Wear patterns on correct M1

[RCS]

The grooved rear handguard band was gone by July-August 1942, early gas trap period rifles had the grooved rear handguard band with the drawing number inside (two variations). you need the correct tool to remove the band. The follower rod is the short fork which would not be found in a rifle with your serial range, the op rod catch could be
Winchester. If you can provide more photos of the internal parts, they might be able to be identified. As jmoore stated the stock has overhang on the rear of the receiver. The rear sight cover might not be SA

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[browningautorifle]

I have a Danish return that has no electro pencilling. Mine is like that. It came in with a matching finish and perfect 1959 marked barrel. I've seen many with US barrels as well from this source. They truly used anything in the bin. There are so many sources that could have had it and returned it, and this done so long ago...it's hard to say just what took place. Not everyone marked their re-builds.

[SRiverrat11]

I have a Danish return that has no electro pencilling. Mine is like that. It came in with a matching finish and perfect 1959 marked barrel. I've seen many with US barrels as well from this source. They truly used anything in the bin. There are so many sources that could have had it and returned it, and this done so long ago...it's hard to say just what took place. Not everyone marked their re-builds.

OK. The heavy sanding explains the faint cartouche and the wood in such great condition. If its a military rebuild, why didnt they replace the lock bar sights? Or repark it? This has a 10/44 SA barrel too. I guess some of this stuff I'll never know. Thanks to all. I still have volumes to learn. After reading many posts looking for similar M1's I have discovered there are many former Marines on this site. So Semper Fi!

[browningautorifle]

My M1 that I referred to has a lock bar too. It was serviceable so it was left alone. #3340115 SA a Danish rebuild. I've seen grooved lower bands, forged trigger guards, early gas cylinder locks clean walnut with inspectors markings...just whatever they had that still was good. The best part is, I witnessed the Danish carrying these in Cyprus in 1975 as personal weapons...so I know they used them for duty.

[jmoore]

An additional factor is that civilian folk have been doing the "mix and match" game to configure their rifles as they see fit for many, many years. Between military rebuilds in all sorts of countries and folk "improving" their rifles, there's not but a teeny number that are as left their factory. Probably less than 1%.

[Bob Seijas]

That would be 50,000+ rifles

[SRiverrat11]

I would like to thank you all for your sound opinions. I am learning so much here, and have already got back more than the "Contributing Member" fee was.

[jmoore]

Less Than 1% That would be 50,000+ rifles

It DOES give one hope that they're out there. But I've yet to obtain an early to mid WWII rifle that's without suspicion in 30 years of admittedly fairly casual looking. Now that prices for reasonably correct rifles have risen so high, it's an ever harder quest. Have come close several times, but the most correct one I have (from Dec '41/Jan '42) came with a Gas Trap trigger group and a EMcF stock. Would reckon most of that nominal SWAG 1%/50,000 would be Korean or Post Korean War vintage.

[Bob Seijas]

Attachment 43236Attachment 43237Yes, agree that far more Korean era guns are found mint than WWII rifles... CMP has found hundreds in the last few years. However, those early rarities do turn up with some regularity, I have a 6-digit WRA with no-trap stock that is 100%, apparently issued to a lighthouse keeper during WWII and not used. Perfect 1945 guns continue to be found, the GCA Journal has written up a perfect 19000 Gas Trap, a perfect matching M1C, and a perfect 4-43 SA.

[browningautorifle]

I have a 6-digit WRA with no-trap stock that is 100%,

I know it's a reach Bob, but do you suppose you could show us a bit of this one?? Please??