Garand barrel with “T”

[louis]

I have seen a Garand barrel with a “T” stamp. What is this and who would stamp it? Thank you

[gwp]

I believe the rifle was tested for accuracy during manufacturing. The "T" indicates it was targeted and acceptable.

[louis]

Thank you I’m guessing it was probably done at Springfield

[the_1st_sgt]

Would the targeting of the rifle possibly be the first step in determining whether it will become a NM? I ask because not all rifles seem to have the "T" marking

[louis]

Good question

[Cosine26]

No. On MN rifles this was the final check to determine if they met accuracy specs. If they met specs they were stamped "T" and accepted. If not, they went back for rework. Some service grade rifles were also targeted. I have a service grade M1 bought in 1972 that has he "T" stamp. It is an SA rework. I believe that a certain number of reworks were targeted to see if they met accuracy specs. I believe that they sample checked them as a QA check on rework procedures.
FWIW

[the_1st_sgt]

Thank you. I have a 5.3 million that has a "T" marked barrel and thought (hoped) that maybe it was considered for conversion to NM.

[nf1e]

Would the " T " marking on the exterior of a USGI SA M14 barrel have the same meaning?

[Cosine26]

YES

[nf1e]

Thanks, I have one and was wondering what it meant.

[Cosine26]

the_1st_sgt
Unfortunately, unless you have provenance that your rifle was originally issued as a NM M1, it can never be a NM M1.

According to Bruce N. Canfield the definition of a "NM M1" is "A rifle built by Springfield Amory for use in the National Matches.". I agree with his definition. My 1962 Type 2 is fully documented from my initial purchase request to my Bill of Sale and the shipping document. Team rifles were very seldom documented, and while they are truly NM M1's, they are hard to provide with documented provenance.

I have a match conditioned M1 built by an army armorer (who had attended the training program at SA) with all of the NM M1 parts, and even though it has all of the bells and whistles and will perform like a NM, it is still only a "Match Conditioned" M1. During the Hey Day of the M1. many NM parts were available through the DCM program, but there a specific characteristics that identify it as an Match conditioned M1-not a NM M1 .
IMO
FWIW

[the_1st_sgt]

Do you have access to SRS. I'd be interested to see where my rifle was issued (if it's in there)

[Cosine26]

I do not have access to the SRS. It is my understanding that few NM M1's are listed in the SRS. but I dot know that as a fact.
FWIW

[the_1st_sgt]

Thank you

[louis]

Great answers. Thank you very much!!