Make: Winchester

 

 

Model: M1 Garand

 

 

Serial Number: 2466950

 

 

Year of Manufacture: July 1944

 

 

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

 

 

Action Type: Semi Auto, 8 round en bloc clip fed

 

 

Markings: There is no import mark.

 

 

Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / WINCHESTER/ TRADEMARK / 2466950”

 

 

Receiver Bottom: “P”.

 

 

Trigger Group: “D28290-W.R.A.”

 

 

Hammer: “C46008-1 W.R.A.”

 

 

Safety: Blocked except for "-1"

 

 

Trigger Guard: “C46025 W.R.A”

 

 

Follower: unmarked

 

 

Receiver Leg: “D 28291-2

 

 

Op Rod: Slant Cut- “D35382-W.R.A.”

 

 

Follower Rod: Winchester One piece Short fork “A” marked.

 

 

Barrel: “T X 4 WP”

 

 

Bolt: “D28287-1 W.R.A.”

 

 

Stock: left flank “W.R.A. GHD” with an ordnance wheel and the grip with a circle “P”.

 

 

Barrel Length: Approximately 24”

 

 

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a Lock Bar style fully adjustable aperture sight set between two protective wings. The windage knob is marked with “Left” twice and two arrows. The elevation side is marked “UP BATTLE RANGE DOWN” with arrows.

 

 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose caps, stacking loop, double sling loops, and a metal butt plate with hinged door for storage. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The wood shows scattered lines, scratches, and compressions throughout. There is a crack forming at the top of the nose of the rear upper handguard. A chip from the left edge of the stock just behind the clip latch. The butt plate has lost most of its finish and shows rub wear around the edges. The door functions correctly and the spring is strong. Overall the stock set is in Very Good condition.

 

 

Type of Finish: Parkerized

 

 

Finish Originality: Original

 

 

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion or pitting in the bore. Our gauges show a muzzle of 0+ just shy of 1 and a throat erosion of 0+ just shy of 1 as well. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9.8/10.

 

 

Overall Condition: The rifle retains 94% of its metal finish. The finish has turned green with some brown spots from age. There is finish loss from rub wear on the friction surfaces of the bolt and the receiver. The action is smooth. The nose cap of the stock shows some finish loss and some surface rust on the right side. The bottom metal shows the beginning of surface rust freckling forming. The gas cylinder shows a few spots of surface rust freckling. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in about Fine 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 canvas sling, manual, certificate of authenticity, packing sheets, order form, field manual, and paperwork.

 

 

Our Assessment: This Winchester M1 Garand, manufactured in July 1944, is a highly desirable WWII rifle, especially when found with all Winchester parts as in this example. It features a correct slant-cut operating rod, the distinctive Winchester one-piece short fork “A” marked follower rod, and a lock bar rear sight, all appropriate for mid-1944 production. The stock is correctly stamped “WRA” for Winchester Repeating Arms and “GHD” for Guy H. Drewry, the U.S. Ordnance inspector overseeing Winchester’s M1 Garand production. These features reflect Winchester’s unique production characteristics and set this rifle apart as a historically correct example. Winchester was the only private contractor to produce the M1 Garand during WWII, making their rifles especially collectible. A correct, all-Winchester M1 Garand with a bore as clean as this one's represents an important piece of American military history and rare find on today's market.