Greek Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand .30-06 Semi-Auto Rifle CMP C&R 1954
SOLD FOR: $1,125
WOA#: WY240210RN008
Make: Harrington & Richardson
Model: M1 Garand
Serial Number: 5508963
Year of Manufacture: 1954, August (Barrel date)
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, 8 round en bloc clip fed
Markings:
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / H&R. ARMS CO./ 5508963”
Trigger Group: “6528290-HRA N”
Trigger Guard: No marking
Hammer: “5546008 HR C”
Safety: No marking
Follower: No marking
Receiver Leg: “L”, “6528291”
Op Rod: “6535382 HRA.”
Barrel: “HRA 6535448 8-54 RS36 P M” and a shamrock stamp
Bolt: “6528287 HRA U”
The left side of the stock is marked with a boxed CMP stamp. The underside of the grip is marked with a circled “P” stamp.
Barrel Length: Approximately 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture sight set between two protective wings.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose cap, stacking loop, two sling loops, and a checkered metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate has light wear along the edges and some spots of oxidation. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The stock has been lightly sanded, which may have been done by the CMP. The underside of the forestock has a heavy amount of compression marks. There is a large amount of grease at the rear interior of the trigger group slot. There are a couple deeper compression marks on top of the front upper handguard. There is wear along the bottom edges of the front upper handguard. The LOP measures 13.1” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7.5 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scrapes throughout the metal. There is usage wear throughout the receiver, bolt, op rod, and barrel exterior. There is wear to the finish on the sides of the receiver leg. There is finish wear on the bottom of the magazine floor plate. The screw heads show moderate use. The finish on the gas tube is heavily worn. There is a patina on the stacking hook. Pitting is present on the front and middle barrel bands. The middle barrel band is bent and has damage on the left side. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a CMP cardboard box, a CMP certificate of authenticity, and a canvas sling.
Our Assessment: The U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 is known affectionately as “the Garand” after its inventor, John Garand. The rifle would become the first standard-issue semi-automatic infantry rifle in the world. While some countries entered the war with limited issued semi-automatic rifles or developed such rifles during the war, America was the only nation to enter with its Army issuing autoloading rifles on a large scale. Millions were produced during WWII and hundreds of thousands afterward, seeing use through the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Interestingly, while many other weapons and military items would see production contracts sent out to otherwise non-related companies, during WWII production remained with Springfield Armory and Winchester. It was only after WWII that production would be contracted out to another gunmaker, Harrington & Richardson, as well as the agricultural equipment maker, International Harvester.
This Harrington & Richardson M1 Garand was originally made in August, 1954, based on the barrel date. According to the CMP, it saw service with Greece after the Second World War. The marked parts are all Harrington & Richardson. The stock has been lightly sanded and there is heavy wear on the underside and sides of the forestock. The metal retains most of its finish, with usage wear throughout. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and light erosion. This would fit into any U.S., Greek, or Cold War collection. Please see our photos.
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