M1 Garand NM annual codes on barrel

[gfguns]

I understand these codes were featured in an article Winter 2003 Volume 18 Number 1 of the GCA Journal. This is before my time as a member and I dont have that issue. Are these codes available elsewhere? Thanks

Information

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[gfguns]

I went to the GCA web site to look for GCA Journal back issue information but nothing there unless I missed it.

[Bob Seijas]

1959 = Greek Cross, looks like the block Red Cross symbol
1960 = 4-point star, looks like the stars in the Pittsburgh Steelers logo
1961 = Triangle
1962 = 5-point star, usually part of NM star PT in a row
1963 = 7791036 NM barrel without annual code in the chamber area

[Bob Seijas]

Here's one of mine that was rebuilt twice as new improvements came out. It didn't get redone in 1961 because that was only the NM op rod and not cause for upgrade if the existing rod was OK.

[gfguns]

Thanks Bob, that is a big help. I wonder why there is no code for 1963

[Bob Seijas]

Dunno, but I'm guessing that the special barrel was enough to delineate it as '63.

[Phil McGrath]

I have seen a hart shaped stamp on a few barrels, what if anything is there meaning? There is a picture of it in gfguns post rifle #3414047.

[Joe W]

I had asked Bob Seijas this on more than one occassion. Bob told me that the only thing he could think of was very old speculation that it it is either a RIA or Erie Army Depot mark put on rifles that were inspected after the National Matches but were not used and did not need any refurbishing. But Bob also said that theory has holes in it too, so it's still a mystery. I had last asked him about it when asking about the rifle posted by "gfguns" and Bobs answer was " nothing new".

[Bob Seijas]

It's a real frustration for me -- I can't find anything on it. I had some theories (like a code for 1963 on the few rifles that didn't get the 7791035 barrel, or a mark for guns that were inspected after Perry and didn't need anything done to them) but they were all exploded by recent observations. The bottom line is that I don't know and can't even come up with a good guess The same applies to the "Duck foot."

[Joe W]

If anyone doesn't know what the "ducks foot" is, it is a mark found on some late NM rifles, on pistol grip, just below the proof mark.