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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

In addition to participating in IPSC competition, I began to shoot in Service Rifle matches.  I was shooting in four matches a month, practicing with pistol and rifle weekly, and spent my free time cleaning guns and reloading ammo.  Great fun!  I wish I had kept track of how many rounds I fired in both platforms, but I did not.  My best guess is that in the 1980s I was somewhere between 50,000 and 75,000 rounds.  It could have been higher.  I don’t really know for certain, but that is a good guess of the range. While competing in the shooting sports, I also I had become interested in collecting…