My new Breda M1

[Oddbawl]

Well, my Breda showed a few days ago, I'm just pulling it apart to have a look now. I'm still suprised at the lack of info on them. Anyhoo, it's a Danish contract ser#105xx. I haven't been able to track down a mfg year, but the barrel is marked B. SID. 64 1955 with a D in a circle following. I have no reason to believe that it's a replacement barrel, every part on it is marked BMB, no other mfg bits at all, kinda leads me to think it's all original. The guy I bought it from understated the condition big time. There isn't even wear marks on the barrel where the op rod runs or on the bolt.
Now, to my point: this is either original or a meticulous rebuild. Does anyone know if there are any rebuild stamps I should be looking for? Anybody have any ser# information on these?
One more thing, let's just say for the sake of argument that somebody was playing with the sight and has lost the elevation zero. How many clicks from bottomed out is the 200yd mark? Oh yeah, it is yds and not meters right?

 

[BadgerDog]

I think I'm experiencing deja vu with this question ....

Without seeing pics, my guess is that yours is not a rebuild .......

You can use this photo montage to compare all correct markings etc.

1955 Danish Military Garand (Mfg by Breda in Italy)
"Unissued... all matching c/w Danish Bayonet, Scabbard and Sling"

(Click PIC to Enlarge)

1955 Danish Military Garand (lots more detailed pics ... click here)http://imageevent.com/badgerdog/frenchservicerifles/1955bredagarandserial7477

Here's the CMP site, more specifically the brief page they have that relates to the Breda DANISH M1 (click here)http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/Danish.htm. There are a few paragraphs that talk of the buying barrels from Italy, as well as starting to make their own in the 1960's.

Regards,
Badger

 

[Hitzy]

Also, if you check under the buttplate, there should be a small stamp that says "SILE" if the stock is original Itallian walnut. When originally manufactured, the Itallians stamped the s/n on the left side of the butt about 1cm from the buttplate running vertically. The Danes re-stamped most of them on the bottom side of the butt forward of the sling swivle.

 

[Oddbawl]

Yeah, similar to my last post with a bit more info now, sorry I'm still a little giddy after getting it. No stamps under the butt plate, the stock is pretty good, the handguards suck. I don't get it because the rifle underneath is pretty well new. 'Spose I can keep my eyes peeled for a minty set to match the steel bits without feeling bad. The finish on this one is amazing compared to the '43 Springfield I had!
Anybody have a source for NM sights?
Man, I love these rifles. I just don't understand the fuss with all these guys and the M14 knock offs. Different strokes I guess...

 

[9mm-Suppository]

When originally manufactured, the Itallians stamped the s/n on the left side of the butt about 1cm from the buttplate running vertically. The Danes re-stamped most of them on the bottom side of the butt forward of the sling swivle.

Thanks for clearing that up, guess the one I have is in a dane stock (but its walnut, did they use walnut?)

Man, I love these rifles. I just don't understand the fuss with all these guys and the M14 knock offs. Different strokes I guess...

Good let them keep buying m14s, the last thing the M1 needs is more potential buyers to drive the price up!!

 

[Hitzy]

Thanks for clearing that up, guess the one I have is in a dane stock (but its walnut, did they use walnut?)
!!

AFAIK, Danes only used beech when they started making stocks. Could be US made....they had 60,000 of them and I'm sure parts got recycled.

 

[C9er]

any news re the rear sight? Is it yds or meters?
Is this right?: when my aperture is at its lowest point the lines meet up between the 2 & 12. I followed the instructions from the CMP site... but am not sure if the lowest number is supposed to be the 2...
Thx

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

Five digit Danish rifle serials are unusual. The Danes bought Breda (BMB and BMR) and Beretta (PB) rifles in the 1950's. The normal find is a four digit rifle. I have seen postings that said there were only 12,500 Italian rifles from each maker. The 1955 date is correct for the contract period. If it was a replacement, it would more likely be a VAR. This was the arsenal in Denmark that was contracted when USGI parts ran down.

The sight is in yards. If there is an M, it is meters and made for the M14. Some sharp person once posted the makers' marks to differentiate M1 from M14.

 

[bearhunter]

I have a BMR mixmaster as well, shoots very well. It is an arsenal rebuild with a Beretta stock that has been restamped just ahead of the rear sling retainer. All of the trigger group is Bertta as well, as is top wood. The onl things left that are original are the bolt (rack number? 8270 stamped not eltropenciled like so many) and the barrel B SID 58 1955. The wood is very good walnut and the metal and bor are excellent. I wonder why so many of the parts were replaced. as the receiver, bolt and bbl look to be original. By the way Doug our receiver numbers are just appx 500 apart. bearhunter