NM Garand

[StockDoc]

I would think an NM Garand from that period that was actually used as a match rifle and shot hard could very well have had the barrel replaced.

or if not shot out, rebuilt and reparked. markings could be very faint.

[2111]

" Originally Posted by PhillipM

I would think an NM Garand from that period that was actually used as a match rifle and shot hard could very well have had the barrel replaced. "

You are right about that Phil. Like I said in my reply " these were originally "Type 1" rifles. At a later date the rifle could go through an upgrade and if it retained its original barrel, in addition to the STAR, you should also find the "year code" for 1959, 60, 61 or 62 stamped on the barrel, in the date area."

Usually if a person purchased a NM rifle at Camp Perry or through DCM and they were competition shooters, they would upgrade their rifle with the newest NM parts as soon as they became available. NM rifles that were loaned to shooters at the National Matches were returned to SA and upgraded for the following shooting season. This upgrade may or may not have required a barrel change. Starting with the NM rifles being built or upgraded for the 1959 National Matches, a code was stamped on the barrel which indicates the year of upgrade. Bob Seijas shows a photo, in the Winter 2003 edition of the GCA Journal, of a mint Type 2 NM rifle #5832326, which was originally assembled in 1959, upgraded in 1960 and again in 1962. DCM sales papers are dated May 10, 1971. The rifle still retained the barrel from the original 1959 assembly and showed the year codes for 1959, 1960 and 1962. The reason for this was that the rifle was neither shipped to Camp Perry nor sold by DCM until 1971. It remained in SA inventory and was upgraded each year, even though it was unused. Reason being, when a NM rifle was sold through the DCM, or loaned to a shooter at Camp Perry, the buyer/shooter would get a rifle with all the latest upgrades for that shooting season. They couldn't give one shooter a NM rifle last upgraded in 1958 and another a rifle with all the upgrades for 1962. For this reason SA upgraded most rifles in inventory every year.
NM rifles were also loaned to shooting clubs but these have either been returned to the Government or purchased by the club or club members.
A NM rifle in private hands and "actually used as a match rifle and shot hard" would surely need a barrel change before long. At one time you could return your NM rifle to SA for upgrades and I don't know when that ceased. Usually a rifle owned by a shooter that needed a new barrel could have it installed right at a match by Army armorers that had a van at the matches for this purpose. But the new barrel, while it would be to NM specifications, it would not be marked with NM on the barrel, between the rings of the gas cylinder. It would be a replacement barrel and have a NM marking in the date area of the barrel. The NM mark up front is really like a proof that is inscribed on the barrel at SA after all tests have been performed, the rifle completely assembled and accepted as a NM rifle.

[CPC]

NM rifle

Looking through my pictures I was able to find these two photos, hopefully they will help a little. The first picture is of a documented Type 1 NM (1955) 5.8M 3-55 barrel in essentially unfired original condition. The second is of a Type 1 NM (undocumented) 5.9M 10-55 barrel that has gone through typical match upgrades by the owner (most likely at the games). The 5.8 is in like new condition and the 5.9 while used is in 90-95% condition.

Regards,
CC

[StockDoc]

that does help, thanks. Do all have the letter space that far apart?

[2111]

Those stamps on the early Type 1 NM rifles will be found spaced differently as they used two stamps, an "N" and an "M" Pictured is the stamping on a late 1956 or early 1957 built Type 1 NM rifle. The second picture is the inscription on a 1962 built Type 2. At this point no longer stamped but engraved in some manner. These stamps will be equally spaced. The third picture is of the new 7791035 barrel used on the NM rifles built for 1963. It appears that the NM stamp on these barrels were cast into the barrel when the barrel was built and it is under the Parkerizing.
IMG_4851.jpgNM 4.jpgNM on barrel 3166857.jpg

[Phil McGrath]

Bob Seijas shows a photo, in the Winter 2003 edition of the GCA Journal, of a mint Type 2 NM rifle #5832326, which was originally assembled in 1959, upgraded in 1960 and again in 1962. DCM sales papers are dated May 10, 1971. The rifle still retained the barrel from the original 1959 assembly and showed the year codes for 1959, 1960 and 1962. The reason for this was that the rifle was neither shipped to Camp Perry nor sold by DCM until 1971. It remained in SA inventory and was upgraded each year, even though it was unused. Reason being, when a NM rifle was sold through the DCM, or loaned to a shooter at Camp Perry, the buyer/shooter would get a rifle with all the latest upgrades for that shooting season.

SA closed in Apr 1968, so I think its safe too assume it was stored at Aniston until it was sold, so it left SA went too Aniston but was still in Army inventory/control.

Those stamped on the early Type 1 NM rifles will be found spaced differently as they used two stamps, an "N" and an "M" Pictured is the stamping on a late 1956 or early 1957 built Type 1 NM rifle. The second picture is the inscription on a 1962 built Type 2. At this point no longer stamped but engraved in some manner. These stamps will be equally spaced. The third picture is of the new 7791035 barrel used on the NM rifles built for 1963. It appears that the NM stamp on these barrels were cast into the barrel when the barrel was built and it is under the Parkerizing.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30288[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]30289[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]30290[/ATTACH]

Barrels are not cast, its better too say the barrel was inscribed before it was finished. The NM barrels that I has seen the NM markings could have been done with a roll mark the placement I've seen on more than a few have not been centered between the gas cylinder rings and a few have been a bit lower than normal one in fact was almost underneath and the G/C practically covered it.

[2111]

How about this one ??N.M. marking.jpg

[StockDoc]

almost looks as though it was filled in with weld, would not no why. Did they also orient the NM that way?

[2111]

I don't believe Springfield Arsenal ever did.

[Phil McGrath]

How about this one ??[ATTACH=CONFIG]30302[/ATTACH]

That one is a first.

[2111]

It was a first for me too. I forget where it was that I copied the photo but I think it may have been on an ALLEGED NM rifle on G.B. And yes, "cast" was a bad choice of words. I don't know where the NM rifle I was referring to was shipped from but I guess being shipped in 1971 Anniston would be most likely.