Make: Springfield Armory
Model: M1 Garand
Serial Number: 974362
Year of Manufacture: Receiver: November 1942. Barrel Date September 1961
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed
Markings:
Receiver: "U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 974362"
Receiver Leg: "R 3 3 QQ D 28291-17"
Trigger Group: "D28290-12-SA"
Hammer: "C46008-3 SA"
Follower: "12"
Safety: "C46015-9SA"
Op-rod: "D35382 9 SA"
Barrel: "D 6535448 9-61 18", "VAR" with a Danish Crown, "DK" with a Crown, "M", and "KOA".
Bolt: "D28287-2SA J9A"
Gas Plug: "PO"
Front Sight: "PB"
Gas Cylinder: "M"
Barrel Length: 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. The windage knob is marked "LEFT arrow" twice and "DRC". The elevation knob is marked from 2-12 in increments of 2 with "NHC".
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose caps, two sling loops, stacking ring, and a checkered metal butt plate with storage compartment. The LOP measures 13" inches. The stock has been sanded and refinished. The wood shows compressions, lines and scuffs scattered throughout. The forward handguard shows two small chips in the edges. There are no cracks. The metal butt plate has lost its finish. The checkering is mostly sharp and the door spring is strong. Overall the stock set is in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original. The dip line from hardening the receiver is still visible.
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with very well defined rifling. There is no pitting/erosion visible. Our gauges show a muzzle of 0+ and the throat of 0+. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains 80% of its metal finish. The finish shows some thinning throughout. The gas cylinder, cylinder lock, edges of the trigger guard and edges of the receiver have all lost finish. The friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver show some rub wear. The action is smooth. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good+ condition
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: CMP Certificate. The rifle includes a sling.
Our Assessment: This Springfield Armory M1 Garand was originally manufactured in November of 1942, during the critical early years of America's involvement in World War II. As the standard U.S. service rifle throughout World War II and the Korean War, the M1 Garand revolutionized infantry combat by becoming the first semi-automatic battle rifle to be issued as standard equipment by a major military power. Its eight-round en bloc clip and reliable gas-operated action gave American soldiers a substantial advantage in sustained firepower over the bolt-action rifles fielded by many opposing forces. George S. Patton famously referred to the Garand as "the greatest battle implement ever devised," a testament to the rifle's reliability, durability, and effectiveness in combat.
This example has been fitted with a Danish VAR barrel dated September 1961, one of the most desirable replacement barrels encountered on rebuilt Garands. Manufactured by Vaabenarsenalet (VAR) for the Danish military, VAR barrels earned an outstanding reputation for their exceptional machining quality, accuracy, and longevity. Many collectors and shooters consider them to be among the finest replacement barrels ever installed on the M1 Garand. This barrel rates an outstanding 9.75/10 with ME and TE of 0+. The combination of an early November 1942 Springfield receiver and a premium 1961 VAR barrel tells the story of a rifle that continued serving long after World War II, making this an excellent example of the international legacy of America's legendary battle rifle.
