Make: Winchester

Model: M1 Garand

Serial Number: 1305446

Year of Manufacture: Receiver March 1943

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, en bloc clip fed

Markings:
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / WINCHESTER / TRADE MARK / 1305446”

Bottom of the receiver “PW”
Trigger Group: “D28290-W.R.A.”
Hammer: “C46008-1W.R.A.”
Trigger guard: “C 46025 W.R.A.”

Safety: “SA-11”

The trigger guard is marked “C46025 W.R.A.”
Receiver Leg: “D28291-2”
Op Rod: “D35382 WRA”
Barrel: “23 PW” Winchester barrel.
Bolt: “D28287-1 W.R.A.”.
Gas plug: No visible marking

Cylinder Lock: “M” 

Gas Cylinder “S” , and “M”. with a “W” on the top. 

Stock: The stock is marked with a “P” acceptance mark on the grip. 

Windage knob is marked “LEFT” twice with two arrows and “DRC”. 

Elevation Knob is marked 2-12 in increments of two and “NHC”.

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 wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose cap, stacking loop, two sling loops, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The metal buttplate has been painted and shows heavy scratches around the edges. The checkering is dull and the door functions correctly. The stock has been sanded, reprofiled and refinished. The stock shows lines, compressions and a few gouges scattered throughout. The upper handguards show less wear however the forward handguard shows a repaired crack at about the 11 o’clock position running from the rear spacer. Overall the stock is in Fair + to Good condition

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original and refinished.

Bore Condition: The bore is dull and the rifling is defined. There is moderate erosion throughout the bore. The incomplete CMP tag shows a muzzle of 2 and a throat of 3. Our gauges show a muzzle of 2.5 and a throat of 3. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The trigger guard and gas cylinder show the majority of the finish loss. There is barely any rub wear on the friction surfaces of the receiver and bolt. There is surface rust freckling on the charging handle, barrel , and cylinder lock. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Fair + to Good 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 foam padded cardboard box, inspection tag, certificate of authenticity, manual, thank you card, CMP yellow chamber flag, and En bloc clip.

Our Assessment: The M1 Garand is an iconic semi-automatic rifle that served as the standard U.S. service rifle during World War II and the Korean War. Designed by John C. Garand and officially adopted in 1936, it was the first semi-automatic rifle to be mass-issued to infantry forces. Chambered in .30-06 Springfield and utilizing an 8-round en-bloc clip, the M1 Garand provided American soldiers with a significant advantage in rate of fire over the bolt-action rifles used by other nations. General George S. Patton famously praised it as "the greatest battle implement ever devised," underscoring its impact on the effectiveness of U.S. infantry units.

The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was one of only two primary manufacturers of the M1 Garand during World War II, the other being Springfield Armory. Winchester produced these rifles from 1941 to 1945, and their versions are particularly prized by collectors due to their relative scarcity and historical significance. This Winchester M1 Garand manufactured in March 1943 was produced during a critical period of the war, contributing to the massive armament efforts following the U.S. entry into the conflict.

This example was sold by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) in 2023 as a Rack Grade firearm. Rack Grade rifles from the CMP are functional but exhibit wear and a mix of parts due to repairs and refurbishments over the years. However, this rifle retains nearly all Winchester parts, which is noteworthy. Over time, many M1 Garands underwent arsenal rebuilds where parts were interchanged among rifles from different manufacturers. Finding one with predominantly original Winchester components enhances its value and collectibility. This rifle not only represents a piece of wartime history but also offers a unique opportunity for enthusiasts interested in preserving or restoring vintage military firearms.