Lend Lease Garand.more pics

sniperelite · Apr 9, 2009

Picked up this one a couple of years ago. At the time M1's were going for stupid money so I figured i'd fix it up and sell it off and make a few bucks. When I started looking at it I realised that it might very well be a Lend Lease rifle. Any thoughts or knowledge on these rifles would be great.But what I really need is some pics of the non-standard calibre markings the brits used on the stocks of the M1's.
Here's some pics but be warned!! Bubba got to it first

Anyways it's a SA with all matching SA parts, made Nov 1941 and still has the orig. barrel.British proof marked aswell but that might not mean anything.

maple_leaf_eh · Apr 9, 2009

The holes down the left side wall suggest it was an M1C, or just the playground of a man with a drill press and a sidemount base. The spacing is wrong for a Griffin & Howe base ...

The top handguard is missing, the front handguard is missing and the rear aperature needs to be replaced. These things are available - budget $200-$300.

What else tells you it is a Lend Lease and not a rifle that passed through British hands?

sniperelite · Apr 9, 2009

Actually the entire stock is missing,that one is after market.That being said the orig stock would be the last piece of the puzzle but its gone so I will never know for sure.
It's said that about 30,000 were sent to the brits.Production date of Nov '41 puts this one near the end of that run.Also having the orig barrel with this serial number is a very good clue.The proof marks mean the least out of all the markings that would help you ID a LL rifle.
As for the holes= bubba. And the rear sight, still trying to work that out.

Boom-Boom · Apr 9, 2009

maple_leaf_eh said:
The holes down the left side wall suggest it was an M1C, or just the playground of a man with a drill press and a sidemount base. The spacing is wrong for a Griffin & Howe base ...

The top handguard is missing, the front handguard is missing and the rear aperature needs to be replaced. These things are available - budget $200-$300.

What else tells you it is a Lend Lease and not a rifle that passed through British hands?

X2!!!!!

Hole spacing is wrong and date of manufacture is wrong as well.

M1C receiver SN starts in 1944 (July-August) @ 3,100,000

Barrel, op rod, bolt and trigger group markings could add to the making of a story here.

Even British markings ( should be pictured...) could indicate a later import to GB and not a LL war time issue.

Still an interesting project. Have fun.

BB

sniperelite · Apr 9, 2009

I don't understand the M1C references here........I never said it was one.If you want more pics of parts let me know which ones.

bearhunter · Apr 9, 2009

That rifle looks like one of the sportered jobs done to several of them back in the early sixties. It wasn't at all uncommon to see a garand MI set up like that. As fo it being an MI C, I doubt it. The only scope mounts available for them at that time was a side mount plate made by weaver and redfield. Bishop used to make the stocks and outfits like Sherwood and Herters would market them

Boom-Boom · Apr 9, 2009

sniperelite said:
I don't understand the M1C references here........I never said it was one.If you want more pics of parts let me know which ones.

All parts pictured here can be of correct vintage for your M1.

You are dating your M1 as 11-41 ( as per barrel dating).

What is the receiver SN ( just mask last 2-3 digits) so as to confirm the whole rifle....

The reference to M1C is coming from the receiver left side being drilled and tapped for scope mount a la G & H.
As somebody else mentioned it is very likely a commercial vintage scope base
(Pachmayr, Williams, Redfield, Weaver, whatever......)

I can tell you for sure that the holes are not compatible with the original G&H base.

Still a very nice piece to put back in honourable condition. She deserves it.

BB

granite · Apr 9, 2009

delete

gone

sniperelite · Apr 9, 2009

serial no.404###, matches barrel date. It want to get her put right which is why I am looking for pics of the british non-standard ammo markings. Usually a red band with ".30" or "/06" painted on this band in white.I'm really looking for the correct colour and sizing of this marking. As for the mount holes I want them filled but welding is not a good option on theses receivers,I'm open to suggestions on how to do this.

joe n · Apr 10, 2009

I've got a Lend Lease, I will have it out in the morning as I am taking it to the Gun Show here this weekend...will take a few pics if it would help.

sniperelite · Apr 10, 2009

joe n said:
I've got a Lend Lease, I will have it out in the morning as I am taking it to the Gun Show here this weekend...will take a few pics if it would help.

