Unusual M1 Garand

[RickD1245]

I have what I am told is a very unusual M1. It is a Springfield with serial number 1986xxx. It is in excellent condition. This is one that has even stumped my local expert. It is quite obviously an M1 Garand in styling, it is the length of a Tanker model however it is chambered for .308 (7.62) and has a detachable box magazine.

I bought the gun 10+ years ago off an old Range Master that was retiring. The story he told me was that it was a late war prototype that never went into production but instead turned into the M14.

I heard that Baretta made a gun like this but this is a Springfield.

Is anyone familiar with an M1 like this? Any idea of it's value?

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Mark in Rochester]

After World War II, Italy adopted the US-designed M1 Garand rifle in .30-06 (7.62x63mm) and also manufactured it under license. This semi-automatic rifle proved itself well during World War II, but in the late 1950s it was considered outdated and obsolete and the Italian military also wanted a new rifle chambered for the NATO-standard 7.62x51mm round.

To meet these requirements, Beretta designed the BM59, which was essentially a rechambered M1 fitted with a removable 20-round magazine, folding bipod and flash suppressor/grenade launcher. The BM59 is capable of selective fire.

The BM59 was adopted in 1959 and served with Italian, Argentinian, Indonesian, and Moroccan armies. In the early 1980s, semi-automatic versions were imported to the USA and sold to private collectors. The earliest BM59s were manufactured from U.S.-manufactured M1 parts, including re-chambered barrels.

Pictures would help

T20 Below

[RickD1245]

Additional information:

Above serial number on receiver is marked:
U.S. RIFLE
CAL. 30M1
SPRINGFIELD
ARMORY

When charging handle is pulled back you can see the marking 4 * 4 4 44 on the barrel.
Top front of bolt marked D6528287 HRA and a U under that number.
Front of handgrip marked P (may be underlined) and bottom of handgrip marked RA - P

---------- Post added at 06:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:01 PM ----------

Thank you for your response. I was told that my M1 looks very much like the BM59 but there are NO Beretta markings to indicate that it is such. Also my magazine looks just like an M1A mag. It is flat across the bottom, not slanted like the one in the picture. I just posted some additional markings from the gun.

[Bill Ricca]

There were many Garands altered on this market with M14 magazines and BAR magazines, depending upon the caliber of the barrel the dealer used.

This went on for years. This one may have the 7.62 chamber insert.

You will need something to prove his story. It sounds like nonsense. It could not be a late war prototype with much later parts.

[browningautorifle]

Pics would be great but I have to agree, it's probably a put together for use. No collector value. I would like to see it though.

[RickD1245]

I have pics but I don't see how to insert them here. I don't have them online that I can use a url address.

[RickD1245]

Over view picture by RickD1245 - Photobucket
Left side picture by RickD1245 - Photobucket
Magazine well picture by RickD1245 - Photobucket
Magazine seated - side view picture by RickD1245 - Photobucket

[Bill Ricca]

That is an M14 Magazine, which started being made in 1959.

Post the markings on the back of the magazine.

[RickD1245]

There are no markings of any kind on the mag.

[Bill Ricca]

Some GI mags have no marks. I know, I have had several.

That story is false. However you do have a very nice converted rifle. Lots of guys like converted M1's, which take an M14 magazine. It is a dangerous thing to do because the receiver can be damaged if the conversion is not correct.

As long as it works, you have a very desirable rifle.

The story given to you is either because the seller knew nothing about it and believed the previous owner, or he did it himself. These conversions started in the early 1970's due to a large amount of M14 parts available. Your magazine well has an M14 Magazine Retainer.

If this rifle was a prototype you would have a prototype magazine involved. The first prototype magazine made was circa 1953-54. See it below. It is part of my history research items.






There is no history involved.