I recently refurbished a WWII SA M1 for a friend. The rifles metal finish was excellent indicating a refurbishment. The "P" stamped within a square confirms that it was refurbished. I noted that there were matching cuts and repairs in the stock along the trigger guard base plate on both sides of the stock. Has anyone ever seen these before and know why they were done? Thank you for your assistance.
That was an arsenal repair to save a stock that had poor trigger group stock compression. Accuracy requires that the trigger group locks up tightly compressing the wood between the receiver and trigger group.
Today, many original stocked Garands have poor compression because of wood shrinkage over time and aggressive use of sandpaper in refinishing. Glass bedding is the best method to correct a receiver that "swims" in a stock. Many shooters in the 60-70's used paper/pressboard shims between the receiver and trigger group to gain compression and improve accuracy.
I believe that the square P is an indication of (the stock at least) being rebuilt at San Antonio Arsenal or Red River Army Depot.
SA used the glass bedding compound they developed for the NM program to tighten loose lockup in rebuilds of the Sixties. When these were first seen, some collectors labeled them NM Type 1 1/2, believing they were match rifles between Type 1 and Type 2 LOL
Real men measure once and cut.
Thank you for the information! That leads me to a follow up question - would CMP have performed this repair and if not, would CMP have placed a new stock on this rifle? I'm just trying to figure out the path this rifle traveled fir the current owner before he inherited it from his father.
The DCM (old CMP) sold M-1s with this type of repair out of government storage in the 70's. These rifles were depot rebuilt in the 60's. If brass nails were used in the repair most likely it was done in a depot. A call to the CMP Custom Shop in Anniston, AL might answer the question if they are repairing stocks today.
Great information, thank you!Originally Posted by Steve762
I highly doubt that the CMP is repairing stocks to improve lockup.
Yeah, my CMP rifle was pretty loose. Do remember that bedded stocks aren't legal for JC Garand matches, last I checked.
Bob
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
I'm probably incorrect, but it seems to me that adding glass bedding to the stock to improve trigger group lockup and no other glass bedding is done that really doesn't constitute a glass bedded stock.
"You are what you do when it counts."
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