My M1 Garand

[Tom792]

Hey Guys.

I have just registered, I am looking for some information on my M1 Garand.

I've done some research and I know the receiver '2758056' is a March - April 1944 dated.
I believe the stock markings stand for 'Gilbert H. Stewart' not sure on the date of this though.

Here are some photos of various numbers. Any feed back on Dates etc would be fantastic.

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.

[Rick B]

I like how the arched underside is showing that was more prominent in the SPG period. I am wondering it if was a hold over from that period before they stopped sanding that way and if this stock is a long channel? It may have been old stock put back on the line if it is a short channel. Rick B

[RCS]

I have a SA 2,770,090 that came from a small estate sale about 20 years ago, I believe it is original but well used as there are dents and nicks and not alot of finish left on the left side of the receiver. The parts are very close to yours except mine has a SA GAW cartouched stock with a 1SA 4 44 dated barrel:

Bolt is D28287-12SA S-A1<> trigger housing -12-SA, trigger guard is milled, hammer is -5 SA, safety is SA_11, follower is revision 12, bullet guide is forged

Follower rod is long fork, lower band is stamped, clip latch has the square front, operating rod is D35382 9 SA without relief cut, gas cylinder is wide base with a S stamp on top

the gas cylinder lock has the round top and the lock screw has the single slot, the rear sight knobs are knurled with type 2 lock bar.

The SA GHS stock on your rifle dates from late 1941 to June 1942 and is quite rare but a SA GAW cartouched stock would be correct for your rifle

[Tom792]

Thanks for the replies, really interesting and useful.

I was guessing the stock was from around the 41 - 42 period, I am more happy with that than a post war stock. As my profile states I'm from the UK so this is a deactivated rifle. I know this is butchery for you shooters but sadly our laws differ!

So the more parts of the rifle that's WW2 dated is good as that's my collection period. Also good to know its a 44 Barrel which I would of guessed, these are much more sought after in the collectors market and increase the value.

Is there any way of telling the dates on the other serial numbers though? On the Bolt, Trigger housing, trigger guard etc?

Also what does 'SPG' stand for ?

Thanks

[RCS]

Tom, "S.P.G. was Stanley Samuel Ployart Gibbs and was emplyed by the Ordnance Dept at Springfield Armory during the period of 1916 to 1951. Mr Gibbs became a small arms inspector at Springfield during the early 1930's and his SA SPG cartouche first appeared on Model 1903A1 and Model 1903 National Match rifles, When production of the M1 rifle started in 1937, Mr Gibbs inspected and cartouched the first M1 rifle and his cartouche until replaced by the SA GHS (Col Gilbert H. Stewart) in the fall of 1940. Later in 1949, Mr Gibbs also cartouched small arms that went through rebuild and his cartouche can be found on post WW2 rebuilt M1 rifles, it is a slightly different cartouche from the pre WW2 period.

Question, how are the M1 rifles made unserviceable in the U.K. ?

The revision numbers on M1 rifle parts will indicate a certain period of time with some overlap

[Tom792]

Ok thank you.

Well they can be deactivated in different ways depending on when it was made unserviceable.

The more desirable guns are the pre - 1995 deactivations as semi-automatics/smg's could still be cocked and dry fired, since then though the laws have changed and these can no longer dry fire, although bolt actions still can.

My M1 is a pre 1995 and can still be cocked and dry fired, will even accept a clip of ammo, what they have done to it are: Welded over the firing pin hole, and slit and blocked the barrel. That is it though. It can still fully field strip it.

I would love to fire one of these, but sadly just got to stick to my little 22.

Thank you for the information.

[RCS]

I shouldinclude more information on the revision numbers: The revision 12 bolt was used from early (April approx) 1942 to late 1944, there are many heat lot steel codes also used on these bolts, your bolt is correct. The revision 12 follower was used from about 2.1 million to about 3.6 million (there is overlap). The milled and stamped trigger guards overlap each other during the mid 1944 time period. The Type 2 and Type 3 lock bar rear sights also overlap during 1944, also during 1944 the long and short follower rod and gas cylinder lock screws will overlap as the grenade launchers were being issued. The checkering pattern on the buttplates also changed from the 1941-42 type to the late war period.
The gas cylinder changed from the early narrow front sight base to the wide base during the war, by 1943 the front sight screw cover was deleted. There is alot more but this
should highlight the changes

[Rick B]

Sad that they thought by restricting good citizens like yourself would stop crime. That stock by the way is worth $500.00 american money. Rick B

[Tom792]

That's really interesting, happy to have the majority of the pieces WW2 dated.

Thanks for all the info, Do you know of any books with this sort of information in ? Would love to read up and learn more myself.

Thanks again.

[RCS]

The cartouche used when manufactured was the SA GAW, this one in the photo is on a SA 2.4 million rifle.

Best books are by Scott Duff (somewhat dated but still goodAttachment 40286) and Bruce Canfield who has a new book out