M1 Garand Question

[Bob Womack]

Hey Bob
So they did replacement stocks without cartouches.

I don't actually know what parts were made for inventory. Journalist Ernie Pyle wrote of medium ordnance companies in Normandy spending their morning salvaging rusting, damaged rifles by stripping them down to the parts. They threw the usable parts in pans of gasoline then scrubbed and sandpapered them back into spec. In the afternoon the oiled and assembled the parts to create complete, usable rifles. There was no mention of the companies bringing a store of spare parts from the 'States but I can't imagine that the rifle stayed in inventory for over twenty-three years without the Army, Navy, Marines, et. al. keeping spares of just about everything.

Bob

Information

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[EddieM]

I don't actually know what parts were made for inventory. Journalist Ernie Pyle wrote of medium ordnance companies in Normandy spending their morning salvaging rusting, damaged rifles by stripping them down to the parts. They threw the usable parts in pans of gasoline then scrubbed and sandpapered them back into spec. In the afternoon the oiled and assembled the parts to create complete, usable rifles. There was no mention of the companies bringing a store of spare parts from the 'States but I can't imagine that the rifle stayed in inventory for over twenty-three years without the Army, Navy, Marines, et. al. keeping spares of just about everything.

Bob

Hey Bob,
I can´t imagine those companies taking time to match all the M1s with the correct SN.
I was hoping that my barrel was marked as 30-06, but couldn't find any 30-06 marks in any part.
Regards

---------- Post added at 03:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:41 PM ----------

I think it's Birch Ed, like the standard replacement stocks later. I had one set that was brand new was almost orange. All three pieces. This one looks worn and birch. You could sure do better than THAT buttplate though...easily.

Hey Jim
So mine is a standard replacement, do you mean to replace the buttplate?.
Because of the worn and the barrels year, I think it may saw action at Korea, don´t you think so Jim?
Regards
Do you mean to replace the buttplate?

[Bob Womack]

Hey Bob,
I can´t imagine those companies taking time to match all the M1s with the correct SN. I was hoping that my barrel was marked as 30-06, but couldn't find any 30-06 marks in any part. Regards

The companies took all the rifles apart and chucked the parts into common pans. Because the parts were interchangeable, they just grabbed a bunch of parts and built a new rifle out of them. The parts didn't have a serial number like European arms did, they just had drawing numbers for their lot. At that point, as far as I know, all the M1 Garands in the Army were .30-06. I wouldn't know where your rifle got another bore. If it were me, I'd get a gunsmith to measure the chamber and bore and verify the caliber it is chambered in.

Bob

[EddieM]

The companies took all the rifles apart and chucked the parts into common pans. Because the parts were interchangeable, they just grabbed a bunch of parts and built a new rifle out of them. The parts didn't have a serial number like European arms did, they just had drawing numbers for their lot. At that point, as far as I know, all the M1 Garands in the Army were .30-06. I wouldn't know where your rifle got another bore. If it were me, I'd get a gunsmith to measure the chamber and bore and verify the caliber it is chambered in.

Bob

Thank you for the advice to check the barrel.
Look at the picture, the barrel has those marks, those tell you something, Bob?
Regards
Attachment 119924

[Bob Womack]

It's a Springfield Armory barrel built in April of 1953 It has a "P" proof mark. That's the extent of my knowledge. Anyone else got more?

Bob

[EddieM]

It's a Springfield Armory barrel built in April of 1953 It has a "P" proof mark. That's the extent of my knowledge. Anyone else got more?

Bob

Thank you Bob
Can those marks confirm that is a 30-06?
Regards

[Bob Womack]

Thank you Bob
Can those marks confirm that is a 30-06?
Regards

I'm not ready to say that, though by date, in all probability it is. That's why I called for help. I'd prefer to look dumb rather than hand out bad info that could get you hurt.

Bob

[EddieM]

I'm not ready to say that, though by date, in all probability it is. That's why I called for help. I'd prefer to look dumb rather than hand out bad info that could get you hurt.

Bob

Ok, thanks a lot, Bob

---------- Post added at 05:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:37 AM ----------

That part number D6535448 is a .30 cal. barrel.

Hey Bob,
So it´s a 30-06, thanks.
Regards

[ArtPahl]

While your barrel was originally .30/06, there is no proof that it is STILL .30/06. It could have been re-bored or re-chambered to something else. That was not as commonly done with Garands as with bolt action rifles but "never say never". As an example, I have an A3 Remington that has been re-chambered to .300 Winchester Magnum as well as a 1903 Remington that has been re-bored and re-chambered to .358 Norma Magnum. I have a few other rifles that have started out as one thing and are now another. So, the advice you have been given to have it checked is good advice.

[browningautorifle]

Do you mean to replace the buttplate?

Yes, they're easy to find.