1945 Springfield M1

I recently acquired this CMP Springfield that has a serial number indicating it was produced in March, 1945:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...f4d13399-1.jpg

The date stamping on the barrel, 1 S A 2 45, would indicate it was made in Feburary, 1945, and is probably original to the receiver:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._zpsedc5-1.jpg

Bolt

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...sf0650bb-1.jpg

Other marked parts found upon field stripping the rifle are also SA stamped:

Operating Rod

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...kings_zp-1.jpg

Trigger Group

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...kings_zp-1.jpg

The receiver leg has an electro-pencil mark LEAD over 1.65 indicating that the rifle underwent a rebuild at Letterkenny Army Depot in 1965:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...rkings_z-1.jpg

The stock has the circled P proof stamp behind the trigger guard and a very faint partial cartouche with SA over an O on the left side of the buttstock:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...sf7e141b-1.jpg

I found a discussion on another forum that suggested M-1s with the electro-penciled Army Depot rebuild dates may have come directly to CMP from the former DCM inventory of overhauled rifles.

I would deeply appreciate any questions, corrections or additions to the information I have regarding the history of this firearm based on the data I have gathered so far.

Well, I'm sure that not everyone will agree, but some have suggested that we are not using the word "cartouche" correctly. They would have us use "cartouche" to describe the original factory acceptance marking, in your case a boxed SA/NFR; similarly, the Defense Acceptance Seal would be a cartouche. But, markings applied by a US arsenal would be considered "arsenal rebuild stamps". Many rifles were rebuilt multiple times, so it would appear that yours was rebuilt at both Letterkennny & Springfield Armories.

The Director of Civilian Marksmanship never had any inventory; it was a DOD office in Washington, DC that processed paperwork, as was common in many agencies. Once they completed the paperwork to sell a firearm, copies of the sales receipt (5 part carbon paper) were sent to an arsenal, & the gun was shipped directly to the buyer from inventory.

Neal

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Neal Myers

we are not using the word "cartouche" correctly

---

Yes Neal, we argue about words regularly here, but the fact is we all mean the same thing.