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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE M1D .30 SN# 3376966
Maker/Manufacturer:	GARAND, JOHN C.
Date of Manufacture:	12/01/1944
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3439
Measurements:	OL: 86.9CM 34 1/4" BL: 60.9CM 24"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE M1D .30 SN# 3376966
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - Sniper version of M1 semi-auto rifle adopted in September 1944. Barrel and receiver only with experimental four prong flash suppressor.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/CAL..30 M1/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/3376966.
Barrel: 5-51.
Receiver: D2829135.
Bayonet lug: 4/Z.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 14 July 1966. At that time weapon was appraised at $207.

Notes: "According to a 14 June 1951 Springfield Armory office memorandum the subject being Test of Sample M1D rifle, paragraph one states: 'The subject M1D rifle is the first M1 rifle selected by Field Service Maintenance from Field Service Stores and rebuilt to certain standards or requirements as outlined in the above memo dated 26 April 1951, subject 'Standards for M1 Rifle for conversion to M1D Sniper, forwarded to Test Section, Field Service and Inspection.' The serial number of the first M1D is 3,376,966. Several prototype M1D's were built at SA in 1944 and are in storage at SANHS Museum. The first actual conversion to a M1D is serial number 3,376,966....
The last M1D assembled at Springfield Armory was s/n 485,083 in May of 1967." - The Grand Stand Report, Fall, 2004.

"This model can be found by any manufacturer and in any serial number range. This mounting system was designed by John Garand, and consists of a mounting block on the rear of the barrel. The rear hand guard is shortened and the mount attaches with a large single screw system. The modification could be made on the field repair level. It is not known how many rifles were modified, but it is very likely that they numbers into the tens of thousands." - Schwing

"M1D Sniper Rifle (modified from existing M1 service rifle in the early 1950's.)
Serial number: WWII ranges. Generally from the 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 ranges.
Barrel markings: Special M1D barrel marked 'SA' and dated 1951-1953.
Telescope mounts: Integral telescope base in the M1D barrel and screw type scope mount.
Proper telescope: Generally seen with the M84 scope with sliding sunshade and rubber eyepiece. Technically speaking, the M81 and M82 telescope would also be correct for this model.
Stock cartouche: Original examples noted with WWII SA cartouche or the later 'Dept. of Defense' cartouche.
Accessories: M2 flash hider or the later T-37 prong-type flash suppressor. Leather T4 cheekpad (many found dated in the early 1950s.)" - Canfield, Man At Arms. January/February 1956.

References:
Gilbert, Adrian. SNIPER. St. Martin's Paperbacks. N.Y., N.Y. 1994.
Schwing, Ned. STANDARD CATALOG OF MILITARY FIREARMS. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 2001.