Proof mark or import mark?

Just picked up a Gap lettered IHC from the local gunshop and I need your learned opinion on stamp at barrel just above the gas cylinder, left side. Markings are very lightly struck and are no match for my camera. As near as I can decipher the letters "GNP" are inscibed under what looks like a flat based U. This inscription is followed by another, "30/06", which is followed by what looks almost like a happy face with the numeral 2 where the mouth would be. There is another inscription under the above described markings but it is unintelligible. Receiver leg is inscribed with unparkerized armory marking BA4 10-66. Barrel is LMR marked, 1953. Am familiar with import marking of the '80's and '90's such as Blue Sky and this looks nothing like them. I know gun was in the US and in the possession of our military until 1966. Anyone out there wish to offer their opinion? It would be appreciated.

The Blue Sky import carbine I have is stamped as such on the underside of the barrel near the front sight, but not familar where the import mark is on the M1. Be good to know when you find out.

Okay, there happens to be a carbine for sale in Quartermaster stores forum with British proofs. Markings on my gun are very similar in appearance. Still, I wonder why gun was proofed in England. Any thoughts?

Must have exited Great Britain at sometime . . . hence the British proof.

Rifle probably "passed through" Britain on it's way to the states. --Jim

I observed a SA in a gunshop in northwestern Arkansas a couple years ago marked the same way. It was a post-war SA, but it had a 60's dated SA barrel and the same BA4 10-66 rebuild mark on the receiver and some Brit Proof marks on the barrel near the gas cylinder. Those rifles probably went through one of Sam Cummings warehouses in the 70's.

All firearms sold in the UK must be proof tested at a government proof house. Most of the M1 rifles with British proofs were Lend-Lease rifles sent to England and then sold out of military stores after the war, at which time they were proved. Since that rifle was in U.S. service in 1966, it clearly made its way to England after that.

Jim

I think Lance White hit the nail on the head, one of the many M1s (and other firearms) bought up world wide by SAM Cummings of Interarmco, and passed through his British commercial facility.

Thanks for the input guys. I didn't purchase this M1 thru CMP, like I usually do, and learned a valuable lesson. I have been collecting M1's for 15 years and this is the first I have ever heard of Sam Cummings and Interarmco but agree with your assessment entirely. Turned out the gun is just 1600 away from my other Gap lettered IHC.

how about BNP

rifle was in the UK

i have a ihc with the same brit proof marks,and yes they were imported in the 70's by interarmco(or interarms),my ihc has all correct parts even down to the overton marked stock and upperhand guard,sad thing is that it was re-parked a dull gray,but i got it cheap enough and it go's well with my ihc tractor collection

There was also a group of rifles sold by Navy Arms that had the commercial Brit proofs, I have one of these.