Lend Lease Garand data mining results

[Bob Seijas]

I recall a reference that the Brit Commandos tried the M1 and "loved it." IIRC they requisitioned about 1,000. Of course I can't find the source when I need it.

[Gil Boyd]

John,
This is an image of Marine George Barnes on U.S Destroyer Horace BASS just before a raid into Korea in 1951, so they were in use then, hope this helps.

[mrclark303]

Thanks for the pic Gil... Very interesting indeed.
I was at the Warminster collection last week, perhaps I should have paid more attention to the Garands....
I will check them for the requisite markings next time.

[Gil Boyd]

Scruffy bunch those Royal Marines, and as you can see from the photo, they don't carry a lot, not like us PARA's
Incoming!!!!

[Bad Gambler]

Interesting that 406762 is not in a block. I own that rifle and currently have it for sale.

Thanks for the info.

[RCS]

Another interesting point, when I bought my Lend Lease rifle years ago, I shot it over the years. There wasn't a warning or information about the
round firing pin. I had the 1947 ordnance manual which did state to replace the round firing pin - but no warning, it also said to replace the flush
nut rear sight and the short fork follower rod too. Much later Billy Pyle and Scott Duff published information about the round firing pin

[Gil Boyd]

Interesting that 406762 is not in a block. I own that rifle and currently have it for sale.

Thanks for the info.

Bad Gambler,
I wouldn't worry too much about that. These rifles like the Lee Enfield breed were made in very stressful wartime conditions in the main, and it is known and possible that those charged with this unique work, didn't always mark their products right. Of course many years later here we are giving relevance to sectioned numbers and the period they were manufactured, not so in many cases. So in short enjoy the rifle and I hope it sells well for you.

[Brian Dick]

He's located in Windsor, Ontario Canada. I saw the video and have mixed feelings about working vintage weapons the way he does. I guess if it's a basket case with no collector value, it's an option. To take a collector grade weapon and do it his way would be a sin IMHO. The one thing I noticed that really bothered me is that he didn't plug the bore and gas port of the M1 Rifle when he phosphated it. To me, that's a gross lack of attention to detail. I go to great pains not to flood barrels with Parkerizing solution when I do that work here. I think others here that perform these type services would agree. I also only use AAA glass beads to blast metal parts. It just cleans the metal perfectly without etching it badly like sand does. Just my opinion after doing this kind of work for near 30 years. I'm not trying to offend anyone.

[browningautorifle]

I too found sand brutal and we only used glass beads.

There wasn't a warning or information about the
round firing pin.

I too had one, 328219 and it came with the round pin in the buttstock and a flat pin inside. Without knowing why the black, nice one wouldn't be inside I installed it, in 1976 or so. Then later I changed it out so it wouldn't be worn like the flat one. Again without knowing. I shot it while installed and had no trouble, but trouble was documented and I'd have wept to have destroyed a rifle like the pics of the one in Pyle's book...since the rifle is sold and last I knew it was in a collection of WW2 M1 time capsules in London On. 5 rifles all original and with the 5 different inspector cartouches on the stock. Top one in the pic was mine...

[Rick B]

One Big issue I have seen is when they were re imported back the stocks were all mixed up from cleaning of the many rifles. You will see many early with short channels and many late with long channels due to this. I also still am lost how Scott Duffs book shows only early with long channel stocks and large cannons. That is incorrect as I have handled well over 200 GHS stocks and it is pretty clear cut that Large and small cannons were used all though out. I have found the the earliest seem to be Large cannons but this is for a very short period of time. I have also seen a No Trap GHS stock Rick B