Historical Garand in spite of the fact it isn't original, Tark.
In 1961, I ordered a "hand picked" Garand, mail order from Klein's, (for $98) in hopes of getting a rifle I could accurize and continue shooting competition as a civilian after separation. The barrel had pretty light pitting stem to stern, probably from corrosive ammo; had the early combat sights (w/lock) and was complete with the lend lease stamp on barrel/British proof marks. It was in a horrible stock that looked to have been sanded with an 8" auto body shop sander which left a 1/4" gap between the heel of the receiver and the stock. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
As Slamfire recently stated, typically, as shooters are wont to do, I have to admit to the mistake of "Bubba-izing" that rifle. Put a new glass bedded stock on it, and surprisingly it shot much better than it should have, so I proceeded to fully accurize it, putting NM sights on it, changed out milled trigger guard for tighter fit of stamped guard, but stopped short of removing the barrel with the lend-lease markings which reads .30 2.494" 18 tons per square ".
It still has the early op-rod without the cut, shoots decent, considering, but is a copper magnet due to the shallow pitting; I have long since retired it as a shooter. Original sights may still be in a drawer somewhere, but not sure.
Are there any British lend lease Garands @ the museum, Tark?
Regards,
hps