Evaluating a Garand

[levallois]

I've had this Garand for a while but have been shooting my HRA exclusively while this rifle waited patiently in the safe. I think that all I have is a nice Springfield mix-master that came from an old guy who had it for many years and tried to turn it into a sniper - it still has the sniper scope-mount on it because I don't want to remove the barrel to get it off of there. However, a buddy seems to think it's something special because it has a six-digit serial number and "weird" parts. I'm intrigued with its history given the parts that are on it but I wanted to check with you guys before shooting it.

So here-goes -
receiver - ser no 744xxx, D28291-17
bolt D28287-12SA
Trigger D28290-12-SA
Hammer C46008-2-SA

Barrel replaced - S-A-3-51 - D6535448 40 A144A - TE 3, MW 2.5
Stock - only cartouch is an SA - open on the bottom - it's positioned on left side between wrist and butt

Then it gets interesting because there are Beretta parts?
op rod D35382 PB
follower rod BMG
rear sight PB on right side and M, FZR on left

So the rifle was made in mid - 1942 - did it see action in WWII? - who knows? Then it was rebuilt in early 1951 - did it see action during the Korean War? who knows? Then, did it go to Italy for a while? There are no import marks that I can find.

While all this is interesting; this is pretty-normal, right? Nothing to collect here? Can I shoot it and not ruin anything special?

Thank you for your time.

John

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[Devil Dog]

I would just shoot and enjoy it.
Just because the barrel is dated 3-51 doesn't mean it was installed then. It could have been installed ANYTIME after that date. Your stock went through rebuild at S.A. Perhaps on an other gun. You gun was probally never in Italy. Perhaps Denmark, however, Italian parts are common in the U.S. It may have never left this country. I'm just pointing out other possible options. You will never know it's real history..

[levallois]

Thanks Devil Dog - time to go shooting.