Q&A Session About Garand Rifle Enigmas
The rifle in question, No. 3575437, carries a rich history. Produced by Springfield Armory in early 1945, this M1 Garand was part of the 38,000 rifles conveyed to Britain in 1941, as indicated by British proofmarks.
The rifle, with the drawing number and its revision, D35448-7 REP 36B, on the barrel, translates to November 1941. This suggests that the rifle was manufactured around this time and was later shipped to England as part of the Lend-Lease programme.
Upon closer inspection, the presence of epoxy bedding on the rifle indicates that it has been 'accurized' for competitive match use. This enhancement was likely made post-military service, as suggested by the specialized aperture affixed to the rear sight of the rifle, designed for competitive match shooting.
The rifle was converted to the 7.62 NATO round, but its .308 barrel/sleeve does not indicate 'NATO 7.62' like other U.S. Navy M1 models. The conversion may have involved the replacement of its T105E1 rear sight and other components. However, the rifle's accuracy following the conversion may be less than ideal due to the additional free bore provided by the bushing.
The refurbishment in 1952 may have included the replacement of the T105E1 rear sight and the birch stock. Additionally, the forged trigger guard may have been replaced with an improved stamping during this refurbishment.
The designation 'SA-52' on a rifle near the rear target plate typically refers to the model name or type of the firearm. It identifies the specific make or version of the weapon, commonly used in German or Swiss small arms nomenclature.
It's worth noting that the retention of a chamber bushing in the rifle is usually suspect and may result in its extraction and ejection with a fired round. This could potentially be a concern for anyone using this refurbished M1 Garand.
Despite the lack of clear markings indicating the origins or history of the rifle, its presence serves as a testament to the significance of the Lend-Lease programme during World War II and the enduring appeal of the M1 Garand among collectors and shooters today.
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