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Title:RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE GARAND T3E1 .276 SN# 1
Maker/Manufacturer:GARAND, JOHN C.
Date of Manufacture:10/01/1929
Eminent Figure:GARAND, JOHN CANTIUS
Catalog Number:SPAR 918
Measurements:OL: 19CM 7 1/2"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE GARAND T3E1 .276 SN# 1
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in October, 1929 - Working model receiver and trigger guard assembly of experimental semi-automatic rifle T3E1. Natural metal finish. Gas piston. Gas port in counterbore at muzzle. Rear sight and clip latch areas of receiver are recognizable as predecessors of the adopted M1 rifle. This was the only T3E1 manufactured. Appears to be complete and is in excellent condition.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. SEMI-AUTO T3E1/GARAND PATENTS CAL. 276/SPRINGFIELD ARMORY OCT. 1929/NO.1. ROUND IN MAGAZINE.

Receiver transferred to the Museum on 22 June 1942. At that time weapon was appraised at $20.00.

Exhibit label: "EXPERIMENTAL RECEIVER - The final design of the receiver of the now famous M1 rifle is apparent in this early experimental model. It was produced under John Garand's supervision at the Armory in October, 1929."

See O.O. 474.2/1032. S.A. 474.2/423.

AR, 1930 - Garand Semi-automatic rifles - As a result of the tests of the above board, this Armory was directed to manufacture (a) One caliber .276 Garand Semi-automatic Rifle T3E1 in which the weaknesses of the Garand rifle presented to the Board, and developed by the test, are to be corrected; (b) Twenty additional Caliber .276 Garand Semi-automatic rifles T3E1 similar to (a) above for service test by the Infantry and Cavalry Boards; and (c) One caliber .30 Garand Semi-automatic Rifle T1 which is to be submitted to the Ordnance Office. Work has progressed on these twenty-two rifles during the fiscal year and it is expected that they will be ready for delivery and shipment during October, 1930."
AR, 1931 - "On November 21, 1929, as result of the 1929 official tests by the War Department's Board, this Armory was directed to make 20 Cal. .276 guns for test by the Infantry and Cavalry Schools and one Cal..30 gun.
Having a number of ideas for improving upon the design of the T3 (Cal..276 gun) which had been tested by the 1929 Board) Mr. Garand had already made some experimental changes therein; and had even completed in October 1929, a gun (essentially a new gun although it utilized some components of the T3) which is known as the T3E1.
Even that T3E1 gun was modified after completion, and the twenty guns took advantage as far as possible of improvements resulting from its Armory tests. The twenty guns are therefore called T3E2. The first of these, #9, was completed January 31, 1931, and the remainder (#1-8 and #10-20) with 2000 clips on April 10, 1931. These were made in the Model shop by toolmakers and with standard machinery but each cut was made seriatim on the twenty units, and their components have almost complete interchangeability. These guns have behaved very well in quite extensive firings.

Notes: "The improved Garand of Cal..276 now nearly completed; marked 'U.S. Semi-Auto. Rifle T3E1 Garand Patents Cal..276 Springfield Armory Oct. 1929.' Same principle as item 'E' (T3) but gas port in barrel near muzzle and other differences." - Letter to Chief Of Ordnance, 11/12/1929.

DISPOSITION OF OTHER T3 GARANDS THAT WERE IN MUSEUM COLLECTION:
Army #2580 - T3 SN# 20 - Transferred to the USMC Museum
Army #5578 - T3 SN# 18 - Transferred to Aberdeen 4/2/51.
Army #5589 - T3 SN# 17 - Transferred to Aberdeen 4/2/51.

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