Help me identify origin / markings on my guns!

[ghostntheshell]

Hey folks. I have never really tried to find out where my guns may have came from.

Recently a bunch of CGNr's helped me out with a corrosive ammo / cleaning question - and that led me to tear down my rifles..

During the tear down of my M1 garand - I found a *really* old peice of waxy looking paper - about 2 inches by one inch. It had what appeared to be some measurements - and a date from 1967. The paper might not mean much - but it really got me thinking about the origins of the rifle. It was an M1 Garand by the way.

SO: I am looking for anyone to point me in the right direction on how to identify my rifles. Here they are as follows:

(1) M1 Garand

Markings:

U.S. RIFLE
CAL .30 M1
WINCHESTER
*WHAT APPEARS TO BE NUMBER - BUT SO SMALL I'D NEED A MAGNIFYING GLASS TO READ THEM - DIRECTLY UNDER WINCHESTER*
2377###

(BARREL)

*SMALL CROWN*
*SMALL CIRCLE WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE "KOA" IN THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE*
8-66 ###
*DISTINCT STAMP OF A CROWN*
V.A.R.

(BOLT)
D28### I.W.R.A.

(BAYONET)
U.C
U. *IMAGE OF A FLAMING BOMB* S


I also have the M1 tool and what appears to be an instruction manual from the US army regarding the M1 dated from the late 60's.

==========================================================

LEE ENFIELD

*IMAGE OF CROWN*
G.R
B.S.A. Co
1918
SHF LE
111 *SMALL STAR*

(BARREL)

K667XX

 

[purple]

The paper you found in the barrel channel of your Garand is most likely a Danish military targetting sticker. Your rifle is an ex-Danish rifle as indicated by the fact that it is fitted with a Danish made VAR barrel. These rifles were supplied to Denmark by the US in the early 1950s and were disposed of in the 1990s, with many imported into both Canada and the US.

The markings which appear under "Winchester" on the receiver are "TRADE MARK". From the s/n the receiver was manufactured in Jan 1944.

The W.R.A on the bolt indicates Winchester manufacture.

Again, the barrel is a Danish made VAR barrel showing yr/month of mfr and various Danish proof/acceptance marks. VAR barrels have an excellent reputation for accuracy, assuming they aren't excessively worn.

Your bayonet was made by Utica Cutlery, a major US bayonet contractor in WW2.

 

[BadgerDog]

LEE ENFIELD

*IMAGE OF CROWN*
G.R
B.S.A. Co
1918
SHF LE
111 *SMALL STAR*

(BARREL)

K667XX

1917 ShtLE (Short Lee-Enfield) No.1 MkIII* (click here)http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=161-1917-ShtLE-(Short-Lee-Enfield)-No.1-MkIII*
(Mfg by BSA - Birmingham Small Arms)

Also, here's a link that will help with official markings. :thup:

It's a site provided by Amatikulu with some good information to bookmark for the future.

Lee Enfield Rifle Markings (click here)http://home.earthlink.net/~smithkaia8/index.html

Regards,
Doug

 

[ghostntheshell]

Awesome stuff! Thanks guys!