Bruce D Pease
Member
They also sold m1 carbines, 1917 enfields, and once in a while a Krag-Jorgensen. I believe they still will let an individual buy up to 8 m1 garands a year.The Director of Civilian Marksmanship (then actually a part of the US Army) began selling National Match M-1 Garands to qualified individuals in 1955.
One had to be an NRA member, affiliated with the DCM, and competed in sanctioned high power matches.
By the Mid 1960's non match grade rifles were available through the DCM.
Since the DCM had a limit of one rifle sale per life few made it to the "civilian" market.
With the Post Office-ization of the office into the CMP the life time limit went away and some people bought multiple rifles and sold them at profit at gunshows or in their shops. While this was "good" for the CMP it has reduced the numbers of M1 available from the organization.
At one point DCM even sold M1911a1 pistols to NRA members as well as M1903 series Springfields.
There was a law suit against the DCM/USA for requiring NRA membership that technically (though not practically) did away with that requirement. I think this was about 1964. Afterwards a person belonging to a DCM affiliated club meeting all other requirements could purchase a once in a lifetime M1 Garand.
I tried hard to get my Dad to qualify for a DCM Garand ( I was under 21 so not qualified, most folks forget 21 was the age of majority in most states until 1972) in the mid 1960's but was unsuccessful.
-kBob