Springfield Armory RARE M1C Garand Sniper Semi Automatic Rifle, CMP Certificate, Lyman Scope, Griffin & Howe Mount, MFD 1945 C&R

SOLD FOR: $4,242

LSB#: 1712065JN02

Make: Springfield Armory

Model: M1C Garand Sniper

Serial Number: 3688454

Year of Manufacture: April, 1945 (page 185 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th Edition). Barrel Date: March, 1952

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Semi Auto, En Block Clip Fed

Markings: There is no visible import mark.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD ARMORY / 3688454”
Trigger Group: “6528290-SA – A Springfield part (page 89 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th edition).
Hammer: “SA D5546008”– A Springfield part (page 97).
Safety: “SA-11” – A Springfield part (page 104).
Follower: unmarked – Used by Springfield and others (page 83).
Receiver Leg: “0 8 2”, “B” and “D528291-35” – Correct for serial number (page 29).
Op Rod: “D35382 6 SA” – A Springfield part (page 72).
Bolt: “D28287 – 19SA / A-10”- A Springfield part (page 52).
Barrel: “S-A-3-52” and with a partial “P” stamping. – A Springfield part (page 64).
The stock, sights and scope assembly are 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 National Match aperture. The right rear sight wing is marked “NM/2A”. The windage knob is marked “LEFT arrow” twice and “NM”. The elevation knob is marked from “2-10” in increments of 2 and “M”. The face of the elevation riser is marked “NM”.

The lower portion of the scope mount is attached to the left side of the receiver by three screws and two pins. The bottom left is marked with the rifle’s serial number “3688454”. The upper portion of the mount mates with the dovetail on the top of the lower portion. The upper portion is secured by two compression levers. Two rings hold the scope to the top portion of the mount. The scope and upper portion of the mount slide forward when the compression levers are flipped. The top of the mount is marked “GRIFFIN & HOWE INC. NEW YORK / PAT. # 1,856,549 MAY 3 1932”. The left side of the commercial Lyman Alaskan scope is marked “THE LYMAN GUN SIGHT CORP. / MADE IN U.S.A. MIDDLRFIELD, CONN. / U.S. PATENT NO. 2078858”, “ALASKAN” and with the Lyman scope serial number (it cannot be viewed as it is under the scope ring). The adjustment knob bases are each marked “ALL-WEATHER”. These markings are consistent with M1C scope markings listed on page 202 of Joe Poyer’s M1 GARAND 1936 to 1957, 6th edition. The top of the eye piece is marked “7575053”.

The 2.5 fixed power scope uses a crosshair reticle. The glass appears clear and the adjustment knobs turn. The rubber eye piece shows scrapes & scratches. The scope tube uses scrapes, small scratches & discoloration from oxidation. The front sun shade slides back & forth. Overall the scope is in about Very Good Plus condition. The scope base assembly & rings show scrapes, discoloration and some pin prick surface erosion. The screw heads show use. Overall the scope base & rings are in about Very Good condition.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The face of the pistol grip is marked with a faded “P” proof. The bottom of the grip is marked “2”.  The three piece stock has a pistol grip, metal nose caps, 2 sling loops, a stacking loop and a metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage in the butt. There are cleaning tools stored in the butt. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Several are deep and have removed small amounts of surface wood. These marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 13 1/4 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: Original to Arsenal Rebuild

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, semi bright at the muzzle. The rifling is deep. There is no erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.2. The throat shows a T.E. of 2.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel, gas tube & trigger guard show various scrapes. The right side of the receiver shows thinning consistent with cycling. The receiver edges show light thinning. The metal shows various other scuffs & handling marks. The screw heads show some use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a Commercial Lyman Alaskan scope and a 2 piece Griffin & Howe mount; see above.

The rifle comes with Certificate of Authenticity and a data sheet from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Both are marked with the rifle’s serial number. The CMP Certificate is marked “M1C Garand”. The data sheet lists the rifle as an “M-1C NATIONAL MATCH”.  The Certificate is in Excellent condition. The data sheet shows light discoloration and is in about Fine condition.

A 4 piece cleaning rod is stored in the butt. It is held in a torn & soiled nylon pouch. The rods show oxidation. There is no loop. Overall the cleaning tools are in about Good condition. The rifle comes with a leather sling marked “US”. It shows scrapes, creasing and some discoloration. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

Our Assessment: This is a Springfield Armory M1C Garand; a Garand Sniper. It is in nice shape with a strong bright bore. This M1C comes with a correct Commercial Lyman Alaskan Scope (there were other M1C scope variations) and the proper Griffin & Howe mount. The rifle has been Arsenal Rebuilt and has a 1952 dated barrel. All of the major components are Springfield Armory parts. This is a Rare rifle that is highly collectible. It has great markings and important CMP paperwork is provided. The CMP Certificate lists the rifle’s serial number and lists the rifle as an “M1C Garand”.

According to our consignor this M1C rifle was built by Master Sergeant Gerald “Hook” Boutin. Master Sergeant Gerald Boutin was involved in sniper training in Vietnam from 1965 to 1971. The consignor also advises that the rifle has been back to the “Old World Craftsmen” at Griffin and Howe where it was fitted with the Lyman Alaskan Scope & Mount per WW II specifications. According to the consignor the Lyman Alaskan Scope has been to Ironsight Inc. and reconditioned (http://www.ironsightinc.com/).

The following is from Master Sergeant Gerald “Ol’ Hook” Joseph Boutin’s obituary posted at http://www.hutchesonsmemorialchapel.com/obits/obituary.php?id=551382: “Hook was retired from the United States Army with thirty years of honorable service. He served in combat in World War II, seeing combat action in the Battle of the Bulge, Belgium, France and Germany, the Korean War and two tours of duty in Viet Nam retiring from the Army in 1974. After his Army retirement he continued his work as a civilian with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit shops continually seeking better improvements on service weapons for competition and sniper weapons platforms. He was instrumental in developing the accurizing techniques for the M1 Garand and the M14 rifle systems for those purposes. He is a double inductee into the United States Army Marksmanship Training Unit Hall of Fame both for his work as an exceptional armorer and for his accomplishments in long range shooting to include international skeet shooting”.

Springfield Armory RARE M1C Garand Sniper Semi Automatic Rifle, CMP Certificate, Lyman Scope, Griffin & Howe Mount, MFD 1945 C&R
Springfield Armory RARE M1C Garand Sniper Semi Automatic Rifle, CMP Certificate, Lyman Scope, Griffin & Howe Mount, MFD 1945 C&R