Make: International Harvester Co., IHC
Model: M1 Garand
Serial Number: 4454877
Year of Manufacture: 1953, 4-53 dated LMR barrel.
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed
Markings:
Receiver: "U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER / 4454877"
Trigger Group: "IHC D6528290"
Hammer: "IHC C46008"
Follower: unmarked
Safety: "IHC"
Receiver Leg: "IHC D6528291-A".
Op Rod: "D6535382 IHC"
Bolt: "D6528287 IHC U"
Barrel: "P LMR D6535448 4 53 A10 P M" and small ordnance wheel.
Gas plug: "NHC IHC"
Gas cylinder: unmarked
Windage knob: "DRC", "IHC" "LEFT" in two places with two counter clockwise arrows.
The elevation knob is marked "IHC" and 2-12.
Stock: Inside "1762", left side small ordnance wheel.
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.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The hardwood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose cap, two sling loops, stacking loop, and a metal butt plate with hinged metal door for storage containing a cleaning kit with metal oiler, plastic grease container and cleaning rod. The LOP measures 13". The wood has been lightly sanded and refinished. The wood shows compressions, surface level lines, and some minor rub marks. There is a small but notable compression on the right side about mid action. There are no chips or cracks. The butt plate retains most of its finish and shows rub wear around the edges. The door spring is stiff. Overall the wood is in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion/pitting in the bore. Our gauges show a muzzle of 0+ and a throat of 1. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver show minor rub wear. The muzzle shows some minor marks. The bayonet lug shows some very minor rub wear. The finish has turned slightly green with age. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall all this rifle is in about Fine+-Excellent 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: Cleaning kit in the stock, cardboard box with packing material, certificate of authenticity from the CMP, and original sales sheet.
Our Assessment: This M1 Garand was manufactured in 1953 by International Harvester Co., one of the rarest and most sought-after producers of the M1 Garand. Best known for agricultural equipment and trucks, International Harvester was contracted during the Korean War era to supplement Garand production, resulting in some of the most collectible M1 rifles ever produced. This example was sold by the Civilian Marksmanship Program in 1999 as a Collector's Grade rifle, one of the highest grades ever offered by the CMP. Collector's Grade rifles are selected for retaining their correct manufacturer-specific parts and original configuration, making them highly desirable as correct examples that escaped rebuild programs become increasingly rare. Today, Collector's Grade rifles are scarce and are generally only encountered through CMP auction sales.
The rifle is fitted with a desirable Line Material Corporation barrel dated April 1953. LMR barrels have long been regarded by collectors and shooters as some of the finest barrels ever installed on M1 Garands, earning a reputation for outstanding quality and accuracy. International Harvester relied heavily on LMR barrels during production, and a correct April 1953 example is exactly what collectors hope to find on a rifle of this vintage. Combining its documented CMP Collector's Grade status, all-IHC component configuration, and correct 4-53 LMR barrel, this rifle represents an exceptionally scarce and highly collectible example of a Korean War-era Garand.
