M1 Garand
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My Path to Becoming an M1 Garand Collector, Researcher and Author (Part 2/4)
When we last visited this topic, about eight of us were piling into a van and heading to Clairton Sportsmen’s Club to shoot in our first DCM service rifle matches. My part began about six months prior to that, in March 1984 with the purchase of a Springfield Armory Inc. M1A rifle with NM barrel and stock. I befriended my local gun club’s High Power Rifle competitor, former Marine Bill Thomas. Bill had been competing and Camp Perry for many years and was an accomplished rifleman. He began training me in the ways of high power rifle shooting. We shot nearly every Saturday morning. Not knowing what to expect at…
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My Path to Becoming an M1 Garand Collector, Researcher and Author (Part 1/4)
My main interests have long been the study of history, firearms and shooting, and cars. All of these interests began at a young age. For my 10th birthday I received a Daisy BB rifle, no it was not a Red Ryder, so no shooting Black Bart! I could not begin to estimate how many BB’s were fired through hat BB rifle. The spring after I turned 12 my Dad took me out behind Grandpa’s barn and taught me to shot his .22 rifle and .22 revolver. As was common in the early 1960s it was typical plinking at tin cans removed from the burn pile, not shooting at paper bullseyes. …
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Who Made M1 Garands? How Many Were Made? When Were They Made?
World War II Production Springfield Armory The first production M1 was successfully proof fired, function fired, and fired for accuracy on 21 July 1937. Thus began manufacture of what was to become the greatest production effort in the long history of Springfield Armory. A program for developing increased production capacity had been adopted in 1934, and by January of 1940 the Armory was producing 100 rifles per day. By January 1942 this number had risen to 1,103 per day. Production peaked in January 1944 with 122,001 M1s produced that month. This translated to 3,936 rifles per day or 164 rifles per hour! The surrender of Germany in May 1945 slowed…
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The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide
Since the publication of Scott Duff’s The M1 Garand Owner’s Guide, readers have asked for a book that would help guide them through the assembly of their M1 Garand. Ideally, such a book would impart the tips, tricks, pitfalls and “gotchas!” that experienced Garand enthusiasts and armorers have discovered and developed over the years. his is that book. It goes beyond the military manuals in depth and scope, using words and pictures to clearly guide the reader through every operation required to assemble their Garand. You’ll learn the best and easiest ways to build your rifle. It won’t make you an Garand armorer, but it will make you a more…
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The M1 Garand: Post World War II Preface
The purpose of this book is to present accurate information to the collector of the M1 Rifle covering the period from 2 September 1945 through 30 June 1957. The primary subject will be the service grade weapon of this period. The National Match M1, Sniper Rifles, experimental weapons, and the Light Weight Rifle Program will be discussed briefly. The three manufacturers who produced the M1 Rifle during this period, Springfield Armory, International Harvester Co., and Harrington & Richardson Arms Col, are covered. Springfield Armory is discussed in greater depth than the other two as there have been more records persevered by this government installation than by either of the two…
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“The M1 Garand: World War II” Intro
Much has happened in the M1 rifle collecting world since the publication of The M1 Garand of World War II – A Guide for the Collector. Over the course of the past five years a great deal of new information has been complied. The interest of collectors in John Garand’s rifle has increased phenomenally. This is in part due to the overall increase in interest pertaining to World War II. Much attention has been focused on this era as a result of the ongoing tribute to the 50th Anniversary of that war. The Garand Collectors Association (GCA) has grown to levels that those of us involved in 1986 has never…
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My Favorite Garands (Part 2/2)
By Scott Duff A brief examination of the Springfield Garand quickly reveals it to be a rifle that has been carried and fired. Between the throat erosion reading, wear pattern on the left bolt lug, overall wear patterns of reciprocating parts, and the patina of the wood and the minor dings, it is apparent that this rifle did not spend its service life in a rack in an arms room. The presence of three groups of bullet tip dings on the right side of the stock is also a clue of possible combat use. An examination of the Winchester Garand also quickly reveals service use. The bore is dark and…
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My Favorite Garands (Part 1/2)
My Favorite Garands (Part 1 of 2) If you have followed my writings, you know that I advocate a theme to collecting. As an example, my theme for collecting World War II era Springfield Armory M1 rifles is to have one of each year from 1939 through 1945. I also have a theme with my entire US martial arms collection. I collect by war usage: French and Indian War, American Revolution, Seminole Wars, Mexican War, Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and Korean War. I prefer firearms that were most typical of those used by the average soldier, cavalry man, or paratrooper. Nothing…
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What were the origins of the Garand? “Our New Service Rifle (1938)”
Above: John C. Garand shows off the excellent balance of the M1 rifle. Credit: SANHS Our New Service Rifle JOHN CANTIUS GARAND 1888-1974 “A Quiet Genius Who Gave To His Adopted Country ‘The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised’ The M1 Rifle” Above from the inscription on the John C. Garand bust at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site Donated by the Membership of the Garand Collectors Association June 6, 1994 For more than thirty years the Ordnance Department endeavored to obtain a satisfactory semi-automatic or self-loading rifle to replace the bolt action Springfield. These efforts were not confined to development within the Department. Invitations were extended periodically to…
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My Path to Becoming an M1 Garand Collector, Researcher and Author, (Part 4/4)
My Path to Becoming an M1 Garand Collector, Researcher and Author, Part 4 By Scott Duff For most of the 1980s I was employed at the Pittsburgh based headquarters of a major national mechanical contractor that specialized in large industrial and commercial projects. I worked in the law department as a contracts administrator specializing in claims and litigation support. My activities included coordination with outside attorneys, document discovery, claims writing, contract writing, and preparing expert witness testimony. My work experience prepared me for research and writing on the topic of the M1 Garand rifle. Therefore, it seemed logical to me to transfer the results of my research at SANHS and…
