M1C sniper rifles in Canada

[Seaforth72]

I am curious to know of M1C examples that are in Canada in museums or in private collections. I have seen a fair number of M1D sniper rifles in Canada, but so far have only encountered one owner of an M1C in Canada.

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[Bob Seijas]

So are we If you find any, give us the numbers.

[Seaforth72]

Please include "any of the ex-sniper M1C rifles (that have had the bracket removed and the five holes filled on the left side) that are known to be in Canada. The receiver of these was usually stamped "SA52" on the apron (flat area just behind the rear sight).

Thank you

[Seaforth72]

I came across a British Columbia owner of a couple more M1C sniper rifles and one is reportedly a "1952 (MC-1) Sniper Rifle."

I had located an MC-1 Griffin & Howe slide in Canada last summer, but at the time I did not have the reference books to confirm its identity. The price was high enough that I could not take the gamble, not knowing what it was. When I phoned back ... it had been sold.

[Bob Seijas]

Just a reminder that sniper rifles marked SA-52 on the tang have been restored from plugged guns. At one time some collectors thought the mark was proof of USMC M1952 Sniper conversion, but subsequent research disproved that notion. It was simply an early SA rebuild mark that included some surplus M1Cs salvaged back to standard by plugging the holes. When M1Cs were very scarce, some collectors made them by unplugging the holes and putting the scope equipment back on.

[Seaforth72]

Good point Bob Seijas. A batch (1,500 as I recall reading) were converted back to ordinary M1 rifles by Springfield Armory during the Korean War when the U.S. military was running short of regular M1 rifles.

Years ago when M1C sniper rifles were extremely scarce, collectors reportedly restored some of these ex-M1C SA-52 marked rifles back to M1C configuration, just as is being done with many Mosin 91/30 PU ex-sniper rifles in the USA today. It is a case of "beggars can't be choosers" as the old saying goes.

Now that the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has obtained many M1C sniper rifles that were among the thousands of Garands returned to the U.S.A., less slide (mount with rings), scope and accessories and has been selling them, collectors and Garand book authors have become more fussy. Wealthier Garand collectors reportedly like to keep the ex-M1C SA-52 marked Garands as they are, considering them to be a scarce variant and also buy an M1C. Others, especially those unable to afford (or ineligible to buy) a CMP M1C are quite happy to restore an SA-52 back to M1C configuration. When the CMP supply of M1C rifles dries up, interest in the ex-M1C SA-52 rifles should pick up again.

As a Canadian, I find it intriguing that Americans today (2015 April) can either hand select M1C and M1D sniper rifles in a rack at one of the two CMP stores or simply order one by mail from the CMP. This is so different from the situation for Canadians who have to watch the ads and gun shows for these and other sniper rifles. Although Canada used both the M1C and M1D in very limited numbers the M1C is rare in Canada and the M1D is scarce here. I do remember buying my first Lee-Enfield No. 4 MK. I (T) sniping equipments (complete sets in the No. 15 wooden chest) back in the early 1970s at Lever Arms in Vancouver, B.C. I recall being fussy as I looked at several, choosing one with a steel No. 8 MK.I scope case rather than one with the later No. 8 MK.II canvas scope case. A complete matching serial numbers No. 4 T set was $100. Being a cash-strapped university student and militia subaltern, I waited until the January sale and bought my 1945 BSA Shirley No. 4 MK.I (T) for $75 (plus tax). :-) I actually carried that one on an army exercise! Sadly I later sold it. :-( A couple of years ago I bought 6 original Mosin 91/30 PU sniper rifles but already today one is lucky to find a dealer who has even one.

By the way I feel that the term "plugged" is confusing referring to these SA-52 marked rifles. A plugged rifle is usually thought of (by me anyway) as being deactivated by plugging the barrel for drill use etc. On the ex-M1C SA-52 marked rifles, only the five (5) scope bracket mounting holes on the left side have been plugged. I recall reading that some countries that received M1C rifle also removed some scopes and plugged the 5 holes, though in a different fashion. Those rifles would not have the SA-52 marking.

Do note that there are 5-holes, so if a Garand has a different number of plugged holes, these were apparently a civilian modification e.g. I saw one with 4 plugged holes at our March gun show. It was also a phoney "tanker" and had been blued, so it was really messed up!

A caution for novices. I have noticed a disconcerting trend among sellers on eBay to list the "M1 Carbine" manuals etc. as "M1C", so do read any ads wiith care.

I would like to own an M1C rifle someday. I can't afford to be too fussy, so I do watch for the ex-M1C SA-52 rifles as well as for an unmodified M1C in Canada.