This M1 Garand was built by Springfield Armory, serial 16549xx, and is chambered in .30-06 Springfield. Published Springfield Armory serial number tables place the receiver in June 1943, in the middle of Second World War production. The receiver heel is marked U.S. RIFLE CAL. .30 M1 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY with the serial number. The rifle is mechanically excellent, and the bore is bright with strong rifling. The metal carries an even light gray parkerized finish. The stock carries a P proof on the underside of the grip and appears to have been refinished, with a glossy finish showing handling marks on the forend and butt. A Virginia State Rifle and Revolver Association decal on the right side of the butt suggests the rifle may have been associated with that organization, though no documentation accompanies it. The rifle is offered as it is shown.
The M1 Garand was designed by John Garand at Springfield Armory and standardized on 9 January 1936, becoming the first autoloading rifle adopted as standard issue by the United States and replacing the bolt-action M1903. It fires .30-06 from an eight-round en bloc clip that ejects once the last round is fired. Springfield Armory began machine production in September 1937, and by 1957 some 5.47 million rifles had been made there and by Winchester, International Harvester and Harrington and Richardson. Garands were overhauled repeatedly over long service lives, so the maker and date of the receiver identify the receiver rather than every part fitted to it. By mid-1943 Springfield Armory was turning out tens of thousands of rifles a month, and this receiver comes from that wartime peak.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
Country of origin: United States
Year: 1943 (June 1943 by serial number)
Model: U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 Garand
Action: Gas-operated semi-automatic
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Capacity: 8 rounds, en bloc clip
Serial: 16549xx
Finish: Light gray parkerized
Stock: P proof on grip, appears refinished, dents and handling marks; non-matching darker handguards
Bore: Bright
Rifling: Strong
Mechanical condition: Mechanically excellent
Markings: Springfield Armory receiver heel, Virginia State Rifle and Revolver Association decal on butt
