose to the barrel block. I saw no way to adjust anything. If it had tightened down to the block and needed a little adjusting of the pressure points to "lock" in well, I could handle that.

I consider the finish incorrect for a service rifle, too bright and shiny! It glints in the sun light. As cheap and easy as Parkerizing is, why not use the process?

I consider myself only a caretaker here, I will do my best to do no harm and have it in better condition to pass on.

Let me know what others are doing and especially if any one knows what this finish actually is?

Thanks!

[Devil Dog]

I like you rifle.
I think yours has the typical Greek Re-Parkerizing. I have one similar in color and I stocked it in a light (un-stained) birch stock and handguards. I call her "blondie". I think dark metal guns look great in light colored wood.