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Title:RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE GARAND T1919 .30
Maker/Manufacturer:GARAND, JOHN C.
Date of Manufacture:1919
Eminent Figure:GARAND, JOHN CANTIUS
Catalog Number:SPAR 915
Measurements:OL:113CM 44 1/2" BL: 49.5CM 19 1/2"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE GARAND T1919 .30
Manufactured by Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C. Modified at Springfield Armory in 1920 - John Garand's patent model. Semi-automatic, primer actuated rifle with turning bolt. 20-round BAR-type magazine. Sporter style stock with checkered forend. M1917 Enfield buttplate. Previous designation of rifle was "Original Garand Rifle." Originally full-automatic, altered at SPAR to semi-automatic only.

Markings:
Buttplate: Eagle.
Barrel: Ordnance Dept. flaming bomb.
Receiver: READY, SAFE, TAKE DOWN.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 6 December 1938. At that time weapon was appraised at $10.00.

Exhibit label: "PATENT MODEL - John Garand's patent, dated September 5, 1919, is clearly reflected in his first experimental weapon. In the early pieces, Garand used a primer actuated system which used the set back powder of the cartridge primer to operate the action."

Patent filed on 09/05/1919. U.S. Patent No. 11,603,684 issued to Garand 10/19/26.

ANNUAL REPORTS:
AR, 1922 - "In 1919, Mr. John C. Garand, an employee of the Bureau of Standards, submitted to the Ordnance Department a light machine gun operated on a new principle. As the Ordnance Department was not in need of a light machine gun it was thought that Mr. Garand's principle of operation could be applied to a semi-automatic rifle. Consequently, Mr. Garand was engaged at a salary of $3,600.00 per year to proceed to Springfield Armory and design and construct a semi-automatic rifle using the principle he submitted. On October 19, 1919, Mr. Garand reported to Springfield Armory with his sketches and drawings partly completed. Three semi-automatic rifles have been constructed, each differing materially in design, but operated on the same principle, namely a construction that permits the primer to move rearwardly a slight fraction of an inch in the cartridge when the gun is fired. This limited movement of the primer is made to operate an actuator by virtue of a tappet, the said tappet acting as a firing pin and the actuator as a striker.
The first model constructed at the Armory was designed to permit more accurate firing that the light machine gun that was developed at the Bureau of Standards and also not to exceed ten pounds in weight. This model was tested officially in October, 1921, and resulted in the Small Arms Division authorizing modification of the first model and also the construction of a third model, the plan of which was submitted to the Small Arms Division by Mr. Garand in July, 1921.
The second or modified model did not prove more satisfactory than the model tested in October, 1921, and was never tested officially.
The third or last model was tested officially in June 1922. This model showed real improvements in its construction and passed through a reasonably satisfactory test of 3,000 rounds. Breakage occurred at this point and the gun was withdrawn for repairs which have not yet been completed. The design is sufficiently promising to warrant further development and test."

Notes: "Garand Rifle. OMS 474.2/8 SA 472.2/56. The semi-automatic rifle brought to this Armory by Mr. Garand is being modified to comply with the instructions of the Ordnance Office. Even available facility at this Armory has been extended to Mr. Garand in the furtherance of this project. Mr. Garand is now engaged in the re-design and modification of his original rifle." - Major James L. Hatcher, Bi-Monthly Report, 11/3/1919.

"7. VARIATIONS FROM THE STANDARD PRINCIPLES. - a. There are any number of different mechanical solutions of the three standard principles of operation (recoil-operated, gas-operated, blow-back), for instance, the Maxim, the Vickers, and most recoil operated-aircraft machine guns have an attachment around the muzzle against which the powder gases following the bullet impinge and, in rebounding, exert pressure against a disk attached to the muzzle of the barrel to assist in recoiling the barrel. Thus these weapons are a combination of recoil and gas operation, although the forces exerted by the gas play a mind. In 1919 Mr. Garand made a semiautomatic rifle on the delayed blow back principle, where the unlocking of the bolt was accomplished by the set-back on the primer. When the bolt was unlocked it was forced to the rear of the action of the powder gases after the pressures had been materially reduced." - Springfield Armory Document, ST No. 48 (1939)

"In our marked progress that took place during the period 1920-1930, the first important chapter begins in 1919 when John C. Garand, then an employee of the Bureau of Standards, submitted to the Ordnance Department plans for a light weight machine gun. During the World War, Mr. Garand, a tool engineer and automatic machine designer, formerly with the Brown and Sharpe Company and later employed by several other concerns producing fine tools became interested in the possibilities of designing a suitable Semi-automatic Shoulder Arm. The Ordnance Department was not in need of a light machine gun but perceptive officers there thought Garand's principle might be successfully applied to a Semi-automatic rifle. Therefore the Department engaged Garand at a salary of $3600 a year to undertake the design and construction of a Semi-automatic rifle embodying that principle. In October 1919, Garand reported at Springfield Armory which was to be the scene of his research and constructive labors for the next twenty-six years....
The Garand was first considered by a committee on November 4, 1919 and described as being similar to the B.A.R. Tests were conducted June 3, 1920 under Order S.O. 1180 W.D. May 19, 1920....Tests conducted under program, Form 2592 revised August 5, 1919....a. The Garand was of particular interest in that a new principle of operation was injected in the semi-automatic rifle tests, that of primer blowback. Operation upon this principle was based upon energy transmitted through rearward motion of the cartridge primer upon firing, operating an actuator by virtue of a tappet. The tappet, in addition, acted as firing pin, and the actuator as a striker." - Mr. William H. Davis

"The original Garand Cal..30; made at Bureau of Standards as a full auto; brought by Garand to S.A. and there altered; now auto. or semi-automatic; operated by primer set-back; no marks; prior to July 1920 Ex. O. 2833." - Letter to Chief of Ordnance, 11/12/1929.

References:
Davis, William H. PROJECT SUPPORTING PAPER #37 - U.S. RIFLE, CAL..30 M1: HISTORY OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT PROCUREMENT AND PRODUCTION 1936-1945. July, 1946.

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