EARLY M1 Garand Question Please

[Joe N]

Does anyone have a pic of an early M1 Garand, specifically the rear site assembly? I have seen wartime examples with the locking bar adjustment, but the one I am looking at does not have this on the right side of the rear site. Looks similar to my 1955 dated Garand.
The owner of the M1 says it is a lend lease that spent all it's wartime in England. It does have a red painted band on the front handguard. I hope to have pics soon, but any help from the experts would be appreciated, thanks

[Gary Cain]

Hi Joe,

The rear sight with the locking bar was removed in the 1947 arsenal rebuild programs. If the rifle has that feature it was sent through the rebuild as well. It could (unlikely) have had a broken rear sight which was replaced after 1947 but that is as I said before unlikely. Are there British proof marks on it?

Gary

Does anyone have a pic of an early M1 Garand, specifically the rear site assembly? I have seen wartime examples with the locking bar adjustment, but the one I am looking at does not have this on the right side of the rear site. Looks similar to my 1955 dated Garand.
The owner of the M1 says it is a lend lease that spent all it's wartime in England. It does have a red painted band on the front handguard. I hope to have pics soon, but any help from the experts would be appreciated, thanks

[geopop71]

Garand sight

I just checked Scott Duff's M1 book. The earliest M1 on his data sheet's with the locking bar is March of 42, the very early M1 did not have the locking bar. They may be the ones sent to England!!!! Yours may very well be correct
geopop

[Joe N]

Thank you Gentlemen, I appreciate this. Gary, I need to look at the rifle closely, hopefully in the next week. It would be so nice to find one, but the chances I know are unlikely. I will keep you appraised. Thank you once again, Gentlemen!!
Joe

[jdbwoodsman]

Joe N.... not so unlikely at all. Lend Lease Garands are fairly common in original condition and are highly prized by collectors. (All it takes is $$$)

First, the earlier LL had what is called the "Flushnut" rear sight assembly and then SA went to the Type 1 lockbar (The T1 lockbar is very rare) which you will find on the somewhat later LL Garands. A few things to look for...

1. Flushnut rear sight
2. Front sight with sight seal intact
3. Grooved rear hangguard band
4. bbl date matching the receiver (most LL Garands are in the 9/41 thru 5/42)
5. SA/GHS cartouched stock
6. Unmodified op rod
7. ALL matching SA parts

That's just a few things and you should have some success finding a nice rifle.

I can help you further if that is confusing.

[mkb42h]

here is a photo of garand # 1 rear sight:

http://www.pbase.com/mrclark/image/73362359

hope this helps.

[Joe N]

Gentlemen, this is of immense help, thank you!!!!!