[mtlucas0311]

Hello everyone, I recently realized that I have a very early Winchester Garand, s/n 100470. I believe it was manufactued in 12-40 or 1-41. Most all other parts of the rifle are SA (including the barrell), and I am POSITIVE that it is not a re-weld (inspected by a specialist, who was surprised that it wasn't). I am mainly interested if it is something special, as I will likely stop taking it to the range. It hasn't been reparkerized. I also read that s/n 100001 thru 100501 were an educational batch? Any info anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, MIke.

[Roswell 1847]

I don't know alot about the Garand but I do remember two things about the earliest production rifles.
One is that a cut in the receiver extended further than it needed to and would cause seventh round jamms if the loaded enbloc clip had the top round on the wrong side. This was corrected in later Garands.
Another is that the earliest rifles used a Gas Trap at the muzzle rather than the later gas bleed hole in the barrel.
Most of hose guns were refitted with the standard gas system, and I think they have a slightly shorter barrel but I'm not sure.
Garands with the Gas Trap are a premium, and are said to be more accurate if the trap is fitted properly, but innaccurate if the trap is damaged or worn.

[Red Neck64]

Serial number 100,001 to 100,501 were an educational order for WRA to develop the necessary determine a fair market price for the M1 tooling!

The few tool room M-1s are priceless.

[TEDDY]

the gas trap guns tended to move their impact point lower as the barrel heated up so I dont see how they could be accurate. the germans tried gas trap on their 41W and got rid of it.:banghead::)

[Red Neck64]

Well we ain't talking X Ring target rifles here,it is more chest to belly shooting,not bench rest .025.