M1 Garand

[Joe N]

Hi, here is an M1 Garand I picked up today, although I was hoping it would be a lend lease, which I do not think it is, I am pretty pleased that it appears to be an early manufacturer. Thanks for looking

[Ronnie Fry]

Joe,
I don't know that much about Garands, but that one REALLY looks right to me!! 1941 bbl date and all!! Why do you not think it's lend lease?? I thought the red band was what the Brits put on the stock to delineate 30-06!!

r

[jdbwoodsman]

Hooray!!!!

Joe N. - You did real good. You have there an original Lend Lease M1 Garand that shows all the signs of being original and even has the original red paint .30 on it to signify to the Brits that it's a non standard caliber .303 and takes the American .30cal.

As you will notice, it has all the features I mentioned;
Flush nut rear sight
grooved rear handguard band
front sight seal intact
SA/GHS cartouche
unmodified op rod
I bet the bbl date is around the time of Pearl Harbor, it may even be a pre Pearl Harbor rifle. What a beauty! (EDIT: I got so excited I didn't even see the pic with the bbl date and Brit Proofs)


Pull the op rod back and where the bbl date and drawing numbers are you will see all the Brit Proofs.

You have a wonderful rifle there sir, and if in the United States it would bring nearly $4000 real quick.

WOW....wonderful rifle and you should be very happy and very proud. PLEASE DON'T EVER ALTER ANY PART OF THAT RIFLE.

[Rylan]

That's nice man! and yes you have what is refered to as an early 6 diget SA M1 Garand

Everything looks pretty well original too.

[Joe N]

Gentlemen, thank you! I am so grateful for the assistance I have received here with my firearms. I thought the rear site was incorrect because it did not have a locking bar, but now I see this was a feature put on after. That is why I thought it was not a lend lease. I continue to learn from you all, thanks again!
Joe

[Jimmy]

Nice gun

Should it have a Broad arrow British proof?
I have a Colt 38 super with the red paint shipped to the British Purchasing Agent during the Battle of Britain.
It has broad arrow proofs in spite of having Colts proof.
That is one fine M1.
Jimmy

[jdbwoodsman]

Jimmy,
British Proof laws provided for certain information to be struck on firearms being exported out of GB, that's when the British Proofs were struck. Some of the firearms were proofed at Birmingham and some London. The Birmingham proofs will have BNP for Birmingham Nitro Proof and crossed septers. London proof is a a crown over GP and/or arm with a raised septer over NP (Nitro Proof) - (this rifle has the London raised septer NP) so you'll see the different markings on British Proofed firearms. As proofing laws changed, so did the markings you will see depending on when they were sold and exported out of Great Britian.

[Jimmy]

I think I am talking about the Broad Arrow militay acceptance proof. Affixed before entering service. My colt has an ENFIELD proof. It was never exported from England having been liberated by an American GI during WW 2.
Jimmy