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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE M1 .30 SN# 81
Maker/Manufacturer:	GARAND, JOHN C.
Date of Manufacture:	08/01/1937
Eminent Figure:	GARAND, JOHN CANTIUS
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1370
Measurements:	OL:109.2CM 43" BL: 60.9CM 24"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE M1 .30 SN# 81
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in 1937 - First production model M1 gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle with 8-round clip feed mechanism. Parkerized finish with many small parts blued. This is the first production line M1 manufactured in 1937 at a cost of $214.54. SN# 1 to 80 were tool room models.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/CAL..30 M1/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/81.
Barrel: P sideways.
Bolt: D28287/C1.
Gas cylinder plug: B-8876.
Rear sight: B-8872.
Front sight: B 8882.
Upper handguard: C46006.
Lower handguard: C46005.
Stock: SA/SPG (in box). P in circle. D28293. SPG = Stanley P. Gibbs.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 2 June 1939. At that time weapon was appraised at $150.00.

Web site photo showing serial numbers 80 and 81 together. Serial number 80 is privately owned.

Exhibit label: "SERIAL NUMBER 81 - The first completely machine-made Garand has serial number 81. Garand was instrumental, not only in designing the weapon, but also in designing the machine to produce it."

Notes: Weapon was endurance tested on 8/13/37 & 4/18/38.

"SUMMARY OF REVIEW OF JOHN GARAND DESIGNED EARLY SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLES IN THE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE MUSEUM COLLECTION. Research Conducted by SCOTT A. DUFF on September 26 and 27, 1995. 11a. M1 Garand .30 Production Rifles - Gas actuated. (21 July 1937). Cat. No. 1370. Serial No. 81. The throat erosion reading of this rifle is 2.0 on an Ordnance Breech Bore Gage, indicating it was fired, but not a lot. It is obvious the trigger group has been changed on the this rifle at some time after receipt by the Museum on June 2, 1939. With that exception, the rifle appears to be original to July 1937 manufacture.
The following differences are those found between numbers 81 (Cat. No. 1370) and 87 (Cat. No. 3435):
Component
Op Rod (welded seam): 81 = D28296. 87 = D28296-0.
Follower Assembly: 81 = 1 w/20 degree slide. 87 = 1 w/20 degree slide only w/rounded rear on slide & ".." no drawing #.
Follower Rod: 81 = C-46014. 87 = no drawing #.
Elevation Pinion: 81 = no drawing #. 87 = C46009.
Gas Cylinder Plug: 81 = B-8876. 87 = B-8876-4
The following components on numbers 81 (Cat. No. 1370) and 87 (Cat. No. 3435) merit comment:
Numbers 81 & 87 - Follower arm pin does not have undercut head. Hammer spring plunger does not have drawing number. Stacking swivel does not have drawing number. Stock ferrule marked C46013-1. Aperture marked: B-8868-1." - Scott Duff

"The Erroneous 'Model 1936' Designation - Collectors often coin their own terms to describe a particular model of firearm. Sooner or later this information ends up in print, and thus a new 'model designation' erroneously evolves. Such is the case with the early production M1. The terms 'model of 1936,' 'Model '36' and other variants with the year 1936 included are strictly collector fabrications and have NO official meaning. As stated above, the first production M1, serial no. 81, was completed in August, 1937." - Pyle