Awesome....I'll take as many pics as you can muster!

Hitzy · Apr 10, 2009

Looks like an uncut oprod?

sniperelite · Apr 10, 2009

Hitzy said:
Looks like an uncut oprod?

Yup...thats right. Lets see how many ppl tell me not to use it. :popCorn:

Boom-Boom · Apr 10, 2009

sniperelite said:
Yup...thats right. Lets see how many ppl tell me not to use it.

If you want to collect/display leave as is.

For shooting, simply switch to a modified/cut one and save the orig.

I have a few spares if needed.

BB

sniperelite · Apr 10, 2009

granite said:
I would find a stripped early SA receiver if you can and put the barrel etc onto it. They are around, not as easy to find nowadays but a early rifle is a nice find, even harder to find early barrels. I also think you might have a lock bar site, it looks like the end was cut off and made flat - can you post a pic of the right side of the sites (aperature also definately bubba'd). Stocks show up with the correct cartouche on and off on auction sites. You also need a narrow base gas cylinder as yours is fubar'd as well it appears There was a guy in BC selling a lot of parts on the EE a year or so ago, including early stuff, maybe put a WTB add in the EE and see what happens, or, shoot the thing as is and see how it works. Last option, find a damn good welder and have him tig the holes closed and repark the receiver - it has been done from reading posts in the past.

maple_leaf_eh · Apr 10, 2009

I'd leave the receiver and barrel together, especially if there is a hint that this might be a Lend Lease rifle.

Go through your tap set and figure out which screw Bubba threaded in. If the holes were for a commercial, there will be three threaded and two pins. A trip to the gunsmith's will produce some screws and pin stock. I'd work slotted headless screws in from the inside, showing a flush fitting face on the left. Instead of refinishing the stock er? exposed ends, use some spot blue and Loctite. Stocks and wood are getting harder to find, but without a doubt they are available.

The notch on the rear aperature is Bubba's idea of improving the sight acquisition when swinging onto a deer. Yes it makes a collector grimace, but again not beyond recovery.

sniperelite · Apr 10, 2009

Leaf, I agree.Was talking to a machinist friend last night and we came to the same conclusion.For a stock I was thinking of a Boyds item but we'll see.Bubba's idea of improving the sight acquisition is a joke,I've shot it a couple of times and it's nearly impossible to use.

sunray · Apr 10, 2009

M1 sight apertures aren't terribly hard to find or install. Gunparts lists 'em for $10.45US. Marstar wants $24. They say to call for the front and rear handguards, but they list 'em as in stock.
What is the different colour on the receiver? I'm hoping it isn't a rewelded receiver. Not likely, given the colour of the right side. Bubba took the parkerizing off the back too. The putz. Pity you can't just take it to a metal finishing shop any more. One of the home parkerizing kits will do though.
I recall seeing something, somewhere(another forum likely), about the RAF Regm't using M1's when guarding USAAF operated airfields. 38,000 M1's were sent to Britain, but weren't used much and were returned via Interarmco in the 1960's. The proof marks(BNP etc) don't indicate Lend/Lease rifles though. Just that the rifle was sold out of England.

joe n · Apr 12, 2009

joe n said:
I've got a Lend Lease, I will have it out in the morning as I am taking it to the Gun Show here this weekend...will take a few pics if it would help.

Sorry for the delay, I thought I had these on disc so I had to take a few quick pics. I had been chasing this one for many years before I got her. Thanks for looking, good luck with your project, and please pm me if you need any better pics, I know my photography skills leave alot to be desired