US WWII Springfield Armory M-1 Garand .30-06 Semi-Auto Rifle, 1943 C&R Rare

SOLD FOR: $923

WOA#: WY240407RW018

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: M-1 Garand

Serial Number: 1429905

Year of Manufacture: Receiver: March 1943. Barrel Date: March 1951.

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Automatic, En Bloc Clip Fed

Markings: There is no import mark.

Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY /  1429905”
Trigger Group: “6528290-SA”
Hammer: “SA C5546008”
Safety: Unmarked
Follower: Unmarked
Follower Rod: “BMB”
Receiver Leg: “S10E”, Diamond, “D28291 17”
Op Rod: “D35382 3 SA”
Barrel: “S-A-3-51”
Bolt: “D28287-19SA / B-16-B”

The stock and sights are described below.

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 stocks are three piece smooth wood with a pistol grip, metal nose caps, stacking loop, two sling loops, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage in the butt (there is nothing in the storage compartments). There is a Danish placard in the barrel channel of the stock (not filled out), the belly is stamped “18367108”. The stocks have scattered nicks and dings, with more in the stock and forward handguard than in the rear handguard. There is some surface cracking on the left of the stock below the bolt catch. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows moderate to heavy wear with scattered oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Finish appears Original to the parts. Not parts-original.

Bore Condition: The grooves are gray, the lands are semi-bright. The rifling is well defined. There is erosion in the bore, mostly in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. in excess of 3.0. The throat shows a T.E. of approximately 3.5. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 45% of its metal finish. There is strong finish in some protected areas and on the op-rod. The exposed portions of the barrel, gas cylinder, trigger group and receiver show finish wear. The gas cylinder lock is mostly worn to white. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. There is red grease in the action. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

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 WW2 with limited issued semi-automatic rifles or developed such rifles during the war, America was the only nation to enter the conflict with its Army issuing autoloading rifles on a large scale. General Patton famously referred to the rifle as “the greatest battle implement ever devised”. Millions were produced during WWII and hundreds of thousands afterward, seeing use through Korea and into Vietnam. Interestingly, while many other weapons and military items would see production contracts let to otherwise non-related companies, during WWII production remained with Springfield Armory and Winchester. It was only after the war that production would be contracted out to another gunmaker, Harrington & Richardson, as well as the agricultural equipment maker, International Harvester.

This Springfield Armory M-1 Garand was made back in 1943. Since WWII, it has received a 1951 vintage barrel and some other parts such as an Italian follower rod and a Danish stock. The rifle shows wear consistent with its age and service, retaining strong mechanics. The Garand is perhaps the most iconic American service rifle, and belongs in any collection in the country. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud