WTF - M1 Garand with barrel welded to receiver...

1feral1

1feral1

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Well, bought another M1 at a local show. A nice 1955 vintage H&R, all parts correct, Smithsonian class, a real bewdy, mint more, all original finish, great wood with great cartouches. Gave it the once over at the show with a field strip and borelight inspection.

I've owned M1's over the past 40 years, know 'em well... or so I thought.

Got it home for a detailed strip and clean, and removed the top handguard to find a 20mm weld joining the barrel to the receiver.

ALARMMMM!

Anyways after researching, these are apparently VFW/Legion Post rifles used from drill/ceremonial duties, where the rifles were 'de-ac' so they could not fire live rds. The bolt was also tack welded closed. So someone did a good job removed the weld that held the bolt (I could not tell, only with a bright light can you see where the weld was). Someone then replaced the bolt with a correct H&R one. who knows about headspace. The barrel weld was to confirm the the rifle could not be parted out.

As much as some say they can be fired, I would not, plus it pretty much crashes the entire collector value.

Contacted the dealer, and there's no problem exchanging it for another one (which I will tightly scrutinize) Friday.

So, buyer beware, for there are many rifles with welded barrels to the receiver out there, at least down here anyways.
 
The Garand drill rifles haven't turned up here much, but its always good to remind people of the risks associated with welding on parts like receivers and bolts where the maintaining the integrity of the original heat treatment is critical for safety.

Lots of folks on here got tuned into this with the recent T2 Garand fiasco which features rifles with welded and ground bolts in addition to other issues.
 
Cottage industry FFL in NH at a show locally last wknd. The rifle came out of a collection in Boston on consignment. Copious amounts of M1 Garands and carbines or various manufacturers. It caught him as off guard as I did, as he too knows his guns also. A good honest dealer who's hobby is his occupation.

The weld was totally hidden under the handguard. This 'mod' done at US Army Depots before the rifle was passed on to ceremonial roles with vet's organizations.
 
r_taylor said:
I seem to recall some cerimonial rifles were also tacked. they were used for funerals and such and only used to fire blanks.
Click to expand...

Yup, some where DP only and un-cockable, some were blank fire only.

Some forums say they're ok to fire, but I ain't going 'thar :).

I am a fitter-armourer by trade. That weld on mine no doubt, sets off my spider senses a-tingling.
 
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