Found the crossed Cannons

[SGT K]

Look what I found under all the grime on one of my stocks. I know this is no big deal and you guys have all seen plenty of them,,,,,but this is the only M1 that I have that still has this mark. There are two "P"s on the pistol grip - can I assume it's been refurbished twice?

I can faintly see the cartouche next to the cannons, but I can't quite make it out. It seems like I get a small history lesson every time I take one of these rifles apart and I have enjoyed coming to this site.
Thanks,
Paul

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[Joe W]

[QUOTE=SGT K;37557 There are two "P"s on the pistol grip - can I assume it's been refurbished twice?
Paul[/QUOTE]

Paul, Don't assume anything when it comes to the M1. The "P" with the circle around it is the Proof mark from the original test fire. The other "P" will not have a circle, it will be just a "P" or a "P" within a square box. This "P" indicates that the stock, at one time, was on a rifle at the time of rebuild but, there is no way to know for sure that the rifle it is now on was the rifle it was on at the time of rebuild. It is a pretty safe bet that over the years that stock was on a number of different rifles.

[SGT K]

Joe,

I see now, I really never knew exactly what the circle P meant, I only assumed. It sure does look like this particular M1 has two circle Ps. I agree completely though, I shouldn't assume anything on these rifles.

Thanks,
Paul

[Liftrat]

SGT K, congrats! I've never been that lucky with any of my CMP rifles. Yeah, some of the guys may be jaded, but I think it's pretty cool.

[Bob Womack]

It really does seem that each Garand has a story, no? Collectible or or no, This my rife...

Bob

[John Wyatt]

"Paul, Don't assume anything when it comes to the M1. The "P" with the circle around it is the Proof mark from the original test fire. The other "P" will not have a circle, it will be just a "P" or a "P" within a square box."

FYI, Depending on what facility did the re-build or inspection, you can have a "P" proof in a circle, box or not enclosed in either.

[Joe W]

"Paul, Don't assume anything when it comes to the M1. The "P" with the circle around it is the Proof mark from the original test fire. The other "P" will not have a circle, it will be just a "P" or a "P" within a square box."

FYI, Depending on what facility did the re-build or inspection, you can have a "P" proof in a circle, box or not enclosed in either.

Maybe I too, did a bit of "assuming". Any idea which rebuild facilities used the "circle P" ? I was wondering about that when Paul said it appeared his stock had two (2) circle P proofs. Thanks, Joe

[islandhopper]

I'm pretty sure that would be SA

[John Wyatt]

I believe SA used the circled serifed "P" proof throughout their production and overhaul of rifles

[RCS]

I have some early SA stocks that have been converted to the trapdoor buttplate and also have the second firing proof. Early stocks have the non serif P in a circle as the second proof. When the SA GAW stamp was used on rebuilt stocks the second firing proof had the serified P in a circle.

Post war stocks can also be found with the serified and non serified P in a square box on the pistol grip