CMP Springfield Armory M1 Garand arrived

SC4006 · January 19, 2014, 04:45 PM

Well, I received it on Friday but I haven't had time to take pictures and post them yet so i'm doing that now. It's a SA service grade that I ordered on 11/14, so it was almost exactly two months from ordering it to receiving it, not bad!

I was extremely happy with what I got, I know it's definitely not from the WW2 era but I don't really care. The wood is pretty much exactly what I was hoping for, nice and dark USGI wood, has some dings but it sort of gives it character imo. I believe its walnut? Also, someone correct me if i'm wrong, but it says 3/54 in multiple places including the tag that came on the rifle, does that indicate it was made March 1954? I also think the rifle has ALL Springfield Armory parts, everything that I can see anyways, not sure how you tell what manufacture the stock is.

I got a chance to fire a full clip, and it works great! I can't wait to go out and shoot more than one clip.

Here are some pictures anyways.

SC4006 · January 19, 2014, 04:47 PM

I was also wondering what the "59" meant on the bottom of the stock, if anyone can tell me that would be great. I was also wondering how exactly I can tell if everything is SA manufacture, I don't know everywhere to look.

Kreyzhorse · January 19, 2014, 06:05 PM

I just ordered a Service Grade SA myself. Was looking forward your pictures but for some reason they aren't visible in your post.

SC4006 · January 19, 2014, 06:10 PM

Hm that's odd, I think I may know the problem though. I'll try and get them fixed.

SC4006 · January 19, 2014, 06:45 PM

Ok they should be fixed now.

az_imuth · January 19, 2014, 06:51 PM

The "59" is referred to as a rack number. An easy way to identify one rifle from another when stored in a "rack". Rack numbers were applied in a variety of ways. Some were stenciled on the buttstock, some on the grip cap, etc.

BTW, that's a great looking service grade you received...congrats!

SC4006 · January 19, 2014, 07:14 PM

Quote:

The "59" is referred to as a rack number. An easy way to identify one rifle from another when stored in a "rack". Rack numbers were applied in a variety of ways. Some were stenciled on the buttstock, some on the grip cap, etc.

BTW, that's a great looking service grade you received...congrats!

Cool thanks for the info, I thought maybe it meant the stock was made in 1959 or something, but a rack number makes sense.

Kreyzhorse · January 19, 2014, 07:34 PM

Thanks for updating the pictures. Nice looking gun, a few dings on the stock but the metal loos excellent.

Just curious, you said it isn't WWII but any idea what year it was made.

P5 Guy · January 19, 2014, 07:36 PM

The bolt is earlier that the receiver.
D 28287 SA12 that is the drawing size D drawing number 28287 Spring Field revision 12.
The number below that is the heat treat lot number.
Same goes on the barrel except that is the post war and post repair system for identifying the drawing. 65 or 77 are the latest.
Look at all the parts and you may see different age parts the drawing numbers will tell the time frame they were made.
As you already know the '59' is the barracks rack number.
Most likely the receiver was forged in late 1953. The barrel dates precede the the receiver by a month or three. Scott Duff has a fine set of books on the M1 Rifle available from the CMP. History and the use and care of your new rifle.
Enjoy your M1 Rifle! They are the best!

SC4006 · January 19, 2014, 08:33 PM

Thanks P5 Guy, now I at least know what some of the stamps mean on the bolt and barrel. I kind of expected that not all of the parts were the original ones, I know that's pretty rare. I do like how the non original parts are the same manufacture as the receiver though. I'll check out some of the other numbers on the various parts of the rifle.

and kreyzhorse, I'd go with what P5 guy said as far as the date the receiver was made, i'm no expert on that. I noticed the post WW2 garands are not as well documented as the WW2 era ones, so it's a little more difficult to figure out an exact date it seems.

SHE3PDOG · January 20, 2014, 03:17 AM

That's a good looking gun! I'm so jealous of the wait times I've been seeing lately. Mine took forever and a day. Let us know how it shoots when you get the chance.

1stmar · January 20, 2014, 08:45 AM

Is this the rifle cmp lists for $625?

SHE3PDOG · January 20, 2014, 10:34 AM

Yes. Their grading system allows for quite a wide variety of guns to be classified as service grade. I've seen some pretty pristine ones come from that category that simply had mismatching brands/serial numbers so they couldn't be classified as correct grade.

shafter · January 20, 2014, 05:47 PM

That's a great looking M1. I love the character on the wood. I think I would have been disappointed if mine didn't have at least a few dings and scratches!

This may help with your rifles date of manufacture.

http://fulton-armory.com/faqs/M1G-FAQs/tea/m1serial.htm

SC4006 · January 21, 2014, 02:31 PM

Yeah I tried looking at the Fulton-armory website earlier but unfortunately my M1's 5.3 million serial number is unknown by them since it's a post WW2, thanks for the website anyways. I think I've narrowed it down to 1953 or 1954.

ffs1942 · January 23, 2014, 01:32 AM

I like the pic of the inspector's cartouche. We theorized mine received a new stock, maybe ash, in its 20-30 yr military career and Hatcher's book said all rifles left the factory with a cartouche, which mine lacks. Mine is also a SA service grade, made in 1/43.

