M1 Garand Markings and Other Newbie stuff
- Thread starter kdave21
- Start date
- Status
Does it have a narrow base or wide base gas cylinder, meaning does the front sight fit flush with the base it sits on? I agree with capnmac, go pick up a copy of Canfields book, it will give you all the information you need and then some. If you sell that op rod then you no longer have a close to original garand. There is a reason people pay so much for them, they are hard to find. My understanding from my research is that the op rods failed at that point when grenade launchers were used because of the additional stress put on the mechanism from the increased recoil velocity. They radiused the 90degree angle so it could flex under recoil and not crack. That is also why the gas cylinder plug was changed to employ the "poppit valve" system. I have an original SA 2-42 and shoot it some. I also have a Vietnam era rebuild that I shoot alot. Have fun with it, but be careful, they are addicting....
Narrow based gas cylinders were used until mid 43. The front sight had an allen screw that was covered by a cap and sat flush. After that the bases were widened and the caps eliminated allowing for windage adjustment. It is difficult to tell in your photo but what I can say is the screw on the rear of your front sight is not correct for any vintage, but the gas cylinder lock is correct for WWII. I was curious because the gas cylinders wore out. You have an uncut op rod which is correct for an early Garand, so I was curious about the gas cylinder as well. If the base your front sight sits on is exactly the same width as the front sight left to right, it is a narrow base. If it is wider then it is the later wide base version. Both are correct for WWII, I was just trying to narrow down originality for you.
Yes it does appear to be a narrow base gas cylinder. The slotted gas cylinder plug is correct for early vintage as is the non-humped gas cylinder lock. It appears that your op rod and gas cylinder are correct for your SN. As I stated earlier the gas cylinder plugs were changed with the "cutting" of the op rod to allow for the use of the grenade launchers. When the military went to the poppit plug to reduce the gas pressure, the lock had an + or x on the end depending on how you look at it and a spring loaded valve to let the gas escape. The screw, well that is someones method of securing the front sight after they changed stuff around. Not military or collector grade. If your Garand has been rebuilt, which 99% have, by the military or some collector, it has been rebuilt with the proper parts in regards the the gas cylinder and op rod. We can get into lockbar sights, short vs. long channel stock, and the fork on your Garands follower rod, and other small parts but I think you should just shoot this and enjoy it for what it is. Again, get Canfields book. It will tell you all and more about the Garand and the M1 carbine than any regular joe needs to know. Be carefull, they are adicting.....
Thanks guys for all the help. I will have to look into canfield's book. I bought Scott Duffs "M1 Owners" book and found it quite helpful for use of the rifle, however it doesnt go into the details of various parts (nor was it the books intention). Thanks again.
- Status
