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John Garand himself (auction 74, lot 1362) for $287,500. This rifle, bearing serial number “1500000” on the heel of the receiver, still has yet to be further researched and it cannot be confirmed at the time of writing if it was presented to an individual, or slipped through the cracks for general issue overseas during the height of the middle of World War
II due to the demand for rifles in the hands of soldiers. It has been professionally restored back to its World War II configuration as offered with all components correct for date of manufacture, and displays well. Designed by Springfield Armory employee, John Garand,
the M1 Garand rifle is so significant that it is still in use today by thousands of collectors and shooting enthusiasts who flock to Camp Perry every year for the High Power rifle matches. The M1 Garand is highly regarded as one of the most prolific and collectible rifles, even today, over 85 years after its official adoption in 1936. Before the end of World War II, approximately 5.5 million M1 Garands came off the production line, between manufacturers Springfield Armory and Winchester, to be shipped out and put in the hands of soldiers overseas. Every U.S. Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force veteran from World War II through Vietnam and well beyond intimately knows how wonderful and significant the M1 Garand rifle is, and that
it ultimately helped save the United States, Europe and the free world. Hands down, the
M1 Garand was considered to be the best all around standard issue battle rifle of the war, instilling confidence in the soldiers who carried them and strongly aiding in the
ultimate Allied victory. General George S. Patton himself called the M1 Garand
rifle, “The greatest battle implement ever devised.” Blade front and peep rear
sights, with a visible set screw on the former and a set of early pattern adjustment drums (“BATTLE RANGE” windage and “LEFT/LEFT” elevation with closed arrows and locking bar) on the latter. “2-S-A-3-43” barrel, “SA” bolt, trigger guard, trigger
housing, hammer, safety and uncut operating rod. The stock is bearing an “S.A./E.
McF.” (Earl McFarland) inspection cartouche and “crossed cannons” stamp on
the left of the wrist, with a circled “P” proof on the wrist, and a checkered steel
buttplate. This is a rare occasion, and one of only a few surviving examples Rock
Island Auction Company has ever offered of a U.S. Springfield M1 Garand rifle with
a significant milestone serial number, with this being the ONLY example bearing the 1,500,000th serial number. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 99% professionally restored parkerized finish with defined markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also very fine with defined edges and rich oil finish with some light handling marks, a minor 2 1/2 inch hairline crack on the top rear of the front handguard, and exceptionally crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent. As the one and only 1,500,000th production milestone U.S. Springfield M1 Garand rifle, one of the most iconic military arms in history, this would make an excellent addition to any U.S. Military firearms collection! Estimate: 10,000 - 20,000
Serial Number 1,500,000
Important Historic Note
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Springfield Armory is known to have set aside rifles with significant or interesting serial numbers. Serial number 1,000,000 for example was given to the rifle's inventor, John Garand, upon his retirement.
LOT 1470
Rare World War II U.S. Springfield
M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle with Iconic Milestone Serial Number
“1500000” - Serial no. 1500000, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. This U.S. Springfield M1 Garand rifle, bearing the one and only 1,500,000th production
serial number and manufactured in April of 1943 right during the middle of World War II,
serves as a historically significant and important milestone. In rare instances, it is known that
Springfield Armory would set aside significant and/or interesting serial numbered M1 Garand rifles for presentation to noted individuals. Rock Island Auction Company previously sold the 1,000,000th M1 Garand rifle presented to inventor
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