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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE M1D .30 SN# 996235
Maker/Manufacturer:	GARAND, JOHN C.
Date of Manufacture:	11/01/1942
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3371
Measurements:	OL:110.4C 43 1/2" BL: 60.9C 24"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE M1D .30 SN# 996235
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - The caliber .30 U.S. rifle M1D (Sniper's) is a gas-operated, semiautomatic, clip-fed, shoulder weapon used for sniping. It is identical to the caliber .30 U.S. rifle M1 except that a bracket is assembled to the rear end of the barrel for mounting a telescope. It also has a removable flash hider assembled to the front end of the barrel and cheek pad to the stock. This rifle is similar to the caliber .30 U.S. rifle M1C except for the method of mounting the telescope. The telescope can be mounted without removing the iron sights. Weapon weighs approximately 9 lbs. 12 oz. without equipment. Muzzle velocity of 2800 fps. Maximum range of 3500 yards. Weapon adopted in September 1944. Complete with M84 telescope sight SPAR-7196.

Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/CAL..30 M1/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/996235.
Bolt: D28287-19SA/B-18.
Barrel: 8-52.
Stock: P in circle. RIA/SB in rectangle.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 27 May 1965. At that time weapon was appraised at $207.00.

Notes: "During October 1944, a rifle having a new type mount was developed and standardized as U.S. Rifle Cal .30 M1D. The weapon was adopted as a substitute for the M1C, to be supplied, if facilities were not available to produce the complete requirement for the latter weapon. Development of improved telescopes was also furthered, resulting in standardization of the M84, and termination of further development on the M73 types." - Army Summary

"The M1D was adopted as substitute standard in September 1944. The M1D utilized a machine base fitted around the chamber end of the barrel secured with a pin to mount the telescope. There is no evidence that M1Ds were produced for distribution during World War II. Further, other than a few rifles used during development, it is believed that all M1Ds were created by rebuilding existing service rifles beginning in the early 1950s and continuing through the 1960s. The M1D design was intended to allow conversion at the support maintenance level. Most M1D rifles were equipped with the M84 telescope and 7/8" diameter mount, however examples have been observed with the Weaver K4 telescope and 1" diameter mount." - Duff

"M1D Sniper Rifle with T37 Flash Hider and M84 Telescopic Sight 1944-1967 - The M1D was often assembled at USMC base depots with the conversion from standard M1 to a sniping rifle. The M1D was based on M1 rifles manufactured by Springfield Armory, Harrington & Richardson, Winchester and even a few International Harvesters. The M2 flash hider was often thrown away (lost) in combat because the loose fit and lack of symmetry had an adverse effect on the rifle's accuracy." - Major Edward J. Land, Jr., USMC

"MYTH: One inch M1D mounts were modified by the U.S. military to fit other types of commercial scopes.
FACT: The only commercial telescopes found in use on one inch M1D mounts by the U.S. military have been Weaver K4 60B variants." - The Garand Stand Report, Fall, 2005.
"Small Arms Supplied to South Vietnam 1950-1975
Type Number
.38 Colt, S&W Revolvers 12,543
.45 cal. M1911 and other pistols 104,867
Submachine guns (M3 series, XM177 series) 1,374
.30 cal. M1 and M2 carbines 794,094
.30 cal. M1 rifles 220,302
.30 cal. M1C and M1D sniper rifles 520
5.56mm M16 series rifles 943,989
.30 cal. Browning Automatic Rifles 25,247
Shotguns 55,018
Total: 2,157,018"
- Edward C. Ezell, Small Arms Today.

References:
Duff, Scott A. THE M1 GARAND: OWNERS GUIDE. Scott DuGilbert, Adrian. SNIPER. St. Martin's Paperbacks. N.Y., N.Y. 1994.

SNL B-21, FM23-5, TM9-1275, TM9-2205.