RRAD M1 Questions

[deserttrans]

Thanks for all the responses. I was hoping to narrow down when RRAD might have begun stamping the legs or if sometimes the legs were not marked. The wood up front on mine is old and looks like the rear stock was replaced. No marks other than the boxed P and large RRAD stamped on the left side.

[Joe W]

Bill, any idea when and if they might not have been stamping the receiver leg and just the stock? Thanks

I would say that prior to 1965, maybe 1964, rebuild codes were not being etched on the receiver legs.
According to an article "In the System" By Bruce N. Canfield, found in the Dec. 2003 American Rifleman, it is stated, "As the Viet Nam war heated up in the mid 60s, additional M1s in the government's inventory were needed as supplemental service rifles and for military aid requirements. Several U.S. Government ordnance facilities were given contracts for the overhaul of more M1s during that period. M1 overhaul work was done primarily by Tooele Army Depot and Letterkenny Army Depot. Red River Army Depot and Springfield Armory also overhauled some M1s as well. Unlike the earlier rebuild markings, which were stamped on the stock, these facilites typically utilized identity codes that were hand etched on the right side of the receiver leg by electric pen. In most cases the code was accompanied by month and year the rebuild was performed. Some of the facilities stamped a "P" proofmark on the pistol grip of the stock after the rifles were proof fired as part of the final overhaul inspection procedure. Unlike factory proof stamps which consisted of a circled "P", the overhaul proof stamps were either a block letter "P" enclosed in square or by itself."

Alot more good information regarding rebuilds/overhauls can be found in this article.


One other thing that must be considered is that the rifle may not be the rifle that was overhauled at RRAD when the stock was installed.
Also per Canfield " Rifles overhauled at overseas ordnance installations were not required to have the initials of the facility stamped on the stock or engraved in the metal, thus not all rebuilt arms will have stamps."

[Bob Seijas]

I'm guessing the electro-pencil began around 1964. The instruction to mark the leg is in the 1965 SA rebuild specs.

[Devil Dog]

It seems every RRAD etched receiver that I have inspected was etched before parkerizing. Whereas all LEAD and SA etching was done after parkerizing.

[Phil McGrath]

I have a LEAD 12/65 rebuild, the stock is clearly a Overton replacement and the wood is burch. The park is a silvery gray and the EP mark was done after refinnishing.

The rifle is a 5.91 and the barrel date is a SA 8/55 T/E=1-M/E=.5 are very low, the only non-correct part is the SA-77 series op-rod, what could be so wrong with a rifle that would need too go to a rebuild depot? I figure a unit armorer could more that handle a op-rod replacement?

I have no codes just the 12/65 and the LEAD?

[deserttrans]

Thanks for all the replys and info. I've learned a lot by starting this topic. I've done more inspection and found all marked parts are SA. Since only a stock marking of RRAD and no leg mark. One might assume 1964 give or take. The sling on the rifle is dated MRT April 1964. Was it normal to leave the armory with a sling a attached to the rifle?

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[Phil McGrath]

your sling is on upsidedown I thought I would let you know.

[Devil Dog]

"Thanks for all the replys and info. I've learned a lot by starting this topic. I've done more inspection and found all marked parts are SA. Since only a stock marking of RRAD and no leg mark"

There is another possibility: Only your stock went through the rebuild process at RRAD. Many times stocks were switched in the field and op rods certainly could be changed at a unit level.

[Joe W]

I have a LEAD 12/65 rebuild, the stock is clearly a Overton replacement and the wood is burch. The park is a silvery gray and the EP mark was done after refinnishing.

The rifle is a 5.91 and the barrel date is a SA 8/55 T/E=1-M/E=.5 are very low, the only non-correct part is the SA-77 series op-rod, what could be so wrong with a rifle that would need too go to a rebuild depot? I figure a unit armorer could more that handle a op-rod replacement?

I have no codes just the 12/65 and the LEAD?

Phil, in 1965 M1 Garands were no longer in the hands of regular U.S. troops as it had been already replaced by the M14. The rifles that were rebuilt in the 60s were rifles were from government inventory. Some needed very little work, others quite a bit. Read my earlier post in this thread regarding Canfields article on rebuilds.

[Bill Ricca]

The rifles that were rebuilt in the 60s were rifles were from government inventory.

Not necessarily. Remember the entire country of National Guard and various Reserve units all still had M1's.