historical question about CMP Dane Garands.

[Erik Jensen]

so. I've decided I'll be getting a Rifle, .30, M1 with part of my Tax refund. I'm going to go pick it up at the store in Port Clinton. but my question is this: I know that the Danish issue rifles are lend-lease, but did we lend them to the Danes *after* WWII, or *during*? a minor point, I'm sure, but if we lent them to the Danes after WWII, it would be much cooler, to me, since the rifle would represent both my heritage as a Dane, and still be a relic of American history (as well as saving me about $100, to spend on ammo. ). any one know the chronology on these rifles?

 

[DMK]

I would say after WWII. Wasn't Denmark Nazi occupied territory?

EDIT:
Yea, I thought so. Here's what CMP says:
http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/Danish.htm

The Danish M1s were U.S. M1s Springfields or Winchesters, mostly WWII production that went to Denmark after the War. They were not "Lend Lease" because Denmark was occupied during the War. There were two distinct groups of rifles, one lot of approximately 20,000 were loaned to the Danes and the other lot of possibly 40,000 were purchased by Denmark. The rifles that the CMP has are of the first lot. Since these rifles were on loan to Denmark the Danes simply gave them back. The kits that are advertised are coming out of Canada, a Danish Import/Export Co. called Top Mark purchased all the remaining rifles, U.S. made, Beretta and Breda. Topmark sold them to a Canadian company that stripped the parts for sale in the U.S. Unlike the Brits the Danes did not stamp proof and acceptance marks all over the rifles and since the rifles were not imported there are no import marks. The only marks the Danes used were the anchor and three or four digit number (possibly five) on the sight cover (Navy Issue), and stamped serial number of the rifle on the bottom area of the stock above the toe. The rifles may have a mixture of U.S., PB (Beretta), BMB (Breda) parts and VAR (Danish) barrels. There are three definite groups of barrel and receiver combinations.

 

[VG]

Many of the Danish rifles have WWII receivers. One I got had the original receiver/barrel combo.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

It would have to be after the war as one of the Danes I received had a 1942 manufacture receiver (after Denmark was occupied by the Nazis).

 

[Coronach]

Definately after the war. We were helping rearm Denmark after six years of Nazi occupation. Mine is a Dane, with a VAR barrel and a receiver that was manufactured in December, 1941.

-Mike