M1 Garand IHC and HRA Buttstocks

[broomhandle]

My IHC Garand is serial # 5159XXX indicating 1954 manufacture with a LMR 8 53 barrel.
I'm not sure if the stock is IHC or HRA. the stock barrel groove has no numbers. All of the technical publications on the Garand still leave me with doubts on stock manufacturer. Is there a simple, foolproof to tell the difference ?

Information

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[Russ661]

There are certain hallmarks, telltale signs that can point you to the original manufacturer. The easiest thing for you to do is to post nice clear pictures of the stock, particularly the pistol grip, any cartouches, a side view showing the stock from mid-receiver to mid-butt stock and one of the empty stock from above. The experts can then see the contours and weigh in with their opinions. I'm not one of those guys

[GUTS]

The IHC stocks should have the same DOD cartouche as the SA's, 1/2" box. As far as I know the IHC stocks all had a four digit number and an OR in the barrel channel on the early ones and just the four numbers on the later ones. If the DOD cartouche is 3/8" it is probably an HRA stock. Either way it is a beautiful rifle.

[budmant]

To me, it looks HRA..large back porch, non-serified P & the thick right rear side of receiver cut are the signs of an HRA stock. Looks like a sweet piece of wood.

[purple]

I say HRA. It has the typical large HRA "porch" to the rear of the receiver heel. An IHC stock will have the 4 digit julian date in the barrel channel plus a "scallop" or relieved area on the right side of the stock to the rear and below the windage knob.

[GMtech485]

HRA , not IHC

Wrong cartouche, wrong contour, wrong finish marks, lacks julian date all indicate non IHC

Nice stock though

[Joe W]

An exceptionally nice HRA stock but keep the following in mind. Original IHC rifles in the in the 5.0 to 5.2 serial number range have been found equipped with HRA stocks. According to Scott Duff, "the heaviest concentration of HRA stock usage appears to be in the 5.15 to 5.17 million serial number range." Your rifle fits right in this range. You can find an article by Scott Duff, with a data sheet of rifle 5169890 with HRA stock in the Spring 2005 edition of the Garand Collectors Journal.
Even if this stock is not original to this rifle it will sure save you a ton of money that you would have to pay for a IHC stock. This stock works just fine on your rifle. SEMPER FI

[broomhandle]

Thank all of you for your time and knowledge. I really appreciate the information.

[Rick B]

That is clearly Overton stock {see partial v-notch} and the arched star DAS that matches the late 5.6 million to end Sprinfield. Rick B

---------- Post added at 07:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 PM ----------

Overton most proabbly roughed in the blanks and HRA finished it out if it is a HRA but the DAS is very confusing. Rick B

[GUTS]

That is clearly Overton stock {see partial v-notch} and the arched star DAS that matches the late 5.6 million to end Sprinfield. Rick B

---------- Post added at 07:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 PM ----------

Overton most proabbly roughed in the blanks and HRA finished it out if it is a HRA but the DAS is very confusing. Rick B

I believe you are correct Sir, the angle is steeper than the angle on an SA Stock, and we know it's not a Winchester. I never enlarged that picture untill you pointed it out. I have an Overton stock on one of my Garands, but it's birch.