Looking for help on a May 1944 British-proofed M1 Garand

[Ms15710]

Hi all,

I recently picked up an SA M1 Garand from May 1944, #2818xxx with a 6-44 barrel. Accompanied with the rifle is a stiff British sling. The barrel in particular has British proof marks on it that suggest it came back to the United States in 1978 based on sources provided by this forum. It has nearly all correct parts except for the bolt, which is S-11<>.

Pictures can be found here for reference: '44 Garand - Album on Imgur

The metal parts of the rifle all show considerably similar signs of wear, particularly the receiver, operating rod, and barrel, which is "in the white" but measures ~5 at the throat and eats my CMP muzzle gauge.

The stock, while in significantly better condition than the metal parts of the rifle, has mold inside the channel and underneath the handguards. Aside from that, the stock and handguards appear too well cared for in comparison to the treatment of the rest of the rifle. The lower band still retains a solid pin, but it appears there may have been attempts to wrestle it out. I accidentally discovered I was able to prod it back and forth; I assume this suggests it is not properly snug?

I'm looking for any comments on the rifle, particularly as they relate to the lower band pin and the front and rear handguards. I'm wondering if the barrel is original to the rifle, despite the rough finish of the metal and the seemingly oiled wood. As previously mentioned, the lower band pin is still in place, but there does appear to be some mistreatment.

I believe these rifles were initially disassembled upon their return to the United States, but per my limited knowledge, I know this only to be the case for Interarm LL rifles during the '50s and '60s, which this rifle is not. Furthermore, as I additionally understand, rifles typically had barrel dates that were 0-3 months before the receiver date; this is one month after the receiver.

I'm happy to know any additional information that could shed more light on this rifle.

Thank you kindly.

Respectfully,
- Michael

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Undoubtedly the lower band pin has been stripped out at some time in the 70 odd years since manufacture. It's been in private hands for decades.

[RCS]

Where are the British proof marks located on your rifle ? Your barrel could be original to the receiver. That lower band pin
looks like it was removed a few times too. I have seen the Home Guard 1940 slings on M1 rifles. Some of your rear sight parts have been replaced.

I also have a April 1944 with the same wear on my receiver and believe it was a "bring back"

[Ms15710]

Hi sir,

The British proof marks are located above the gas cylinder, not beneath the operating rod-like many Lend-Lease rifles I have come across. Does this increase or decrease the possibility of it being the original barrel, despite the barrel date being one month after the receiver?

Barrel - Album on Imgur

[RCS]

The advanced Lend Lease Collectors (I am not one) would want a rifle from the first 38K group, red band around the front handguard,
and with BNP proofs under the operating rod at the rear of the barrel, plus the rifle would be in almost new condition.

Your barrel could well be original to your receiver with or without the proof marks. the proof marks just indicate your rifle was imported

[twh]

It’s not a lend lease M-1 as it falls outside the appropriate serial number range. It is an M-1 that at some point transitioned through Great Brittain.

[browningautorifle]

It is an M-1 that at some point transitioned through Great Britain.

Exactly.

[mrclark303]

I'm assuming lend lease Garands where all 42-43?

[RCS]

The first group of Lend Lease rifles started at around 320xxx serial number range and into very early 1942, just my estimate. The early rifles had the red band on the handguard and BNP proofs at the rear of the barrel. With the BNP proof there was a single letter which indicated the year of importation(example F is 1955, L is 1960 letter I omitted). The BNP proof was also stamped on the receiver ring and right side of the bolt, as the rifle parts were much harder than the BNP stamp, the markings became impossible to read but are still there. These rifles were in exc to new condition with all the proper parts from that time period, only Springfield M1 Rifles were among this group

[browningautorifle]

I had 328219 SA myself...