M1 Garand Front Sight Screw Seals

[gcr-g]

I have a M1 that I have owned for years that has a metal cover pressed over the front sight retaining screw. The cover was punctured sometime in the past (not by me,) with an Allen wrench but is plainly visible. I have never seen another M1 with such a cover. I know M1’s left Springfield Armory with such “tamper proof” covers in place over the front sight screw but I have never seen another one. Every part in this rifle is listed in S. Duff’s Data Sheet book for production during July-August 1942. My question is how often are M1’s encountered with the seal still in place?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[dinki dow]

Very rarely. They started using them about June-40 until Feb-43(gas trap era)

I have a M1 that I have owned for years that has a metal cover pressed over the front sight retaining screw. The cover was punctured sometime in the past (not by me,) with an Allen wrench but is plainly visible. I have never seen another M1 with such a cover. I know M1’s left Springfield Armory with such “tamper proof” covers in place over the front sight screw but I have never seen another one. Every part in this rifle is listed in S. Duff’s Data Sheet book for production during July-August 1942. My question is how often are M1’s encountered with the seal still in place?

[Bill Hollinger]

Very rarely. They started using them about June-40 until Feb-43(gas trap era)

Traps were made that late? I always though they were before 1940ish???

[RCS]

Gas trap production lasted until July 1940 with some rifles in the 50,000 serial number range. Billy Pyle's excellent book "The Gas Trap Garand" has a complete data sheet on s/n 50313, being an original gas trap rifle. Also the first spline type barrels were produced in June 1940 and dated S-A 6-40, so that both types were being produced for a short time

[gcr-g]

So that's what they look like without a hole punched thru them. Thanks for the info and the pics..

[paul1440]

If you want a replacement there is a guy on Gunbroker selling them for $25.

[browningautorifle]

Are the ones on Gunbroker repos or originals? My seal is completely missing.

[paul1440]

They come in a package dated 1941.

Here is the link: http://v4.beta.gunbroker.com/Auction...Item=140624417

I got one but I haven't installed it yet. Not sure if I ever will. I like to check the tightness of that screw periodically.

[browningautorifle]

Same problem as many other things, he's only shipping in the U.S. and I need it to Canada. Anyone got some lying around that they can ship to me??? Or should this be in the WTB?

[paul1440]

Same problem as many other things, he's only shipping in the U.S. and I need it to Canada. Anyone got some lying around that they can ship to me??? Or should this be in the WTB?

Or I could buy one, he can ship it to me, you pay me for it, and then I ship it to you. Let me know if you'd like to do that.

Paul