M1 T26 marked "Experimental"

[slick44]

I had an older woman bring this by my shop today and ask me what it's worth...said her dad had it after WWII and her never fired it...it looked like it was mint condition and kept very well. No brand name or serial numbers except on the bolt but markings on the action are distinctive...appreciate any answers.

I have a bunch more pictures also.

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/Grenade/20230110_151534.jpg

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/Grenade/20230110_151608.jpg

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/Grenade/20230110_151620.jpg

[SkyHawk]

my gut tells me it may be very valuable


I'm sure everyone here is going to want to see all the pics, this could be something special that we see auctioned off by Rock Island, and we can say we saw it here first

[Quiet]

AFAIK...
Only 150 PWB M1 rifles (18" barrel, cut down front handguard, standard rifle stock) were made by the 6th US Army Group in the Philippines and tested in the Pacific theater during WW2 (1944-1945).
There are only two documented PWB M1 rifles that survived and they are both in museums.

It could be a reproduction, because all of the authentic PWB M1 rifles were made using Springfield Armory made/marked receivers.

[Capybara]

That is a super cool rifle! I think I may have seen these models mentioned in the history of Garand development in a book somewhere. I can't recall where I saw it but I agree, I think this could be a unicorn.

[freonr22]

Awesomeness

[slick44]

Yeah I read about the contract to the Philippines for 150-200 modified M1's but there were a 2-3 factory test models produced...one blew up...another is in the Springfield museum and if there was a third they don't know what happened to it...and why would her dad have it after WWII? To me it looks real....I have a few M1 Garands and sold some real beauty's...but my gut tells me it's too good to be true...I'd like to verify it some how...

[SoldierLife7]

That's really cool.

I hope someone here is able to help identify it and put a value on it...

[IronsightsRifleman]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[Quiet]

Yeah I read about the contract to the Philippines for 150-200 modified M1's but there were a 2-3 factory test models produced...one blew up...another is in the Springfield museum and if there was a third they don't know what happened to it...and why would her dad have it after WWII? To me it looks real....I have a few M1 Garands and sold some real beauty's...but my gut tells me it's too good to be true...I'd like to verify it some how...

According to the Springfield Armory National Historical Museum, only one T26 rifle was ever made and tested. There was an order for 15,000 T26 rifles but production never started due to WW2 ending.

Before they made the T26, Springfield Armory had made the M1E5 which had troubles during testing.
All surviving M1E5 are at the Springfield Armory National Historical Museum.

(top) Springfield Armory T26 (bottom) PWB M1


Springfield Armory M1E5

[slick44]

Here's a few more pictures...looks like a Rock Island serial on the Trigger group?

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/JC%20AUDIO/20230110_152736.jpg

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/JC%20AUDIO/20230110_152712.jpg

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/JC%20AUDIO/20230110_152706.jpg

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/JC%20AUDIO/20230110_152650.jpg

http://grecosinc.com/uploads/JC%20AUDIO/20230110_152203.jpg

[Quiet]

Probably need to contact the Springfield Armory National Historical Museum or Cody Firearms Museum or NRA National Firearms Museum to have it examined to determine if its authentic.

Because if its authentic, contact an auction house (Morphy Auction, Rock Island Auction, etc) to have it sold for $$$$$$$.

[slick44]

According to the Springfield Armory National Historical Museum, only one T26 rifle was ever made and tested. There was an order for 15,000 T26 rifles but production never started due to WW2 ending.

Before they made the T26, Springfield Armory had made the M1E5 which had troubles during testing.
All surviving M1E5 are at the Springfield Armory National Historical Museum.

(top) Springfield Armory T26 (bottom) PWB M1


Springfield Armory M1E5

I read through the website and the story goes that they made a few of the M1E5 which didn't pass even the Springfield testing due to inaccuracies and fouling due to the slow burn powder back then...after the Philippine contract they went back to the drawing board and produced the T26...in which one blew up in testing and was scraped out the other IA in their museum...I could've sworn I read somewhere there was a 3rd T26 that never was found...can't find that read again of course...it's probably a reproduction but why the awesome looking label on the back and lack of serials on basically all other parts? It's a noodle scratcher to me...thank you for your input and replies...much obliged for that...wish I could figure out who produced it?

[slick44]

Probably need to contact the Springfield Armory National Historical Museum or Cody Firearms Museum or NRA National Firearms Museum to have it examined to determine if its authentic.

Because if its authentic, contact an auction house (Morphy Auction, Rock Island Auction, etc) to have it sold for $$$$$$$.

Sounds like good advice...I'll check it out tomorrow....that gives me a place to start thank you!

Minimum maybe I'll find out what to tell the nice elderly lady

[223556]

This is going to be interesting! I don’t think anyone said it yet but keep us updated!
Would love to hear more about this rifle.

[slick44]

Will do for sure....I'll post soon as I get some answers...or more questions Lol.