another variation of the rear handguard band

[RCS]

Here is a photo of another variation of the early grooved rear handguard band with the non serif -l

there are the B-8870-1 and the B 8870-1

my original photo would not download but these old photos should provide the difference

[Jersey Devil]

That's very interesting. I wonder if the non-serif numbered band could be traced back to WRA since they didn't use the serif on the "l" in their early safety. Is that possible?

[Gastrapsforme]

Robert, have you seen these differences in any of the earlier D- versions? My examples are all no dash versions. If we don't find any D- ones it might be a hand added -1. The 2 I have look almost hand stamped. Then when the whole stamp was made maybe they went back to a seriffed 1. Kind of like early -1 hammer

[RCS]

Kevin, Billy Pyle's book "The Gas trap Garand" has some photos of the D-8870-1 on page 172. The B 8870-1 and B 8870-l are later and as the book states, could run into the 28K serial number range.

The numbered handguards were gone by the 21K range. Few advanced collectors have seen the B 8870-l without the serifs on the one and this could be a very late numbered band ?

[Gastrapsforme]

Robert, thank you for more information. Like I was saying I just happen to have 2 of the -I type. Both appear to have the -I almost hand added. Whether that would lead it to be earlier or later. That will be left till when we find an original with one then we could pin it down a little better. It would be a very interesting note to take when examining rifle.

[Jersey Devil]

These are the only two that I have in my collection as of now.