Make: Springfield Armory
Model: M1D Garand (Sniper). This rifle was purchased through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).
Serial Number: 2146922
Year of Manufacture: Receiver dates to November 1943. Barrel is dated August 1952. Cheekpiece is dated January 1952.
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, En Block Clip Fed
Markings: There is no import mark.
Receiver: “U.S. RIFLE / CAL. .30 M1 / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 2146922”.
Trigger Group: “D28290-12-SA”
Hammer: “C46008-5 SA”
Safety: “C46015-9SA”
Follower: Unmarked
Receiver Leg: “D28291-30”. Correct for the rifle’s serial number.
Op Rod: “D35382 W.R.A.”
Bolt: “6528287-SA / USI”
Barrel: “-D7312555 A174A-” on the top and “S A 8 52” on the right side. Correct drawing number (“D7312555”) and location for a Springfield Armory M1D barrel of this date.
The stocks, sights, and scope assembly are described below.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture set between protective wings. The M84 scope attaches to the rifle with a two piece hinged mount. The mount has an included screw with an oversized head that mates with the base installed on the barrel. The scope is an M84 2.2 power that uses a thin post & horizontal line reticle. The scope has a sliding sunshade on the front of the tube and a rubber eyepiece on the rear. It has two adjustment knobs under metal flip caps that turn. The scope is marked “TELESCOPE / M84 / SERIAL NO. 31517” on the side plate. The view is clear. The scope assembly shows light handling marks. The rubber eyepiece shows small surface cracks.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The face of the grip is marked with a faded “circled P” proof. The leather cheek piece is marked “MRT / 1 52”.
The stocks are three-piece smooth walnut with a pistol grip, metal nose caps, stacking loop, two sling loops, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage in the butt. The wood shows small compression and handling marks. The LOP measures 13 ⅛” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to CMP Rebuild
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are semi-bright. The rifling is deep. There is fouling in the grooves that should clean up some. There is light erosion in the grooves near the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.5. The throat shows a T.E. of 2. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates an 8.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The receiver and receiver legs have cleaned surface erosion showing through the new finish. The metal shows scuffs and a few small scrapes. The gas tube shows a few small scratches and small dents. The charging handle shows light thinning. The action shows some light operational wear. Most of the markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle has an M84 scope assembly installed, an M2 flash hider included (the flash hider is marked “HIDER FLASH M2 / THE HART MFG. CO.”), a beautiful “MRT / 1 52” (Mildew Resistant Treatment, January 1952) marked brown leather sniper cheek piece laced around the buttstock, and an OD canvas sling attached. The rifle also comes with a Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invoice and a purchase request letter from a previous owner to the CMP.
Our Assessment: The dogfaced, ground pounding US Army infantryman of WW2 had at least one significant advantage over his German or Japanese adversary, his rifle. The semi-automatic M-1 Garand was a generation ahead of the bolt action K-98 or Arisaka, and gave US ground troops the opportunity to establish fire superiority, a vital part of American infantry tactics during the war. This Springfield Armory M-1 Garand was originally produced in November 1943, and it was later arsenal converted to an M1D Sniper Rifle. The Springfield Armory M1D barrel is properly marked with the correct drawing number on the top corresponding to an August 1952 date on the right side. The rifle was purchased through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) in 1997, and the included CMP paperwork confirms that it left their organization as an M1D Sniper Rifle, and is thus not an after-market conversion. It’s in Fine condition, chambered in .30-06, and features a 24” barrel, 97% of its crisp, original (to CMP rebuild) parkerized finish, gorgeous three-piece smooth walnut stocks, an M84 scope with a clear view, an M2 flash hider that can be installed, a beautiful “MRT / 1 52” marked brown leather cheek piece, strong mechanics, and a semi-bright bore with deep rifling. This is a wonderful example of a well documented CMP M1D Garand Sniper Rifle.
The following information regarding the M1D is courtesy of the highly respected author of several books pertaining to the M-1 Garand, Scott Duff. “As all M1D rifles were rebuilt rifles, the receiver may be of any manufacture and of any serial number produced prior to the date of the rebuild. The same applies to the individual components, any part made prior to the date of the rebuild is correct. All M1D barrels were made by Springfield Armory. The earliest observed M1D barrel is dated 5-51. M1D barrels have been counterfeited and merit careful examination. Nearly all M1D barrels were stamped with drawing number D7312555. M1D barrels manufactured through the autumn of 1952 had the drawing number stamped on the top, underneath the rear hand guard. M1D barrels manufactured after the autumn of 1952 had the drawing number stamped on the right side, adjacent to the date. The total number of service grade rifles converted by the military to M1D configuration is unknown. However, it’s certain that well over 10,000 were converted, as no less than 5,000 M1Ds were sold or given to foreign nations, and in 1993 and 1994, over 6,000 M1D rifles were deemed obsolete and destroyed under orders from the Secretary of the Army. Beginning in 1995, M1D rifles were sold by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM), the forerunner to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) to qualified individuals.”
RIFLE