Cut Op Rods

[thorin6]

When did they start cutting op rods for the Garand? The only reference I have states that all cut op rods are post-WWII, so this question is really in two parts. Did they cut op rods in WWII, and if they started post-WWII when did they start?

[Dan Shapiro]

No WWII op rods were manufactured with the relief cut. The modification is detailed in a 1947 dated Technical Manual (TM). Many of the WWII op rods were later modified with the 3/16 inch relief cut, probably at the Depot level, or when the weapons went through R&R at the armory's, Post WWII.

[thorin6]

Dan,
Thanks for the clarification, especially that the 3/16 inch relief cut was detailed in 1947. Is there any evidence that existing op rods were given the relief cut before 1947?
Regards

[Dan Shapiro]

Is there any evidence that existing op rods were given the relief cut before 1947?

Not to my knowledge. The TM's pretty much establish when changes were made. As anal as the Armory System was, I'm sure there was testing done that established the relief cut as a fix for the stress fracturing, but I've never found anything that discusses when/how that testing was done.

[thorin6]

Dan,
Thanks; the reason I ask is that my CMP Garand that I bought years ago has a 1943 receiver and a 9-44 barrel. Other than the stock (clearly post-WWII) and op rod (Winchester with relief cut), the parts were SA WWII parts and I always wondered about the op rod.
Regards

[Dan Shapiro]

Don't have to worry about Winchester. They had a contract to produce rifles and that's what they did. R&D was SA's responsibility.