Shortly after the end of World War I, the Ordnance Department began to experiment with semi-automatic type arms with a view to replacing the manually operated Model 1903 service rifle, by a mechanically operated arm which would give a greater volume of fire with less fatigue to the operator.  J. C. Garand of the Springfield Armory developed such a system.  It underwent many progressive improvements and modifications until it emerged in 1936 in its present form, a gas-operated, clip-fed, semi-automatic shoulder arm.  The front sight is protected by wings.  The rear sight, of aperture type, is set on a stem at the rear of the receiver and is capable of horizontal and vertical adjustment by elevation and windage knobs, accompanied by audible clicks.  The rear sight is graduated to 1,200 yards.  The rifle used regular service ammunition loaded in clips of 8 rounds, arranged zig-zag fashion. 

     Our specimen is marked on the back of the receiver “U.S. RIFLE” “CAL. .30 M-1” “SPRINGFIELD “ARMORY” and the serial number 5314834, in 5 lines.  The top of the receiver is marked “6528287-SA” and U53” in two lines.  There is a nice cartouche on the left side of the stock marked with an eagle under 3 stars and a “P” behind the trigger guard. This piece was purchased new from the U.S. Government.