My Lend Lease M1 Garand 434,XXX has four holes drilled and filled-in on the left side of the receiver, presumably for a scope mount. I bought the M1 this way many years ago. I read on another forum in 2006 that this condition has been observed on other Lend Lease M1s. It was presumed the modification occurred before re-importing to US. Has anyone else observed this, or heard any facts about this? I guess my curiosity in my old age is getting to me. The mod has not affected the function or performance of the weapon as I have shot it many, many times in Garand matches. Thanks for any help or info.
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That is a receiver that someone drilled for a scope mount then welded holes back in . Not arsenal work but civilian -
Thanks. How would that affect value?Comment
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You should post some photos of your Lend Lease rifle, specifically the cartouche area, rear sight assembly and internal parts. Also show the British proof markings on the barrel and show any areas that might still have any red paint. Collector interest in your rifle with the holes in the receiver would only be for parts or wood as there are a few incomplete Lend Lease rifles around that would require key parts to restore. You could look for a Lend Lease rifle that is incomplete (there was one on the for sale section of the CMP forum not long ago).Comment
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As RCS stated please post photos of your rifle. Post photos of the right side of receiver, op rod, gas cylinder, trigger group and of course those areas RCS requested.Comment
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I have a data sheet that I completed many years ago after reading Scott Duffs books and others. The stock is definitely after market, although very nice looking but with bogus cartouches. I will have to take complete photos as the ones I took back when I disassembled the rifle for data documentation must be on an old computer some where. The CMP guys at the National Matches at Camp Perry told me in 2007 the muzzle was 1.0 and the throat 4. I haven't shot it since then as I switched to NRA service rifle competition and then on to F Class, where I hold a High Master Classification. I am a member of the Michigan F/TR Rifle Team. Tony Pucci told me I should retire the M1 and make it a wall hanger (after I had one of the guys on the GCA straighten the op rod for me). I had about 2,500 rounds through it. All good stuff that I bought from the CMP and Orion 7. Here's the data sheet for a start, plus a couple photos. Thanks.Comment
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I have also fired thousands of rounds in M1 rifles with round firing pins, the manuals stated to replace the round firing pin but never said why it should be replaced, do not recall any warnings from the NRA either. I really doubt any shooters changed them, they did get changed when restorations got started.
It looks like your Lend Lease rifle became a parts donor for a restoration, early collectors wanted a non Lend Lease rifle from the same time period (second half of '41 to early '42) "without" any British proofs or other indication of having been a Lend Lease rifle. One such example that I have seen is SA 296278, once on the cover of an early WW2 M1 book but later sold to a US Martial collector who in
turn purchased a really nice Lend Lease rifle and switched the parts (except for the receiver, barrel, bolt and gas cylinder) the remains were assembled and sold as a Lend Lease rifle.
Other Lend Lease rifles had recoil pads installed or were sanded down to remove the markings but a lot were robbed of their nice SA GHS stocks and flush nut rear sights to go into restorations. I had two friends that worked at Klein's Sporting Goods during the Lend Lease M1 period and the rifles were sold as they were received without any attempted to install scopes. Some Carcano's got the cheap scopes but not the M1 rifles. During the Lend lease period there were other M1 rifle available like the HRA and IHC from Kleins, condition was not as nice.
It would take a lot of money to find a nice SA GHS stock and anywhere from $450 up to find the correct rear sight partsComment
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I'm not interested in making it correct. With the info you and others have provided, I now plan on selling it to get the most for the correct parts that another collector/builder may need to do a restoration. I will take pics of all the major parts as you suggested and go from there. Thanks for your help. Garand guys are always helpful guys and I do appreciate your input.
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There are two reasons, round pins were prone to breaking and possible slam fire.Originally posted by RCS View Post
The main reason for the change is round pins were prone to carbon, contaminates build up, causing the bolt to stick and break so half rd pin was used to give contaminates a place to go.
The second reason is the lighter half rd pin was less likely to slam fire
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Out of curiosity, why would you sell it? It sounds like its a perfectly solid rifle that shoots fairly well. It seems to have the original barrel based on the SA marking.The thief may possess something he stole, but he does not own it.
The owner has a right to take his property back from the thief.Comment
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It is a good gun that I don't shoot anymore. I am downsizing and concentrating on F Class TR competition, which is quite expensive for me. It could be a donor rifle for someone completing a Lend Lease build. I need to get the pics done. Times have been very busy for me and I'm not a spring chicken anymore but I hope to do that soon (after deer hunting). As you can see from the data sheet there are a lot of correct parts which individually command pretty good money. I just have to get the pics and word out thru various forums and outlets. Thanks for your comments. This was my first military gun and I do like it a lot.Comment
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You'll get seller's remorse if/when you sell it. Ask me how I know.
JonComment
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How do u know?Comment
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