New Garand Day!! 12-1941 - Lend lease?

[davfink]

Hey guys, my new garand just arrived. Serial is 426956. it has a 12-1941 barrel with Brit Proof markings.

It looks original, except the rear sight pinion may be a later type 2. i cannot take off the lockbar to check it. it seems too tight and would need a wrench to turn it all the way off.

Information

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[RCS]

Nice looking metal on your rifle, the most expensive items were removed such as the short pinion/flush nut and cartouched stock. Some collectors perfer to have the British proof marks located at the rear of the barrel (example in photo). Are you going to look for a short pinion/flush nut and SA GHS stock ?Attachment 16833

[davfink]

I think it is still a long channel GHS stock, the CC is there, but the box really isnt visible. it looks to have been sanded all over

I have been thinking about finding a legit rear sight. At least it has the checkered knob, i just need the pinion and nut. any suggestions?

[EdG]

The stock looks like the correct one but the GHS is not visible. I see what looks to be the ordnance wheel but not sure. The stock does appear to have been sanded somewhat.
The throat looks to be the long one and there is a code in the channel and the front ferrule has the dimple.
It does need the flush nut lock with the short pinion rear sight.

Could you tell me what the receiver heat lot is? It looks like B5 or B6?

[davfink]

the heat lot is B6.

The stock is a long channel with slanted clip latch cut and i think it is a "4" in the channel.

[browningautorifle]

You still have your front sight seal, lots of them were removed. Looks good. To bad they stamped it on the front of the barrel, mine's under the op rod handle.

[davfink]

thank you. does anyone know if the lend leases show up in the SRS index?

When i was waiting for it, i was told the brit marks were on the left side. i hoped that meant behind the op rod, so on the left side if facing the rifle. but not so much. With the gauging of the barrel, i am still quite more than pleased with it. Now i have to decide what other one to let go. Then again, i dont really NEED to let one go.

[Joe W]

thank you. does anyone know if the lend leases show up in the SRS index? .

I have Vol. 1 (1983) and Vol. 2 1986 of the SRS "Serial Numbers of Martial Arms", just based on where the information relating to M1 ser. numbers came from, I would say no, at least not in my books. Vol. 1 indicates the main sources of information on M1 rifles were the post WW2 records of SA and records of the DCM, which show mostly NM rifles. In Vol. 2 the main source of data is from pre WW2 records of the USMC. My Vol. 1 only lists six rifles in the 400,000 range and they are all records from the 1950s.

I would guess the reason some have indicated they would rather the British Proof markings be at the rear of the barrel, behind Op-Rod is because those rifles are the only ones you can be sure are, in fact, lend lease. Those marked in the front between rings of gas cylinder may or may not be lend lease. While yours certainly is within the correct range, you just can't tell for sure.

As far as the lock bar sights, they were a upgrade from the short-pinion/flush nut. My guess is that the original sights w/ flush nut on your rifle were not removed by a collector looking to make a few dollars, but were changed back in the 1940's.

Are you aware that you can tell the year your rifle was proofed for export at Birmingham by examining the "date code" in the left angle of the "crossed swords". They started with the letter A for 1950 and progressed (omitting the letter I ), to the letter Z for 1974.

In any case, you have a beautiful rifle and I would think long and hard before spending the money that is being asked for short pinion/flush nut sights and ligit SA/GHS stock. And before I bought a stock I would want the opinion of an expert. Just to many fakes floating around.

As someone else said, it is what it is, and anyone would be happy to own it.
By the way, the rifle in my AVATAR is 422881. From what I can see of your parts, they are the same, except the heat lot on my -2 bolt is RE4A

[Garandrew]

I would rather have the BNP's not obscuring SA's markings on the side of the barrel..under the op rod, it is what it is, from the UK.
Mine is marked on the very top too, 2/42 with short pinion type 1 lockbar, sanded, but for the "P". Its nice to find nice 41-43 M1's.

[DaveN]

Was this a private sale? If not where could I look to purchase a M1 of this caliber( I couldn't resist) I presently deal only with CMP. Considering opening my options.