This began life 6 years ago as a mis-matched, ugly, mutt of a rifle I bought from the CMP for $295. I've slowly scoured guns shows and Ebay looking for all correct parts for the rifle's serial number.
Some parts were easy to find...the bolt, operating rod, hammer. Some were surprisingly expensive...the rear site cost me $300. Some were tough...it took me a year to find a properly marked WWII barrel that was correct for the receiver. The last piece, the stock, took me the longest to find....2 years. Properly marked WWII era stocks are TOUGH to find and EXPENSIVE when you do. I found this one at a gun show last month in a barrel of old stocks. At first it looked to be just a dime a dozen, unmarked, run of the mill WWII era walnut stock. Upon very close inspection I saw the very faint markings on the stock that I think the dealer missed. I was thrilled, and paid the guy $35 for it.
With the stock, my rifle is about a 95% restoration of a Springfield Armory M1 Garand that would have left the assembly line in February or March of 1945. And it's a shooter. I dont baby it. I enjoy it and clean it properly....but I also love to shoot it until it smokes!
Hope you gents enjoy the pics and video. It's much like restoring a tractor...except no paint, no busted knuckles, and this thing has a max. effective range of 440 yards.
Blair
A Link to a Video I Made this past Weekend
http://vimeo.com/37520817


Stock Cartouche




