Lend Lease Act and Garands/Garand Scabbards

[RT Ellis]

I have read comments regarding rifles, including the rifle M1, with red bands painted on them for identification to indicate non-standard ammunition, that have returned from the United Kingdom. The implication is that these rifles were Lend-Lease, but I rather doubt the U.S. would have sent the standard rifle that was needed to equip the Army and Marine Corps. I suppose the current C&R writers have documents that show the rifles were provided under the Lend-Lease act, and you might want to research the recently published books available on the subject. Apparently the Remington manufactured rifle M1903s were originally contracted under the Lend-Lease Act.

As to the scabbard, the various embossed markings you describe are probably inspector stamps, which was usually the inspector's initials, and the final inspection was located near the manufacturer's marking that usually included the year of manufacture. I rather doubt that the British would have had any requirement for a rifle scabbard for Home Guard use. However never say never.

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[browningautorifle]

The implication is that these rifles were Lend-Lease, but I rather doubt the U.S. would have sent the standard rifle that was needed to equip the Army and Marine Corps.

Don't know where you've come from...this is a fact well documented and known by many. I have one of those rifles, early serial number and all from a time before the US was involved in the war. I think you'd better do a bit of exploration and education in this area before advising people.

[Pmoore87]

Ok, so for a 1941 stamp and the Initials V.D.C. is it likely that the initials are the inspector or that it was a lend lease piece sent to Australia or at least meant to be sent there before the bombing of Pearl Harbor? In that case I am extremely surprised it ever made it back to the states but that is definitely a very cool little bit of history regarding the item and makes a bit unique.