When did Springfield begin using up H$R parts?

[Steven A.]

I have a CMP M1 Rifle that appears unissued, or nearly so. The SN is 5842643, with a bbl. date of 3-55. The rifle is all Springfield, save for op rod and trigger housing, which are both H&R. I am being told by an "expert" that the op rod and trigger housing have to be replacements, because Springfield would've never put H&R parts in their new rifles. I would appreciate knowledgeable opinions regarding this issue.
Thank you,
Steven A.

Information

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[Bob Seijas]

The last GCA Journal had an article by Jeff Carstens on his observations of sorting rifles at the CMP during the 2009 GCA convention. Here's a line that probably applies to your rifle: "Many, many, near mint rifles with nothing wrong but the trigger group or stock switched."

Since these guns were not touched since receipt from the Greek Air Force, there must have been some swapping over there.

[Rick Cummelin]

The last GCA Journal had an article by Jeff Carstens on his observations of sorting rifles at the CMP during the 2009 GCA convention. Here's a line that probably applies to your rifle: "Many, many, near mint rifles with nothing wrong but the trigger group or stock switched."

Since these guns were not touched since receipt from the Greek Air Force, there must have been some swapping over there.

As another attendee @ the 2009 convention, not only did I see what Jeff saw, I agree there was likely some swapping done in Greece, but for a slightly different reason.

In looking at all those near-new rifles, it was readily apparent that the Greeks field stripped the rifles before dipping the metal parts into their long-term storage grease. I seriously doubt that they were careful to reassemble rifles with their original stocks and trigger groups. Why would they bother? They probably just grabbed whatever was available when they reassembled them. At least that's one possible explanation as to why there were so many beautiful rifles with the wrong stocks and/or trigger groups.

As to op rods, I observed some rifles with mismatched op rods, bolts, and some small parts, but these were in the minority, and commonly looked to be a bit more used/worn than the nicer rifles.

[adh2]

While at the 2009 GCA convention my group and I observed MANY late SA rifles that had a HRA elevation knob. The screws looked undisturbed. Our group's humble opinion is that they were assembled that way at SA. Just an "educated" guess on our part.

[kilroy]

Springfield didn't use HRA parts in their rifles. Your rifle could possibly be 'new.' My Uncle owns an H & R that gaged at 1 muzzle and 2 throat. The chamber is in the white and the barrel (LMR), sights and gas tube are HRA as is the op rod. The LMR barrel is correct for the serial number range and doesn't have the IH punch mark. Everything else is a mixture of Springfield WWII and post war parts. The only thing I can figure is that they stripped new rifles and threw the parts in bins. They later pulled parts out of the bins and slapped them in rifles further down the line. His was re-arsenalled at RRA, or at least that was what the stock has marked on it. This is an old DCM rifle NOT a CMP.

[Joe W]

While at the 2009 GCA convention my group and I observed MANY late SA rifles that had a HRA elevation knob. The screws looked undisturbed. Our group's humble opinion is that they were assembled that way at SA. Just an "educated" guess on our part.

As per Scott Duff, It is believed that the contract for 400 rifles given to HRA on Aug. 6, 1956 was a "clean up" order to allow HRA to use up receivers and other components.
It sounds logical that after these 400 rifles were produced, if HRA had some small parts, such as elevation knobs, remaining they may have been given to SA as opposed to just scrapping them. Just another guess, without any documentation, a guess is about the best you can do.

[DaveN]

Steve, I asked a ? like yours titled "swapping m1 parts" and got loads of answers that might shed light on your subject. its on the 2nd page of this forum. hope this helps.

[Charlie59]

I'm sure that happened when soldiers cleaned their weapons, or weapons were returned to an armorer when something broke.

[AKA Hugh Uno]

your rifle did not leave the SA factory with HRA parts.

[ballbags]

your rifle did not leave the SA factory with HRA parts.

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