Navy Garand 7.62 NATO - MK2 Mod 1, Grade B ?

Augie said:

Any idea as to why the barrel is stamped H&R?

Click to expand...

Here is an article by Steve Rutledge that help explain the H&R print on the barre.l

Harrington & Richardson Arms was eventually contracted to convert a quantity of these rifles with AMF. AMF converted 17,050 rifles with no grooves in the chamber to retain the bushing. H&R converted 15,000 rifles with 25% having new 7.62MM barrels and the balance with bushings installed in a grooved chamber. AMF converted an additional 10,000 rifles with 50% having new barrels and the balance with bushings installed in a grooved chamber.

The rifles with the bushings were designated MK2 MOD 0 (zero) by the Navy and the rifles with Springfield Armory produced 7.62MM barrels were designated MK2 MOD1. The MK2 MOD0 barrels, with the sleeve added, are clearly marked “7.62 NATO” near the drawing number of the barrel. In virtually all cases, white paint has been added to clearly display this designation. The barrels may or may not be marked “H&R” or “AMF.”

The newly manufactured 7.62MM barrels have been observed by this writer with dates of 5-1965, 12-65 and 3-66. The 1965 dated barrels have drawing numbers of 11010457 and the 1966 barrels have drawing numbers of 11686514. I have seen several barrels dated 12-65 with “SPL” between the drawing number and the date. It is unknown what this means. Some have conjectured that this meant a “match” barrel but Cdr. Jim Adell, a life-long Navy shooter and researcher of the Navy Garands says it does not.

The early SA made barrels had “7.62MM” marked on the barrel in letters that were the same size as the drawing number. The contractor, AMF or H&R, then added “7.62MM” in larger letters, as well as their own markings, and filled them with white paint. Later SA barrels had factory added “7.62MM” markings approximately the same size as the contractors “7.62 NATO” markings. It appears they were taking no chances identifying what cartridge the rifle used!

The rifles offered for sale by the CMP are all the MK2 MOD 0 variety. While the later MK2 MOD1 rifles were seen with the contractor’s markings on the barrel near the drawing number, this was not always the case with the MK2 MOD 0 rifle. Only a few of the CMP offering were seen with AMF or H&R inscriptions. Billy Pyle of the GARAND STAND REPORT says that the first 100 rifles converted by the Navy had “7.62 NATO” engraved or stamped on the side of the receiver. Several of these rifles have been reported and an excellent picture of one appears in GSR #12.

Good New, I received the authentication from James M. Adell. Per documents attached the M1 rifle is a Navy MK2 MOD 1 and it was a trophy rifle awarded during 1985 or 1986.

What do you think the fair market value for this item is now??

That is too cool! great score... Love the navy history!

Nice rifle! I have beenn looking for a Trophy rifle with documentation for awhile now. When they come up they always seem to slip between my fingers or I'm broke at the time
I do have a Navy Garand that I built off a 7.62 Navy barreled receiver, its one of my favorite Garands to fire

If I had to take a guess at value I would say 1100 to 1500 with no box or original paperwork.
Now if you had one like this,
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/185754-secretary-of-the-navy-m1-garand/

You found a great rifle, enjoy.

Here is an update with reloaded ammo at 100yds. The rifle is accurate, but the shooter needs improvement. 2 shots are with 42 grs of IMR 4895 and the other 15 shoots are with 42.6 to 42.8 grs if IMR 4895. I used 9 1/2 Remington primer and 168 grs Nostler bullet.

42 grains (1 shot in 8 & 9)
42.6 to 42.8 (1 in 9, 14 in 10)

I went distinguished with my MK2 Mod1

Nice. Somewhere out here is my friends dad's coast guard award rifle (also 308). His mom sold it to a local shop without telling anyone so we missed any chance of getting it back. They were living in cambridge when she sold it.

very cool rifle

Can't wait to see this one in person at some point. Did you shoot the group with a sling or off the table?

That's the sort of find that we all dream about.

So you were the guy at the range on Sunday. Nice meeting you Mendoza. This rifle looks amazing and the balance from the weights makes it really easy to handle.