Unusual M1 Garand

[RickD1245]

Thanks very much everyone for your information. I knew the guy I bought it from very well and he wanted me and my sons to have it so I am sure that he thought the legend was true. It really doesn't matter to me because I enjoy having it and I only have $350 in it so i'm not hurt!

[Bob Seijas]

The fellow holding the T20 is John McCabe, long-time SA guy and one of the best friends collectors had. Access and help were never the same after he retired, we miss him.

[browningautorifle]

I'd still like to shoot that one. But...I have an M1 in 7.62 so I guess it's a moot point?

[Bill Ricca]

The T20 used a modified BAR magazine, which indicates it was in Cal. .30, not the T65 series of 7.62mm.

John McCabe was quite a guy. If I recall he moved to Florida.

[Bill Ricca]

This was on one of the old web site pages from Springfield Armory:

U.S. RIFLE T20 .30 SN# 1 Manufactured at Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in October, 1944 - Experimental gas-operated, selective fire rifle, essentially a modified M1 adapted to a 20-round detachable BAR-type box magazine. Receiver .3125" longer than standard M1. Incorporates the roller-lug bolt from the M1E3. Fires from open bolt in full-auto mode, closed bolt in semi-auto mode. Open bolt feature did not adequately solve cook-off problems. Crude welded flash hider on barrel. with no provision for grenade launcher. Muzzle velocity 2750 fps. Cyclic rate of fire: 500 rpm. Weapon has an overall length of 44 1/2", a barrel length of 24" and weighs approximately 10 lbs. without accessories. Magazine missing. Development of the T20 model terminated in January 1945 with recommendations that minor changes and strengthening of various components be made. A rifle incorporating these minor design changes was designated T20E1. Markings: Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/CAL..30 T20/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/1. Barrel: 1-SA-9-44. Bolt: D28287-19SA/B-17. Weapon transferred to the Museum on 29 November 1951.

[browningautorifle]

I was refering to the OP's gun Bill.

[Bill Ricca]

I was just bring up some info on the T20.

[Snafu]

I remember a outfit called Bland with adds in Shotgun News
They did these conversions in the 90s

[browningautorifle]

It just looks to me like a hi-bred of M14 parts installed on an M1.

[jmoore]

To save RickD1245's photos on this thread for posterity, here they are:


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These are edited from the originals to eliminate background and to increase detail.