[july1969]

I have recently bought an M1 and would like help determining how original it is.
Here is the information: Winchester serial number 2318364 with numbers on parts as follows:
bolt D28287-1 WRA; Trigger Guard C46025-WR; Hammer C46008-1 WRA; trigger housing D28290-WRA; Receiver D28291-2; Operating rod 7790722-RA and has a WN on it too; Front sight has NM 062 on it. The stock is walnut and only has markings under the butt plate with 1 2 Y on one side and U 3 7 on the other side.

There are no other markings I have been able to find so far.

Can anyone help me out? Also, any recommendation on services where I could take the rifle to evaluate it? I also would like to take it to a gunsmith who knows M1's to check it out before I fire it, any suggestions? I live in Chattanooga, TN. Any help is appreciated as I am new to this.

Tom

 

[stand watie]

july1969,

WELCOME ABOARD.

This site has the largest collection of TRUE EXPERTS on weapons of anyplace on "the worldwidewierd" that I know of.
(Not a lot of worthless BLATHER & UN-knowing opinions but lots of correct answers.)

Somebody will have your answers.
(I could tell you but my "technical ordance" book on Garands is stored over 500 miles from where I'm sitting.)

yours, sw

 

[phantom4570]

Your rifle was manufactured in September 1943. There should be a mark and date on the barrel as well. All of the Winchester Garands were produced during WWII and the vast majority of them were rebuilt after the war was over and rebuilt again after the Korean war was over. Chances are this is a rifle that someone has reassembled with WRA parts. Someone else will be along with the nuances of the drawing numbers on the various parts.

M1 Garand Serial Numbers

 

[stand watie]

phantom4570; july1968,

WELL SAID.

IF you could find a GENUINE Garand that has NOT been rebuilt at some time or other, you would have a MUSEUM PIECE, that would be FAR too valuable to fire.
(at least imVho)

When I was a docent of the MP Museum at Ft Gordon, GA we tried HARD to find a MINT & ORIGINAL "as issued" Garand for display, with NO luck. - The Army's museum system has TWO, both at the ORDANCE MUSEUM.
(One is a GAS TRAP "pre-production prototype" and the other was presented to a plant manager, on his retirement from H&R, but never fired. - I suspect that they are the ONLY two absolutely "as made" & UNFIRED Garands.)

note1: The H&R is GEORGIOUS, as it has the most beautiful stock & handguards that I've ever seen on a rifle. - Obviously, "somebody" spent a lot of time/effort finding matching stock & handguards that have "tiger stripes".
note2: CPT Audie Murphy (late of the TXARNG) had another BEAUTIFUL Garand that was presented to him by the AG of TX after WWII, on his return to CONUS. Murphy HUNTED deer with his & I have no idea who got it after he was killed in an airplane crash. - That is the same Garand that Audie Murphy carried in his autobiographical movie: TO HELL AND BACK.
note3: The Garand on display at the MP Museum, which is now at Ft Leonardwood, MO is a early (below 100,000 serial number) WWII Springfield that was REBUILT at RAAD after Korea & never re-issued. - It looks quite nice.

yours, sw