M1 Garand National Match, I need an expert
I have a M1 Garand National Match (.308 cal). Many questions regarding the various markings on the barrel, stock, reciever, etc.... I know much of the history. I believe it is all original, uncut springfield receiver, etc....This was handed down from my father who purchased it many many years ago. I remember this weapon from when I was a young boy over 40 years ago. I recall my father telling me how rare this particular weapon is due to its condition and how most people wont know the difference between this on and the more common ones. I am trying to establish a history with this particular weapon, possibly a value for insurance reasons, as I am not selling it. This will be handed down to my son. I need a real historian who really knows everything about this weapon, all the markings on the stock, barrel, reciever, etc.... I can post or send photos later. All help would be greatly appreciated. I also have a M1 carbine of the same era that I am trying to associate. Thanks to all. Ron
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Welcome to the forum. I know a little bit about M1 rifles, & we have several other forum members that know quite a bit, so it would be best if you posted photos. (Save the carbine for a later post.) Instructions for posting photos can be found in a sticky near the top of the first page of this forum. Since we are limited to 10 posts per topic, you can increase the responses by editing your original post by clicking on the EDIT button (icon of a pencil & pad).
The official "history" of a specific M1 rifle can usually be determined from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship, a quasi-government agency www.odcmp.com . Get the appropriate email address from their website; if they information about your rifle (based on serial number), you can order an official letter from them for about $5.
All I can tell you at this point is that all genuine M1 NM rifles were built &/or rebuilt between 1953 & 1963. And, all were built in .30-06. The government DID do some 7.62mm conversions of M1 rifles, but none were every chambered in .308. So, please post some photos & we will see if we can figure out what you have. If you have any paperwork for your rifle, that would be a big help.
Neal
EDIT: You don't quite have the hang of posting photos, but I was able to see them. The serial number dates your receiver to October 1943, but it has been rebuilt & most/all parts are replacements. The barrel markings tell us it was made by Springfield Armory for a 1964 contract with the Navy to convert up to 30,000 M1 rifles to 7.62 mm NATO. Assembled rifles were classified as "US Navy M1 Rifle, Mark 2 Model 1"; they had a plastic space attached to the bullet guide to keep the shooter from attempting to fire .30-06 rounds, & sights were standard. Many of these rifles were awarded as shooting trophies; without documentation (paperwork, tag, box), we don't know if yours is one of these rifles, or if it is just a standard "service grade" rifle to which someone has added the 7.62 mm barrel, NM sights & NM operating rod. In any case, your rifle would probably sell in the $600-800 range.0 -
The term "National Match" originally described match grade weapons made by Springfield Armory, the U. S. Govt. facility. It is unfortunate that commercial manufacturers have named some of their better models "National Match". This does nothing but cause confusion as their products lack the "collector's item" appeal of the original SA products. Some good closeup photos of the sights, barrel markings that can be seen on the side with the operating rod locked back, receiver markings and any parts with the NM stamp on them will be helpful. Of course the complete serial number will be important in identifying what you have. 0 -
Here are some pics. One pick not posted is the " NM " Stamp (you know where you pull back to load the weapon?) Sorry, I don't know the correct name for the part. I hope this gives you all a bit more insight and hopefully you all can give me a history lesson 0 -
[img]http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9559/m1garand013.jpg http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/8924/m1garand012.jpg http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2010/m1garand011copy.jpg http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8986/m1garand010copy.jpg http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/6051/m1garand009copy.jpg http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3784/m1garand007.jpg http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/7237/m1garand005.jpg http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/3108/m1garand004.jpg http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/9659/m1garand003.jpg http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/9081/m1garand002.jpg http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/830/m1garand001.jpg http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8348/m1garand006.jpg[/img] 0 -
Has the stock been glass bedded? All NM M1s produced after 1959 used post war receivers and yours is mid WWII so it would have to have been built earlier than 1959. The problem is that not only does it not match up with the established rifles produced during that time period, it is in the wrong caliber. There are no .308 US National Match M1s, they are all in .30-06. With the varnish on the wood and .308 caliber it looks more like a Navy Trophy rifle to me, but the stock and barrel markings are not quite right because the drawing number is simply for one of the 30,0000 standard Springfiled .308 replacement barrels that the US Navy ordered in he middle 1960s. That plus the fact that you didn't go out and buy a Navy Trophy M1, you had to win one in a match and that makes them extremely rare. 0 -
I dont know if it is glass bedded. I really dont think so. I guess I need to take it apart to see. At a glance I would have to say no. I guess I should say the cal is 7.62 mm to be correct, not .308 as that is what is stamped on the barrel
The caliber designation is not an issue; we know what you are talking about. To any of you guys chomping at the bit: I do not want to start a fight over the differences between the 7.62X51 NATO cartridge and the .308...We've done that one to death.0 -
The more I look at it the more that I think it was a mixed parts WWII Springfield with a bad barrel that was converted to .308/7.62 using a surplus barrel from the 1960's US Navy contract. National Match sights were then added to the rifle. What does the marking on the operating rod say? That will tell a tale. You will see the markings stamped in this location on the rod: 
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quote:Originally posted by alembic6
I wish I knew how to disassemble this, I will have to look into it further
Go here and scroll down to Springfield M1 Garand: http://stevespages.com/page7b.htm0 -
OK, I have disassembled it. The number on the operating rod is 7790722-RA The stock on the inside is stamped 1952. Also, on the reciver, it is stamped B1 3B <> (represents a diamond) YY and below that is D 28291 30 Also, it is not glass bedded. 0 -
The Number stamped on the receiver is a production number and the 30 at the end would match your rifles serial number range so it is not a welded receiver. The operating rod is a NM rod produced by Remington Arms under contract and were only used in post 1962 NM rifles, all of which should have had high numbered post war serial numbers (over 4 million). I don't think that yours is a real NM rifle, but it does have some nice parts (those 7.62mm barrels are desirable) and presents well so a value of $800 or so would seem to be in line with today's market. 0
![http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8348/m1garand006.jpg[/img]](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8348/m1garand006.jpg[/img]){kind=link}
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