Greek Springfield M1 Garand .30-06 Semi-Auto Rifle CMP C&R 1942

SOLD FOR: $1,402

WOA#: WY240210RN007

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 454169

Year of Manufacture: 1942, January

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, 8 round en bloc clip fed

Markings:
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD/ ARMORY / 454169”
Trigger Group: “D28290-7-SA”
Trigger Guard: No marking
Hammer: “C46008-3 SA”
Safety: “C46015-9SA”
Follower: “12”
Receiver Leg: “B 6”, “D 28291-14 SA”
Op Rod: “D35382 3 SA”
Barrel: “2-S-A 1’44”
Bolt: “D28287-2SA”, “RE2”

There is an import mark on the right side of the barrel. The inside of the magazine floor plate has an old piece of tape with “#36 W-8R E-M” written on it in pen. The left side of the stock is marked with a boxed “S.A. GHS” stamp and a crossed cannons stamp. The underside of the grip is marked with a circled “P” stamp. The underside of the buttstock is marked “23”.

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 is worn around the edges and some of the checkering has been worn away. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There are two thin cracks on the underside of the stock coming off the front of the magazine well. There is wear along the rear edge of the buttstock, next to the buttplate. There is wear along the edge of the trigger assembly and magazine well. The bottom of the grip has a circular wood plug repair. There are four reinforcement pins in the front upper handguard around a thin crack. There is a deep compression mark on the rear 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 Fair to Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is shallow. There is heavy erosion in the bore.

In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 3 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 55% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scrapes throughout the metal. There is wear throughout the receiver, with light pitting along the sides and on the underside below the stock line. The screw heads show moderate use. The finish on the gas tube is heavily worn. There is a patina on the stacking hook and sling loops. Pitting is present on the front and middle barrel bands. 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 Springfield Armory M1 Garand was originally made in January, 1942. According to the CMP, it saw service with Greece after the Second World War. The marked parts are all Springfield Armory, which is fairly uncommon. The stock has a fair amount of wear, with a crack in the front upper handguard that has been repaired with four pins and two small cracks on the underside of the stock. The metal retains some of its finish, with wear throughout. The bore is dark with shallow rifling and heavy erosion. The full set of Springfield Armory parts would make this an interesting addition to any U.S., Greek, or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.

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