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Checked those details Gulliver mentioned. Op-rod clears the the lower by fractions, but does clear. I'll keep a weather eye on that in case it should shift. Gas cylinder has light carbon build up, but the piston edges are quite sharp and appear relatively unworn.
Hello Darkwolfe...good looking rifle! Turner Saddlery makes nice slings for M1's, I have one and I am happy with it. You say in your post that your are fairly certain of your rifles history...where it was etc. Could you say how you were able to determine this? I always thought that information was all but impossible to find out. I have a WW2 vintage Garand and would like to learn a bit more about it. Any info sure would be a help.
First off the 1.8 mill serial number puts it in August of 1943 for it's "born on" date. Given the land forces deployed at the time, that gives it a very high probability of having landed in Europe for the remainder of the war. Secondly, it did get a rearsenal job at the SA as the barrel on it was an SA barrel from 1953. Third is that nasty stamp on the side of the barrel that says "Blue Sky, Arlington, VA". So far as I've been able to determine, Korea was where Blue Sky got all of their re-imported M1's. So by that mark, it went to Korea after the '53 barrel was put on. Fourth and final is the wear on the '53 barrel. The rifling at the muzzle shows the wear common from Korean use. They didn't protect them well when cleaning and literally rubbed the rifling down putting excess side pressure on the steel cleaning rods. From what I understand, that's the primary reason everyone cringes when they see Blue Sky on the barrel. That and the occassional "crushed" barrel when Blue Sky over pressured their stamp.
I realy wish the birch stock hadn't been sanded smooth. I might have been able to gather more data on the rifle to prove or disprove what I've dug up so far. I had better luck with my 1904 Swedish M94 Naval Carbine (Shouldn't have sold that one! :banghead: )
Has any of this been hammered in stone yet? Nope. I may find out eventually that my nosing around has turned up some bad info. It happens of course, but it's still fun to explore the history and see what you find.
Thanks Darkwolf....with the exception of the Blue Sky markings, it sounds like you could be describing my M1, right down to the wear at the muzzle. My receiver has a similar 'birthdate' and judging by the barrel etc, it also was a post war rebuild. Thanks for the info.
The wear on mine was nuts. TE was a 4.5, ME... ate the gauge completely! Thus I snooped a gun show thoroughly and found a good deal on a very nice HRA barrel for it.
I see your from Kansas City. Did you get your H&R bbl. from Yoda. I know he sets up at the KC shows. I got a nice one a year so ago. Bill
Not sure Bill. Small booth with a glass case. Fellow had a 1950s barrelled receiver for $400 at the time too, but my budget wouldn't allow that at the time. Pity too, would have been fun to do a parts build.
I am also a fan of the Turner Saddle Co. sling. I believe they offer rack and "match" grade. The match being a little longer. Correct me if I am wrong someone! ;)
I also got a Sportsmansguide or other "discount" sling. I rate that as good/ fair, against the Turner. My big "dig" against the SG, was the color... However, the Turner was a lot more $$, but I feel that you get what you pay for. The leather from Turner was a better quality and the stitching was better also! Hope this helps!