For years it was believed that M1 SN# 81 was the first Garand to pass the function firing test. Recent evidence indicates that in fact it was this arm, SN# 87. In 1981, the "Springfield Historical Arms Bulletin," contained the following: "Joe Bilodeau wrote that he visited 8 people and an Aunt and 2 friends one being Nellie Garand when he came to Springfield for his 55th High School Reunion? While there, he met Herman and Mrs. Hawthorne. They had a great time. Akin to Orin Hayden's Great Grandfather's signature on a museum picture, so too was his Father's signature on a target in the Museum. His signature too was on one of the 3 targets in the Museum that were punctured by shots from Rifle # 87, the first production gun that functioned. In 1938, 3 targets were sent all over the Armory so that all employees could sign them. 80 M1's were made in the Model Shop. It was the performance of these guns that led to adoption. The 1st production gun was No. 81 and it was the gun intended for the target shoot, but, it would not work. He said,
"'S.P.G.': the Case of the One-Eyed Inspector - The only other external marking found on 'gas trap' M1s is the inspector cartouche. Throughout the entire period of 'gas trap' M1 production at Springfield Armory, the stock cartouche reads 'S.A.' over the initials 'S.P.G.' in a box, stamped onto the left side of the stock above the trigger guard. This is because there was only one inspector employed by the Ordnance Department at Springfield Armory: a civilian named Stanley S.P. Gibbs.
Stanley Samuel Ployart Gibbs was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on February 12, 1891. His father, J. Edwin Gibbs, also born in Worcester, was a clerk of Scottish descent, and his mother, Georgie H. F. Ployart, was born in Canada.
Stanley S.P. Gibbs began him employment at Springfield Armory in April, 1916, and worked there for 35 years before retiring on December 31, 1951. Mr. Gibbs was blind in one eye, and never served in the military.
Mr. Gibbs' first wife, Carrie Minnie Sherman, died in 1969, and he subsequently married Helen E. Jennison. Mr. Gibbs had no children.
Mr. Gibbs became a small arms inspector at the Armory in the early 1930s. His boxed inspection stamp 'S.A.' over 'S.P.G.' first appeared on M1903A1 and M1903 National Match rifles. He also placed his inspector's cartouche on rifles such a deluxe target demos, presentation pieces, M2 1922s and M1903s made up for high ranking officials.
In August 1937, when the first production M1, serial number 81, rolled off the line, Mr. Gibbs inspected and cartouched this rifle. It is now on display at Springfield Armory NHS. He subsequently proofed over 50,000 'gas trap' M1s and well over 20,000 of the later 'gas port' rifles before being promoted to Manufacturing Inspection Foreman in October 1940, a position he held until his retirement on December 31, 1951....
Stanley Gibbs Returns - During the period from August 21, 1947 until May 31, 1950, while Colonel Morris K. Barroll was Commanding Officer, Stanley Gibbs once again took up the duty of inspecting and cartouching M1 rifles.
This was a slow period for manufacturing at the Armory; as witness the very few 1948- and 1949- dated barrels that turn up; so the rifles Mr. Gibbs inspected during this period were mostly all rebuilds.
As Manufacturing Inspection Foreman, Mr. Gibbs had the authority to use his own inspection cartouche, even though since 1940 the practice had been to use the Commanding Officer's initials. Mr. Gibbs also held the responsibility for indoctrinating new inspectors under his authority. He could also be called upon to assist in the event that the Inspection Department was short-handed, and he may have been the 'Chief' and only inspector on during during such periods." - Pyle

"In accordance with the simplified designation, approved on February 4, 1935, the word "SEMIAUTO", roll-stamped into the receiver heel as part of the designation on the Model Shop rifles, was deleted with the first production-made M1, SN 81. Rifle SN 81 is also on display at SANHS, along with the first Model Shop rifle, SN 1." - Pyle

