Late 1944 S.A. Garand (almost original?)

[hurrikane18]

Hurrikane,
The site you reference is known to be loaded with incorrect information.
Back when I started studying and collecting M1 rifles (40 or so years ago) there was no 'net. Reading books, asking LOTS of questions and writing letters was the norm. I've paid my dues. I'm usually freely forth-coming with the info one asks for but your snydeness does not warrant it. Read the books, write the letters and ask the questions yourself. Good luck on your endeavors, mon ami.
Jon

I didn’t know that site was loaded with wrong information (how could I?) - that’s the first I’m being told of this. But there’s not much else to go off of and that’s exactly why I’m here, asking questions (very organized questions, even posting each specific part with a brief description and a picture to make it as easy and being as helpful as I can). To which I’m told this rifle is not original - that seems to be the only information anyone’s willing to share. Real helpful. I guess I have a few specific parts to research now. The stock (for some reason GAW may not be correct for this rifle, not sure why, but I’ll look into that). The safety (still not sure the difference between -11 and _11 other than the difference is a “BIG” one). The op rod (I knew from the start the cut was not original and said so in my original post but there may be more to look at here besides that). So in a way this group has been helpful. Actually, I shouldn’t lump everyone into the same category here. A couple of you have been very helpful and messaged me privately and I do appreciate that. Seems like the ones with the most information prefer to hold onto it though. Make the new guys learn the hard way and pay their dues before they’re part of the club type of mentality. Which is fine, I can appreciate that. My collection is not specific to the M1 Garand, but rather WWI and WWII rifles and handguns in general. So I’ve done this many times before with each new firearm I acquire. As I learn, I immediately start to share my knowledge and help others. I can tell the M1 Garand is going to take the most work of anything I’ve acquired so far - but that’s half the fun, isn’t it? No hard feelings here.

Cheers!
Tyler

[USGI]

Tyler, I usually hang-out on the Carbine Forum, but came over here last night and read through all the recent threads. I'm a "newbie" on Garands and bought mine just a few months ago. I've been trying to figure out what's original and what isn't, just like you. One thing I noticed on your trigger group picture is the hammer spring plunger. I believe yours is the later one like I have. It doesn't straddle the hammer like the originals did. Hope I got this right, and believe I do. Nice Garand! - Bob

[usabaker]

Any Garand is nice. You could hand me the most beat-up, ugly, non-original M1 and I would be proud and happy to share it with others.

I 2nd that.

You have a really sweet Garand on your hands

[browningautorifle]

the hammer spring plunger. I believe yours is the later one like I have. It doesn't straddle the hammer like the originals did.

Right, the early ones had "Ears" and later didn't.

[John Wyatt]

Comparing the OP's rifle to a relatively close serial numbered rifle in Scott Duff's data sheet book, most of the parts shown in the photos are correct. I believe the barrel date is significantly too early for the serial number and the barrel's finish appears too good for the condition of the receiver. The op-rod was modified and there is a second P proof of the stock. To me, this all adds up to someone's attempt to correct an arsenal overhauled rifle. This is quite common. Based on this, I don't think there is any way to conclude any parts are original to the rifle.

[browningautorifle]

this all adds up to someone's attempt to correct an arsenal overhauled rifle. This is quite common. Based on this, I don't think there is any way to conclude any parts are original to the rifle.

So maybe at some point people will believe me when I tell you all the story of firsthand knowledge of...

I think this one came from Lever arms in Vancouver back some years. They had a huge influx of M1 rifles from Denmark and they stripped them ALL to every part to build "Correct" models. They had everything from three digit serials up. This would be one that was assembled when they were left with good parts that could only be put together to a nice shooter.