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Early Production (1939) Springfield Armory M1 Garand "Gas Trap" Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:9,500.00 - 14,000.00 USD
Early Production (1939) Springfield Armory M1 Garand  Gas Trap  Rifle
This is an early production "Gas Trap" M1 Garand as manufactured by Springfield Armory, that has been assembled with almost all of the correct early parts, really only lacking the keystone recoil spring. The receiver is serial numbered "7492" and based on the book "The Gas Trap Garand" by Billy Pile, places the production of this rifle in January 1939, of which only 736 were produced that month. It has been correctly arsenal rewelded for the seventh round stoppage problem in accordance with arsenal specification. The parkerized finish on the receiver is a late WWII dark green parkerized finish that probably dates it to 1944-45. The right side of the receiver is marked "D-28291"only with no heat lot marking which is correct. The right side of the barrel has no markings on the side of the barrel, however the top is correctly marked with the D-28286 j-16-b drawing number and heat lot number. It is fitted with the following correct early parts; operating rod: 2nd variation, unmodified, marked D35382-O, Bolt: D28287-1, rear sights, windage knob: open arrows, finely machined edge, marked "LEFT/LEFT", elevation knob: has the slightly larger open arrows, marked "BATTLE/RANGE/ UP/DOWN", rear sight aperture: "B-8868 - 1" (-1 added), rear sight cover: stamped "B8872", (numbers stamped together no space or hyphen), trigger guard, milled: machine marked "C 46025" (with 2 circular rings around the take down hole), trigger housing: marked "D 28290" (with small round hole above the trigger), hammer: machine marked on the side "C-46008-1, trigger: unmarked with traverse hole through the side, safety: scarce early version machine marked "C-46015", follower rod: 1st model, unmarked with round recoil spring, follower: standard WWII versions with short nose and 45 degree tail, operating rod catch assembly or accelerator: marked with the number "0" on the front, follower arm: machine marked on the side "B8869" no spaces, bullet guide: early milled version machine marked, "B-8875", follower arm pin: standard production version with steps, gas trap gas cylinder: 2nd version marked "D-28289-1", gas plug and front sight: both unmarked. Stock and hand guards: rear hand guard: early version without drawing number on the side, correct no relief cut for the operating rod, (now it has been dent by the hand guard) with extended lip on the front ferrule, with early milled band with circumferential groove with fixturing holes, middle barrel band, milled band with circumferential groove no drawing number with lower machine-out areas with solid cross pin, stock: correct early version with the long barrel channel with single digit internal marking, with boxed SA/GHS and large crossed-cannon cartouche on the left side, single circled "P" proof in the grip area, drawing number "D-28293" stamped behind the pistol grip area and the stock ferrule is marked "C-46013-1". It is fitted with the correct solid, NO-Trap butt plate, (the end of the butt stock has the two equal sized well holes and been routed out for the later hinged butt plate) it is fitted with the correct early first variant lower sling swivel screw, marked "B 8881-C" and lower sling swivel marked "B-8889".
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30-06
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: 7492


Very fine with 95% of the arsenal parkerized finish with just some slight wear on the receiver rail, and the rear section of the bolt and top of the bolt lugs. The various other parts all have a similar type and color of parkerized finish and match the overall appearance and condition of the rifle extremely well. (The assembly was done with extreme care!) The stock and hand guards are all in excellent condition with a beautiful early matching dark red-brown color overall with nice sharp cartouches with some pressure dents and handling marks overall. Although this receiver has had the arsenal modifications performed on it, this does not distract from this rifle as it retains all the various early parts that are just impossible to find today. As these rifles are virtually impossible to find today in original condition, this example would certainly be the center piece of any high end M1 rifle collection. Provenance: Carl Metz Collection