"SA INSPECTOR CARTOUCHES OF THE M1 RIFLE - 1937-1945 by Charles Redfield.
Over the years, controversies have always arisen as to what stock markings were correct for any given serial number range. With the addition of many new collectors to the fraternity, the time has come to reintroduce this information and update it with some new.
A little history is in order first. On January 9, 1936, the U.S. Army adopts the M1 Rifle as its basic infantry weapon. In 1937 initial production begins with serial number 81 with first delivery in August of 1937. Production continues past the end of WW2 into September 1945 at which time production of new rifles ceases. Almost 4 million M1's are produced each bearing an inspector's cartouche, an ordnance escutcheon, and proof markings. They imprinThe first M1 Rifle inspector to place his initials on a stock was Stanley S.P. Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs first went to work at Springfield Armory in 1916 as a civilian employee and became chief inspector for small arms. His career lasted 35 years retiring in 1951. During his tenure his 'SA' over 'SPG' in a box would be struck on over 68, 000+ M1 stocks and would reappear again in 1949 on post WW2 SA rebuild rifles.
During the usage of the SA/SPG cartouches, there would be several types. First would be a sharp radiused (almost square) cornered box and a later larger radiused cornered box. These two stocks show up intermingled during the 68,000+ rifles produced. In 1949 the larger round cornered stamp would be the only one to appear on post WW2 SA rebuilds.
The proof mark was a 5/16" inch letter 'P' in a half inch circle. There would be two proof marks used. The first 'P' would appear without serifs until approximately the 30,000 serial number range. After that the 'P' would appear with serifs through the end of M1 Rifle production in 1957.
On September 13, 1938, Colonel Gilbert H. Stewart assumes command of Springfield Armory. The SA/SPG cartouche continues to be used into the 68,000+ serial number range after which Colonel Stewart's SA/GHS stamp comes into use. The acceptance stamp will first appear alone of a short time before being accompanied with the large ordnance escutcheon. The large stamp referred to by collectors as the one inch 'cross cannon' (0.7182 inch actual height) would last until around January of 1942 when a smaller 'cross cannon' cartouche referred to by collectors as the half inch 'crossed cannon' (0.4372 inch actual height) is adopted. This change would occur at approximately the 44x,xxx serial number range and would remain in effect until July of 1953 when the Department Of Defense Acceptance stamp is standardized. For a time in 1942, the large escutcheon can be found used intermittently.
Colonel Stewart's tenure as CO would continue through June 10, 1942 (700,000 approximate serial number range). At a later date, Colonel Steward would be promoted to Brigadier General.
Colonel Earl McFarland would take command of Springfield Armory on June 11, 1942 through July 31, 1943. His acceptance inspection cartouche would read SA/EMcF (700,000 to 1,800,000) approximately serial number range). Although most EMcF stocks have the smaller 'cross cannon' escutcheon, examples of the large cross cannon escutcheon have shown up on stocks next to Colonel McFarland's stamp.
On August 1, 1943, Colonel George A. Woody took command of SA and his acceptance inspection cartouche would read SA/GAW. Colonel Woody was not able to complete his tour of duty because of illness and Colonel Champlin F. Buck, Jr. was appointed temporary commander from August 4, 1944 through October 7, 1944. Colonel Woody died shortly after leaving his command. The SA/GAW inspection stamp would continue in use during Colonel Buck's temporary tenure. (The approximate serial number range for Colonel Woody and Buck was 1,800,000 to 3,200,000.)
On October 8, 1944, Brigadier General Norman F. Ramsey assumed command of SA and was the highest ranking army officer to hold that position. His acceptance stamp would read SA/NFR. On November 16, 1945 Colonel Stephen H. MacGregor becomes the next Commanding Officer at Springfield Armory. (The approximate serial number range for Colonel Ramsey was 3,260,000 with 3,996,716 being the highest number to appear on a M1 receiver to date.) Both GAW and NFR stocks will have the smaller 'cross cannon' escutcheon. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Robert Seccombe, Billy Pyle." - The Garand Stand Report, 2005.

“MYTH: ‘Gas trap’ rifles were never produced – experimental only.
FACT: ‘Gas trap’ rifles were experimental until January 6, 1936 when they were adopted and standardized as the new U.S. Service Rifle. This highest serial number and still in original configuration ‘gas trap’ M1 found thus far is 51559 but th
References:
Duff, Scott. THE M1 GARAND: WORLD WAR II. Scott A. Duff, Export, Pa. 1993.
Harrison, Jesse C. HARRISON'S NOTEBOOK. U.S. MILITARY ARMS. FROM DOUGHBOY TO DOGFACE, INDIVIDUAL WEAPONS. 1903-1955. The Arms Chest. Oklahoma City, Ok. 1999.
Poyer, Joe & Craig Riesch. THE M1 GARAND 1936-1957. North Cape Publications. Tustin, Ca. 2005.
Pyle, Billy. THE GAS TRAP GARAND. Collector Grade Publications. Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. 1999.

Sling for SPAR-1370 located in 207/12.