WWII: M1 Rifle

[student of history]

Hi Gents,

Here's one I've had for a little while now. Serial number places it in the late 1942 to early 1943 production range. The rifle features an Earl McFarland (EMcF) cartouched stock, un-cut operating rod, type II lock bar sight and early narrow base gas cylinder with the front sight seal intact. The only discrepancy is a WRA elevation knob that was left in place because the wear characteristics seem to match the rest of the rifle.

P.S. Thank you for the help on this one John!

P.S.S. Sorry to Steve and Andrew in advance for the carpet based pics

- Chris

 

[CanadianAR]

My eyes!! The carpet!

Solid rifle. Looks even better in hand!

 

[purple]

I like the deeply struck s/n on this one. Hulk Hogan must have been in shift at the stamping fixture that day.

 

[live4therut]

I can't believe I missed this thread, what a beauty. I have one not far off in serial number in fact they pretty close to identical right down to the WRA elevation knob. Great rifle I wish there was more rifles of this caliber in Canada, especially if they were for sale

 

[Bird Blaster]

Beauty rifle!!! Really like it.

 

[jbmauser]

It's no byf 44 but I guess it's ok.


Nice one Chris.

 

[Bird Blaster]

Everyone need a few pingie rifles!

 

[LouF]

Nice rifle.Bought mine about 15 years ago for $300.Solid gun,slight wear but was re-barreled by the Belgium arsenal.Shoots one ragged hole groups with my loads!

 

[purple]

I liked the deeply struck s/n on the receiver heel of this rifle. No girlie guy working the stamping machine at Springfield Armory that day.

 

[musketjon]

Early SA elevation knobs had the wide arrows like the Winchesters. It COULD be an early knob and absolutely correct for that rifle. I like the lead dipped heel too. I have an all original 9-42 SA that looks just like yours and has the deep heel stamping too (800,000 s/n range). Unfortunately, mine isn't lead dipped.
Jon

 

[Desert_Fox]

Pfffft!!!

No Light Box?!?!

 

[beltfed]

I liked the deeply struck s/n on the receiver heel of this rifle. No girlie guy working the stamping machine at Springfield Armory that day.

It looks from those two photos that the serial number has been re-struck and the rear of the receiver cleaned up.
Perhaps through arsenal or workshop refurb?

 

[can14]

The SA markings are done in one stamp and the numbers are done in another. So the number dies can be heavier.

 

[purple]

Scott Duff's red book has a pic of a guy (French Cdn name like John Garand) operating the s/n stamping fixture at Springfield Armory. Late war and post WW2 s/n stampings are lighter and can be eroded by blasting for re-parkerizing if you aren't careful.

 

[beltfed]

I'm referring to the colour variation in the parkerizarion at the heal as well.

 

[zuke]

Early SA elevation knobs had the wide arrows like the Winchesters. It COULD be an early knob and absolutely correct for that rifle. I like the lead dipped heel too. I have an all original 9-42 SA that looks just like yours and has the deep heel stamping too (800,000 s/n range). Unfortunately, mine isn't lead dipped.
Jon

What and where is lead dipped?