SA 9/42 Gunshop Find

[gtxc01]

Well, I found a nearly correct SA 9/42 at the local gun shop. The only discrepancies with Duff's data sheets are a GHS stock, which probably predates the receiver 4-5 months, and a knurled elevation knob.

The last time I was in the shop, they had a mix master M1 with a shot out barrel that they wanted $1500 for, so when I saw the Garand they had in there, I assumed it was the same one. Being me though, I checked it out anyway. First thing I noticed? SA/GHS stock cartouche. It's faint, but it's there. Interesting. I now ask if they mind if I open the rifle up, and they say go for it. To the extent that I was able to check parts with a standard field-stripping, the rifle is all correct for September of 1942 (serial number is 860,151), the front sight screw still has the seal on it that they put in place to keep GIs from messing with the front sights. Well, I couldn't pass this by, so I brought it home, broke it down, and took a bunch of photos for your viewing pleasure.

The "big" picture:
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Bright bore, no frosting/pitting. Muzzle wear: 1.5, throat erosion: 3
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GHS cartouche. Very faint, but visible. Proof "P" no longer visible.
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Short barrel channel, with "O" stamped inside the channel.
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-17 Receiver, short fork riveted op rod guide, "Type 2" op rod catch in the bright.
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-3 uncut operating rod.
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-12 Bolt, with "E" stamped on underside. Polished/bright bolt face?
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Rear sight pinion: I'm not sure if it was previously cut and then re-peened like a lot of restorations, but the lock bar does not come off.
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According to the books, the knurled elevation knob did not come out until a couple of months after this receiver was serialized. It is interesting to note, however, that the elevation knob is close to calibrated for respective ranges. The 600 yard setting is 18 minutes/clicks up from the full down position of the rear sight. As a service rifle shooter, I would expect the 600 yard setting to occur at about 21 clicks up from the full down position of the rear sight. Perhaps this elevation knob is original to the rifle's service, perhaps a previous collector/restorer zeroed the rifle, or perhaps the knurled knob was present earlier than thought (not counting on it)? I do have a -32 receiver that is a serialized about 125,000 rifles BEFORE the books say the -32 receiver came about.
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Front sight seal in place:
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Bright-ish single slot gas cylinder lock screw:
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S-A-9-42 Stamped upside down, proof punch just forward of the barrel profile change:
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In any event, this rifle set me back a little bit less than $1500. She joins an 11/43 SA, and 11/44 SA that I own as well as an 11/53 H&R, and a May/June '44 Winchester in need of a GHD stock that I'm babysitting but hope to own in about a month. I'm happy to answer any questions about it, or take more photos if there is any interest.

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