New M1 Question

Hi guys. I picked up a new M1 out of the blue today at of all things an open house. I have several of them already ... but who can resist.

I believe that this one was refurbished in Europe. The only thing I can't put my finger on is the stock wood ... it has as odd grain like a Swedish fur or something. The remaining wood looks like your standard dark American wood I've seen on other M1's. There is a stamp my the rear sling holder 3789711 that is very hard to read, I'm not familiar with this.

Any input on the wood? All other questions tips are welcome.

Thanks guys.

My guess is that it's beech wood.

Yes, that's the figure of beech. If you sand it fine enough it will shine like glass and you'll never get it to take stain again.

Dam clean rifle though I think I see a titch of what may either be old cosmoline or oxidization on the ejector plunger that is if I got the terminology right for that part of the rifle. I like the look of the rifle the way it has character.

Definitely beech. Does the serial number of the rifle match the number on the stock?

Beech stock with what looks like walnut hand guards. As to where its been its anybody's guess but the stock's origins would either be Danish or Greek.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Yes, that's the figure of beech. If you sand it fine enough it will shine like glass and you'll never get it to take stain again.

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Ok, beech is good to know. I had that in mind as a second or third but I'm not too familiar with it. I'm not a good with wood as I am with mechanics. Can you elaborate a little more on shine like glass and what that process is (or a link maybe)?

Thanks friend.

---------- Post added at 08:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 PM ----------

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Originally Posted by AFJon

Definitely beech. Does the serial number of the rifle match the number on the stock?

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Yes the receiver matches the stock. My other M1's have serial numbers that are 14505, 2195328, and 2914238. This one start with 3789711 ... all Springfield ... so this one must be a Danish rebuild. The barrel looks really good. I've actually picked up far worse looking M1's for more coin than this. I love these guns. I need to learn a little more about the rear sights however as I'm not so good at repairing those or specifying them out for that matter as I am the actual action of the firearm.

If you sand the lower stock group too much, you can end up with a glass like smooth which will be white in color and extremely hard to get stain into.

Where is the serial number stamped on the stock and is it the whole serial number or the last four digits?

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Originally Posted by twh

Where is the serial number stamped on the stock and is it the whole serial number or the last four digits?

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Its the whole serial number that matches the receiver. It's very legible.