Springfield Armory Museum - Collection Record

U.S. RIFLE M1D .30 SN# 2107936
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in 1943 - Sniper version of semi-automatic, gas-operated, 8-round clip-fed M1 rifle adopted as substitute standard in October 26, 1944. The M1D utilized a machined base fitted around the chamber end of the barrel secured with a pin. The telescope mount was attached to the base with a screw and knob assembly patented by John Garand. The T4 cheek pad, adopted in October 1944, was originally designed to be attached to the stock with two wood screws and leather laces. Weapon has an overall length of 43 1/2" and a barrel length of 24". Weapon weighs 11.81 lbs. with telescope, flash-hider, web sling and cheek pad. This specimen is a Springfield Armory 1952 rebuild equipped with a M84 telescope sight, M2 flash hider and T4 cheek pad.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/CAL..30 M1/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/2107936.
Bolt: D28287-12SA/S06.
Barrel: SA-8-52.
Stock: P in circle. S.A. in rectangle.

Weapon transferred to Museum on 27 May 1965. At that time weapon was appraised at $207.00.

ARMORY HISTORICAL REPORT - SERVICE DIVISION - 2 SEPTEMBER 1945 THRU 1 JULY 1951
"FY 1951. Processes for the manufacture of parts peculiar to Rifle U.S. .30 M1D were started."
"Redesign in connection with production study to improve methods of manufacture of Cal .30, M1D (Sniper)."

1JUL51 - 31DEC51 - "A very important change affecting production was the engineering project which contributed refinements to the construction of the telescope mount on the M1D Sniper's Rifle. Previously a weapon existing only on the drawing board and considered a substitute for the M1C Rifle, it was approved for production because of the absolute interchangeability of the mount and its components, and its more simplified mount design characteristics which provided ease of assembly and disassembly. As opposed to the M1C Rifle, whose mount is selectively assembled and is not interchangeable, the Armory considers that the M1D weapon is far superior to its counterpart insofar as performance, ease of manufacture, assembly, and interchangeability of the mount is concerned."

Notes: The M1C did not meet accuracy requirements and almost immediately work began on the M1E8. The M1E8 rifle was adopted as a the M1D in October 1944. The M1D used a machine base fitted around the chamber end of the barrel secured with a pin. The handguard was shortened as the telescope mount was attached to the base with a screw and knob assembly that was designed by John Garand. This specimen is a Springfield Armory 1952 rebuild equipped with a M84 telescope sight, M2 flash hider and T4 cheek pad. It is not believed the M1D was utilized in WWII. It is believed that except for a few built during development, all were converted from existing service rifles in the early 1950s.

"Although the M1E7 (M1C) was an acceptable sniper rifle, the Ordnance Department was interested in evaluating a design that did not require any modification of the basic M1 receiver. Another consideration was the fact that the government was uncertain if Griffin & Howe would be able to supply the required number of mounts. In order to hedge its bets, the Ordnance Department directed John Garand to develop an alternative to the M1C design. Garand came up with a design which featured a mounting block permanently attached to the rear portion of the M1's barrel. This design was given the designation M1E8. Although the method of attachment was entirely different than that of the M1E7, the barrel mounted base allowed for easy removal of the scope from the rifle. The M81 and M82 telescopes were authorized for the M1E8 as well.
Although production of the M1C was underway, the M1E8 was adopted as the M1D and given designation 'Substitute Standard.' This was done so as to have another Garand sniper design ready for production should the need arise of if G&H was unable to supply the required number of mounts. Except for a few prototypes or experimental specimens made, the M1D was not produced during World War Two and would not properly be
The M1D was too late for World War II, though the developmental prototype was tested and the detail design worked up as early as 1944. Most authentic M1D receivers are of World War II design worked up as early as 1944. Most authentic M1D receivers are of World War II vintage, but there seems to have been some armory or depot conversion of later rifles as well. The scope mounting block on the M1D is on the barrel, which requires shortening the handguard. For shooters who merely wish to scope an M1, either this modified barrel (now available from suppliers) or the B-Square mount are best for the rifle's long-term value because nothing of interest to collectors need to be modified to secure the optics. All Armory conversions to M1D specifications seem to have been done in the 1951-53 period, and all authentic M1D barrels apparently came from Springfield Armories. There are no specific serial number ranges for M1Ds, though it is almost impossible that any numbered over 4,500,000 or so could have been converted at the armory. These rifles were not selected for accuracy, and, again, because of the optical limitations of the most common glasses of the period, one is strongly advised not to expect much.
Scope: M81 or M82, usually M84. A very few M1D rifles have been reimported with a 1-inch ring set, and I have seen one - which must've lived outside the United States for quite some time - with 30mm rings.
Accessories: cheekpiece, flash hiders, as per M1C.

"M1D Sniper Rifle with T37 Flash Hider and M84 Telescopic Sight 1944-1967 - The M1D was often assembled at USMC base depots with the conversion from standard M1 to a sniping rifle. The M1D was based on M1 rifles manufactured by Springfield Armory, Harrington & Richardson, Winchester and even a few International Harvesters. The M2 flash hider was often thrown away (lost) in combat because the loose fit and lack of symmetry had an adverse effect on the rifle's accuracy." - Major Edward J. Land, Jr., USMC

"Most M1Ds seem to have been refinished when converted." - Thompson

The M1D saw action with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam.

References:
Ball, Robert W.D. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY: SHOULDER WEAPONS 1795-1968. Antique Trader Book. Norfolk, Va. 1997.
Canfield, Bruce N. U.S. INFANTRY WEAPONS OF WORLD WAR II. Andrew Mowbray Publishers. Lincoln, R.I. 1994.
Canfield, Bruce N. COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE M1 GARAND AND THE M1 CARBINE. Andrew Mowbray Publishers. Lincoln, R.I. 1998.
Clark, David C. ARMS FOR THE NATION. Scott A. Duff. Export, Pa. 1992.
Duff, Scott A. THE M1 GARAND: WORLD WAR II. Scott A. Duff. Export, Pa. 1993.
Duff, Scott A. THE M1 GARAND: OWNERS GUIDE. Scott Duff. Export, Pa. 1994.
Gilbert, Adrian. SNIPER. St. Martin's Paperbacks. N.Y., N.Y. 1994.
Hatcher, Maj. Gen. Julian S. HATCHER'S BOOK OF THE GARAND. The Gun Room Press. Highland Park, N.J. 1983.
Poyer, Joe & Craig Riesch. M1 GARAND 1937 TO 1957. North Cape Publications. Tustin, Ca. 2001.
Pyle, Billy. ORDNANCE TOOLS, ACCESSORIES & APPENDAGES OF THE M1 RIFLES. G.S. Publications. Houston, Tx. 1988.
Thompson, Jim. THE COMPLETE M1 GARAND: A GUIDE FOR THE SHOOTER AND COLLECTOR. Paladin Press. Boulder, Colorado. 1998.

M84 telescope - Designed by the Artillery Development Division. Weighs .84 lb. without mount. Standardized in early 1945, it does not fit well on the M1C. This is a low powered straight tube telescope with a fixed focus and is used with M1C, M1D, M1903A4 and M14. It has a large bright field of view and utilizes a sun-shade to shade its objectives and prevent reflection. A soft rubber eyeshield protects the eyepiece end of the telescope. The telescope is provided with range and windage adjustments which are controlled by two knobs. Rotation of these knobs cause the reticle to move vertically and laterally. The position of the

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