Make: International Harvester Co., IHC

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 4574736

Year of Manufacture: Receiver made 1952-1953, LMR Barrel made February 1955, Sent to Red River Army Depot February 1966

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, En Bloc Clip Fed

Markings: 

Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER / 4574736”

Trigger Group: “IHC D6528290”

Hammer: “C-5546008 IHC”

Follower: “13”

Safety: “IHC” 

Receiver Leg: “D6528291-J” the receiver leg is also marked “RRAD 2-66”, “T”, and “H-T”. 

Op Rod: “D-6535382 IHC” 

Bolt: “D6528287 IHC / A”

Barrel: “K LMR D6535448 2 55 A40 P M H” with a DOD Eagle cartouche. The last P has a punch mark in the P. This is a Line Material Co barrel.

The front of the gas plug is marked “NHC IHC”

The windage knob is marked “DRC”, “IHC” and “LEFT” in two places with two counter clockwise arrows.

The elevation knob is marked “WC-E” and 2-12 in increments of 2. 

The inside of the stock is marked “1815”. The left flank of the stock has a DOD cartouche. The grip is marked with a circle “P” acceptance stamp. 

Barrel Length: Approximately 24 Inches

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 buttplate with hinged metal door for storage in the buttstock. This stock has been very lightly sanded and refinished. The stock shows scattered lines, and compressions with no visible cracks in the stock. The belly of the stock just in front of the bottom metal shows a small chip that has been filled in with oil. There is a notable compression on the right side belly of the stock just in front of the trigger guard. The handguards show similar wear with no chips or cracks. The forward handguard is slightly loose fitting. The metal buttplate has lost most of its finish and shows scratches around the edges with semi dull checkering and some minor surface rust. The door has a strong spring and shows semi-sharp checkering. There is some minor surface rust developing in the checkering and in the spring latch recess. Overall this stock set is in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original and Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright with well defined rifling. There is very minor erosion / pitting throughout the bore. According to our gauges the muzzle reads at a 1+ and the throat at a 1. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The top of the barrel shows finish thinning as do the edges of the trigger guard. The bolt shows only minor rub wear on the friction surfaces. The bolt and receiver have been refinished. The bottom metal for the trigger group is beginning to show brown spots from age. The markings are clear except the Red River electro pencil mark which had been finished over. The screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good to 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: This rifle includes a green canvas sling.

Our Assessment: This International Harvester (IHC) M1 Garand with a "Postage Stamp" style receiver is a sought-after variation of the iconic U.S. service rifle. Manufactured between 1952 and 1953, IHC-produced Garands are notable for their unique production history. IHC was one of only four manufacturers of the M1 Garand, producing rifles under government contracts to meet military needs during the Korean War and the post-war period. The "Postage Stamp" designation refers to the distinct appearance of the receiver's marking, which resembles a postage stamp due to its boxed-in style.

This specific rifle features an LMR (Line Material Company) barrel dated February 1955, which is correct for many IHC Garands. LMR barrels were highly regarded for their quality and accuracy, and IHC frequently used them in their production. The receiver leg is marked "RRAD 2-66," indicating that this rifle underwent an arsenal rebuild at Red River Army Depot in February 1966. Such rebuilds were common during the Cold War to ensure that rifles in military service remained functional and up-to-date. Despite the rebuild, this rifle retains all IHC-correct parts, a rare and desirable feature for collectors. These parts include the IHC-marked trigger group, bolt, and operating rod, reflecting the rifle's authenticity and adherence to its original configuration.

The combination of a Postage Stamp receiver, high-quality LMR barrel, and correct IHC parts make this rifle a prime example of an International Harvester M1 Garand. Its history, spanning initial production during the Korean War era to a Cold War-era rebuild, provides a rich narrative of military use and maintenance. For collectors and enthusiasts, this rifle represents a tangible piece of American military history, cherished for its distinctiveness among M1 Garand variants.