Thanks guys,
I guess I did get lucky!
I appreciate you letting me know about the Stock. This is my first Garand and I'm not as familiar with it as I am with the AR family of rifles that I went through basic with. By comparison this is a much more complex rifle (IMHO).
After Speaking to the Southern Store I was expecting a CMP birch stock as the gentleman I spoke with said virtually all of the SA Service grades going out at this time have CMP birch stocks. Also, the grain was so beautiful and has such an almost 3D iridescence that I thought it must be birch. Check the picture below. I lightened it up to show the grain. Still does not come close to how it looked even with the grease on it!
So far, I have removed all of the grease that was on the wood stock using Crud Cutter, a scrunge type kitchen sponge, a few old tooth brushes, rags, and 2 rolls of paper towels.
I must say, this stuff came off allot easier than the dark brown, tenacious, fetid mire that filled and encased my Soviet SKS when I got it 17 years ago. But I digress...
I tried to scrub with the grain as much as possible and be real gentle. Then sponged and scrubbed it all down with warm Murphy's Oil Soap and water. Finally, a warm water rinse and wipe down.
Once it was all completely dry I went over all of the wood with 0000 steel wool, cleaned it with tack cloth and have applied the first coat of 50/50 PTO and odorless mineral spirits.
While that's drying, I have detail stripped the metal and completely cleaned every single part. In about a week the stock should be ready and I will put this all back together. Most of the metal shows zero wear. Only the bolt shows slight wear on the lugs and bearing surfaces. Op rod looks brand new.
So far the only marked part that is not SA is the bolt.
In the meantime I bookmarked the CMP site that shows how to re-assemble the Garand. I have read and re-read all of it and will keep doing so. I don't want to break anything.
If any of you could direct me to decent videos that show the details of dis-assembly & re-assembly I would be very grateful.
I also got the email re: my ammo order. it should be here in 3-5 days.