What are these markings on my bolt and receiver?

[ManFromOz]

Dear Forum,

I recently acquired my first 1942 M1 Springfield and noticed these micro marks on my bolt and receiver. Can anybody explain why this would have been done? Thank you very much in advance for any insights you can give me.

Best, Dale “ManFromOz”

[TJT]

LEAD 12-65. Rifle rebuilt at Letterkenny Army Depot in December of 1965. Do the numbers electro penciled on the bolt match the last 4 didits of your serial number?
When LEAD rebuilt their rifles they put an orange triangle stamp on the bottom of the pistol grip. Does your rifle have that stamp? It adds significantly to the over all worth of the rifle if it's there. LEAD's are highly sought after.
Jon

[ManFromOz]

Thank you John. I purchased another bolt for the gun thinking the marking defaced the gun. I will look.

[ManFromOz]

Sorry, Jon not John.

[TJT]

If/when you change the bolt, make sure to have the head space checked. The rifle won't necessarily be injured if it's out of spec, but it will be a detriment to the life of the brass if you reload.
Jon

[ManFromOz]

Thank you sir for the advice.

[ManFromOz]

Jon, This is what is on the bottom of the grip. What you see is ... I think.... is an “80” inside a triangle and a “P” just before the pistol grip. The stock is also marked with a “24” in colored paint.

No, the last 4 digits of the SN did not match.

Thank you again for any input/insight into this particular Garand.

Regards, Dale

[TJT]

Dale,
That's the stamp I referenced--the orange triangle. That's probably the stock that was mated to that rifle upon its rebuild which also means there's a high probability that the rifle is in the exact same configuration as when it left LEAD after its rebuild.That's kind of a rarity in itself. Most of those rifles were "corrected" by collectors after the fact by swapping parts around until it has what it would've had upon leaving the arsenal when it was first assembled.
You have a real prize there. Shoot it and enjoy it for what it is, but take care to not deface what's left of the orange ink stamp. You don't have to treat it with kidd gloves, just be careful with it. That stamp "makes" it.
Congrats on your find. A LOT of guys here would be green with envy.
Let us know how she shoots. And after action range reports and pictures are always welcome. We all love porn here.
Jon

[ManFromOz]

Jon, thank you for your time. How do I take care to not impact the orange ink stamp? Believe me, I had no prior knowledge of this prior to the purchase of the gun on Proxibid here in KS. As a young man, I shot an M1 that belonged to my Godfather. It was a rush! I grew up with Winchesters and have only "loaded up" with the black guns over the past 12 years with several precision calibers along the way. As I have gotten older, I don't hunt big game anymore (I don't care for eating venison). I prefer shooting steel targets and varmints/prairie dogs. FYI, my first cousin was the lead design engineer for the updated Whittington Center building in Raton, NM for the NRA. Sorry for the ramble. Please holler if you are ever in the Manhattan, KS area. I'd love to take you out for a good KS steak. Dale

[TJT]

Dale,
Just handle that area of the stock as little as possible and be careful setting it down any where. I wish I could tell you some thing like "put a piece of clear tape over it" or "coat it with clear nail polishn or varnish", but I can't do that. The tape would probably pull some of it off if it was removed and covering it with nail polish or varnish could possibly make it illegible or soak it into the wood or just turn into an orange smear. The best I can say is just be cautious with it. Shoot it and enjoy your new toy.
Jon

[ManFromOz]

Jon.... one more comment on the bolt. Your question about the stenciled 4 digits matching up to the SN of the rifle. It is a WRA bolt and that was one of the reasons I purchased another SA bolt to pair up with the SA rifle. I will be sure to keep the original bolt with the rifle.