9 Mar 20 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Richard Cowell spent six months hunting down the rifle after finding a white piece of paper with the word “Springfield” written in cursive followed by the serial number “3594593” in his father’s desk. Finding a specific service rifle after 73 is like finding a needle in a haystack mind you.

After WWII, the United States handed out M1 Garands like candy to nations all over the world has lend lease, foreign aid, and direct sales. Denmark, Vietnam, Italy, and Guatemala are just a few of the countries over the years that have gotten rifles. So the chance that Mr. Cowell’s rifle was still in the US was a slim chance.

But luck shined upon Richard and he found his father’s rifle. He found the rifle on GunBroker.com in New Jersey of all places. A gun collector was selling it, and after Richard outbid a tough competitor, the rifle was his.



In late October, Mr. Cowell’s 11-year-old grandson, Tommy, presented him with the rifle.

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