January 19, 2014, 04:45 PM	#1
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	CMP Springfield Armory M1 Garand arrived Well, I received it on Friday but I haven't had time to take pictures and post them yet so i'm doing that now. It's a SA service grade that I ordered on 11/14, so it was almost exactly two months from ordering it to receiving it, not bad! I was extremely happy with what I got, I know it's definitely not from the WW2 era but I don't really care. The wood is pretty much exactly what I was hoping for, nice and dark USGI wood, has some dings but it sort of gives it character imo. I believe its walnut? Also, someone correct me if i'm wrong, but it says 3/54 in multiple places including the tag that came on the rifle, does that indicate it was made March 1954? I also think the rifle has ALL Springfield Armory parts, everything that I can see anyways, not sure how you tell what manufacture the stock is. I got a chance to fire a full clip, and it works great! I can't wait to go out and shoot more than one clip. Here are some pictures anyways. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math. Last edited by SC4006; January 19, 2014 at 06:42 PM.

January 19, 2014, 04:47 PM	#2
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	I was also wondering what the "59" meant on the bottom of the stock, if anyone can tell me that would be great. I was also wondering how exactly I can tell if everything is SA manufacture, I don't know everywhere to look. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math. Last edited by SC4006; January 19, 2014 at 06:38 PM.

January 19, 2014, 06:05 PM	#3
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I just ordered a Service Grade SA myself. Was looking forward your pictures but for some reason they aren't visible in your post. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 19, 2014, 06:10 PM	#4
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	Hm that's odd, I think I may know the problem though. I'll try and get them fixed. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math.

January 19, 2014, 06:45 PM	#5
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	Ok they should be fixed now. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math.

January 19, 2014, 06:51 PM	#6
az_imuth Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 306	The "59" is referred to as a rack number. An easy way to identify one rifle from another when stored in a "rack". Rack numbers were applied in a variety of ways. Some were stenciled on the buttstock, some on the grip cap, etc. BTW, that's a great looking service grade you received...congrats!

January 19, 2014, 07:34 PM	#8
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Thanks for updating the pictures. Nice looking gun, a few dings on the stock but the metal loos excellent. Just curious, you said it isn't WWII but any idea what year it was made. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 19, 2014, 07:36 PM	#9
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	The bolt is earlier that the receiver. D 28287 SA12 that is the drawing size D drawing number 28287 Spring Field revision 12. The number below that is the heat treat lot number. Same goes on the barrel except that is the post war and post repair system for identifying the drawing. 65 or 77 are the latest. Look at all the parts and you may see different age parts the drawing numbers will tell the time frame they were made. As you already know the '59' is the barracks rack number. Most likely the receiver was forged in late 1953. The barrel dates precede the the receiver by a month or three. Scott Duff has a fine set of books on the M1 Rifle available from the CMP. History and the use and care of your new rifle. Enjoy your M1 Rifle! They are the best! Last edited by P5 Guy; January 19, 2014 at 07:42 PM.

January 19, 2014, 08:33 PM	#10
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	Thanks P5 Guy, now I at least know what some of the stamps mean on the bolt and barrel. I kind of expected that not all of the parts were the original ones, I know that's pretty rare. I do like how the non original parts are the same manufacture as the receiver though. I'll check out some of the other numbers on the various parts of the rifle. and kreyzhorse, I'd go with what P5 guy said as far as the date the receiver was made, i'm no expert on that. I noticed the post WW2 garands are not as well documented as the WW2 era ones, so it's a little more difficult to figure out an exact date it seems. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math.

January 20, 2014, 03:17 AM	#11
SHE3PDOG Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 988	That's a good looking gun! I'm so jealous of the wait times I've been seeing lately. Mine took forever and a day. Let us know how it shoots when you get the chance. __________________ Semper Fi Marine, NRA member, SAF Defender's Club member, and constitutionally protected keeper and bearer of firearms

January 20, 2014, 08:45 AM	#12
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Is this the rifle cmp lists for $625?

January 20, 2014, 10:34 AM	#13
SHE3PDOG Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 988	Yes. Their grading system allows for quite a wide variety of guns to be classified as service grade. I've seen some pretty pristine ones come from that category that simply had mismatching brands/serial numbers so they couldn't be classified as correct grade. __________________ Semper Fi Marine, NRA member, SAF Defender's Club member, and constitutionally protected keeper and bearer of firearms

January 20, 2014, 05:47 PM	#14
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	That's a great looking M1. I love the character on the wood. I think I would have been disappointed if mine didn't have at least a few dings and scratches! This may help with your rifles date of manufacture. http://fulton-armory.com/faqs/M1G-FAQs/tea/m1serial.htm

January 21, 2014, 02:31 PM	#15
SC4006 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 525	Yeah I tried looking at the Fulton-armory website earlier but unfortunately my M1's 5.3 million serial number is unknown by them since it's a post WW2, thanks for the website anyways. I think I've narrowed it down to 1953 or 1954. __________________ I don't always go to the range, but when I do, I prefer dosAKs. They say 5 out of 4 people are bad at math.

January 23, 2014, 01:32 AM	#16
ffs1942 Member Join Date: December 14, 2010 Posts: 79	Great Pic! I like the pic of the inspector's cartouche. We theorized mine received a new stock, maybe ash, in its 20-30 yr military career and Hatcher's book said all rifles left the factory with a cartouche, which mine lacks. Mine is also a SA service grade, made in 1/43.