British, Springfield Armory M1 Garand, Lend Lease, Parkerized 24” Export Marked Semi Automatic Rifle, MFD 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR:$1,495
LSB#: 160132WM38
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: M1 Garand
Serial Number: 326551
Year of Manufacture: September, 1941 (page 171 of Joe Poyer’s Book, M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 3rd edition). Barrel Date: 8-41
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, Fed by En Block Clips
Markings: The British export mark on the top of the barrel consists of “crown / BNP” and “.30 2.494 inch / 18 TONS PER square inch”. The gas cylinder lock screw is marked “P” and with a “hexagon”.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / Springfield Armory / 326551”. The underside is marked “32”.
Trigger Group: “D28290-5-SA”- Correct for serial number (page 80 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 3rd edition).
Hammer: “C46008-2-SA”– Correct for serial number (page 90).
Safety: “C46015-6SA” – Correct for serial number (page 96).
Follower: Unmarked – Used for the previous block of serial numbers (page 74).
Receiver Leg: “R”, “E”, “B”, “1”, “4”and “D 28291-9 SA” – Used for the previous block of serial numbers (page 18).
Op Rod: “D35382 3 SA” – Correct for serial number (page 61).
Bolt: “D28287 – 2SA / REP2”- Correct for serial number (page 43).
Barrel: The markings are upside down and read from left to right when upside down. “P”, “S-A 8-41”, “5”, “J” and “4”
The stock is described below.
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. The windage knob is marked “LEFT arrow” twice. The elevation knob is marked from “2-12” in increments of two, “UP arrow”, “DOWN arrow”, “triangle” and ”BATTLE RANGE”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The three piece stock is an oil finished hardwood that has a pistol grip, metal nosecaps, two sling loops, a stacking loop, and a metal buttplate with hinged metal door for storage in the buttstock. There are tools stored in the buttstock. The bottom of the grip is chipped and scratched. The wood shows several scrapes and compression marks. Some are deep and have removed small portions of surface wood. The front handguard is lighter in color and appears to be a replacement. The LOP measures 13 1/8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: We originally called this gun Refinished, but on further inspection, it looks correct. The export mark is over the finish and the barrel date is crisp.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling are deep. There is a small amount of light frosting at the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 1. The throat shows a T.E. of 2.25.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The bottom of the gas tube shows scratches and a small area of thinning. The right side of the receiver shows thinning consistent with cycling. There are other scuffs and handling marks on the metal. The gas tube screw shows use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to 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: The rifle comes with a brush/tool, an extra gas cylinder lock screw and what appears to be the internal threaded section of the gas tube. These are stored in the buttstock. The gas cylinder lock screw is marked “”NHC IHC””. The brush has seen heavy use. The tools are in about Vey Good condition. The rifle also comes with a green nylon sling that shows heavy oxidation on the metal tabs and soiling on the sling. It is in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: Before the US entered WWII, and while remaining “neutral” the US supplied arms to our allies under the Lend Lease Program. US manufactured guns were “lent” to our ally governments for arming allied soldiers, as they were producing at full capacity already and remained under-armed. The US supply of arms was a significant help in the war effort. The Lend Lease program continued until August of 1945. This attractive M1 Garand was made in August of 1941 by Springfield Armory. It uses all Springfield parts and most are of the correct serial number range. It has markings consistent with a Lend Lease M1 Garand. The markings on the side of the barrel are upside down. There is also a British proof and a British export marking on the barrel. This should add nicely to a WWII or M1 Garand collection.
