Gunbroker Auction # 214621828 (2/17/2011) - HISTORIC ORIGINAL GAS TRAP M1 GARAND RIFLE
Seller says:
Gentlemen offering for your consideration is the most historic rifle I have ever had the pleasure of owning and now offering for sale. It truly is the most interesting battle documented M1 “Gas Trap” Garand Rifle I’m sure in existence. Quite possibly any M1 for that matter, much less an original “Gas Trap”. Its provenance is impeccable. The rifle was purchased directly from the original vet whom a very astute collector (he passed away in 2006) spotted in a July, 31, 1990 local newspaper article. The veteran was pictured holding the "Gas Trap" talking about his service during WWII. In the newspaper article the vet states “he still owns the M1 rifle issued in Panama to replace the broomstick rifle used in training”. The collector subsequently found the veterans name in the local phone book and called him. He later purchased the rifle directly from him after becoming friends. The veteran just happened to be a former paratrooper in the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion (GOYAS).
Let me tell you a little about who the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion were. The 551st was originally commissioned in Panama to take the
French
Caribbean island of Martinique, they were shipped instead to Europe. His battalion which spearheaded the attack against the Germans at the “Battle Of The Bulge” in January 1945, had been lost to God and history. The unit was completely decimated and suffered 85% casualties including its popular commanding officer Col. Wood Joerg. Of the 643 officers and enlisted men at the start of the battle, only 110 men survived (14 officers and 96 enlisted men). Nowhere were casualties higher than in Col. Wood Joerg’s 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion. Subsequently the 551st ceased to exist as a unit. On January 27, 1945 General James Gavin in Juslenville, Belgium informed the remaining men that the battalion was being inactivated and the remaining soldiers would be absorbed into the 82nd Airborne Division. Because so few men survived and personnel records disappeared it would be decades before the 551st would even be labeled “The Lost Battalion”. On February 23, 2001 Army Chief of Staff General Eric K. Shinseki awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during the “Battle Of The Bulge” to the unit during an official ceremony at the Pentagon.
Now about the rifle. The rifle is a late production “Gas Trap” M1 Garand s/n 46097, and was manufactured at Springfield Armory July 1940. It is absolutely original down to the last screw and has been documented on page 230 in Billy Pyles book “The Gas Trap Garand”. The rifle of course shows actual service and battle use, although still remains attractive in appearance. I copied the rifles data sheet in the photos below for anyone interested on what parts and drawing numbers are in the rifle. Plenty of photos are available in the ad below. Like I said earlier this rifle is 100% original down to the last screw and absolutely not a later restoration.
Along with the rifle the buyer will receive the July, 31, 1990 newspaper article of the vet holding the rifle, a subsequent April 1, 2001 front page local newspaper article on the vet describing his participation in the “Battle Of The Bulge”, his personal copy of Dan Morgan’s hardcover 548 page book “The Left Corner Of My Heart, The Saga Of The 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion” (Very interestingly there is a photo of a member of the 551st actually firing a “Gas Trap” while they were training in Panama), Billy Pyles book “The Gas Trap Garand” where the rifle is documented on page 230, his cut-down M1 Bayonet, and his Basic Field Manual, U.S. Rifle Caliber .30, M1.
Gentlemen this rifle should be in a museum or should be highly cherished by the lucky winning bidder on this auction. It surely is fitting for the best museum or private collection. Should somebody be the winning bidder I will personally deliver the rifle. It is much to valuable to risk shipping.
PM
Originally Posted by Calif-Steve
Got to agree 100 %.
