M1 T26 marked "Experimental"

[kendog4570]

Blow up the first pic and take a real hard look at the characters. Sure do look like they are done with a CNC to me. Definitely not roll stamped.

How many CNC mills did the Pac War Board have back in 45?
Could also have been marked with a pantograph and be legit. I would like to see the rest of it in detail.

[SonofWWIIDI]

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...110_151620.jpg

[SkyHawk]

Blow up the first pic and take a real hard look at the characters. Sure do look like they are done with a CNC to me. Definitely not roll stamped.

How many CNC mills did the Pac War Board have back in 45?
Could also have been marked with a pantograph and be legit. I would like to see the rest of it in detail.

I was also trying to get a good look at the letters but it is hard to say what is real and what is aliasing added by either the unknown camera and/or the image host or any photo editor that was in the mix.

But you would think if it was CNC then it should have a serial number and makers mark somewhere to be legal, and if the story is true (had it since after ww2) then it could not be cnc.

I don't see cnc here, it looks like it could be rolled but what do I know

[sandsnow]

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

You could try contacting Bruce Canfield or Scott Duff. Two well known experts on Garands

[BrokerB]

Weird, very good condition.

Just in case... I bid Tree fitty!

[Spyder]

Hell, even if reproduction, it's cool as heck and I want it!

[slick44]

Yes very good idea, I will give her a call this morning and find out everything she knows about her fathers service and when and where he actually came into position of the rifle.

[slick44]

I was also trying to get a good look at the letters but it is hard to say what is real and what is aliasing added by either the unknown camera and/or the image host or any photo editor that was in the mix.

But you would think if it was CNC then it should have a serial number and makers mark somewhere to be legal, and if the story is true (had it since after ww2) then it could not be cnc.

I don't see cnc here, it looks like it could be rolled but what do I know

That's exactly what's peeked my interest is there's no markers mark and no serial number on the rifle itself...the barrel looks to be made that length and not cut down...and yes it is in mint condition...while giving it a look I kept thinking to myself it looks new...the lady said she had someone tell her if it can be authenticated they'd give her $75K for it...she tends to want it to go to a museum if it's real.

[slick44]

I was also trying to get a good look at the letters but it is hard to say what is real and what is aliasing added by either the unknown camera and/or the image host or any photo editor that was in the mix.

But you would think if it was CNC then it should have a serial number and makers mark somewhere to be legal, and if the story is true (had it since after ww2) then it could not be cnc.

I don't see cnc here, it looks like it could be rolled but what do I know

Wonder what the BD. would stand for??

[SkyHawk]

Wonder what the BD. would stand for??

My first guess is "Board"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Garand

Nonetheless, by late 1944 the Pacific Warfare Board (PWB) decided to move forward with the development of a shortened M1 rifle.

[SkyHawk]

The one thing that has me questioning the marks are how perfect they are (spacing, alignment etc). In the M1E5 example that Quiet gave, you can see the stamping was likely done by hand as would be expected for only a handful of rifles to be so marked.

In order for the markings we see in the OP to be so perfect, they would have had to make a die. I am not sure why they would do that if only a few rifles were to be marked as such

[slick44]

The one thing that has me questioning the marks are how perfect they are (spacing, alignment etc). In the M1E5 example that Quiet gave, you can see the stamping was likely done by hand as would be expected for only a handful of rifles to be so marked.

In order for the markings we see in the OP to be so perfect, they would have had to make a die. I am not sure why they would do that if only a few rifles were to be marked as such

Yeah I've questioned that myself, at the same time I question why no makers mark or serial numbers? I need to get a hold of her to find out a more thorough history of her dad and the rifle...once I get everything she knows I'll start calling or emailing people. She came in yesterday towards the end of the day and I was so intrigued by the rifle I let her get away without asking all the questions I knew I'd need. She was not about to leave it with me, I asked but she she said no, she also said she has a 1937 "1911" with the factory box! But she didn't bring it with her!

[Spyder]

she tends to want it to go to a museum if it's real.

Very cool. Good for her.

[kendog4570]

It could very well be legit.

About 12 years ago a shop that I used to do some random work for had an Ainsworth inspected 7-1/2" Colt Single Action come out of the woodwork. 1874 production, not a known Custer gun. Came into their shop in a box in pieces. Shop owner didn't know exactly what he bought and wanted me to refinish and assemble it. After looking in the box and a few cursory inspections of the various parts, I said hold up here! Turns out it was all there and basically unfired. The external was very brown, but the insides were as new as I have ever seen. Carefully put it back together and it sold to a very knowledgeable collector for $10500 as a 10% gun.He said the inspectors stamp on the stocks was one of the best Ainsworth's he'd ever seen. If we had refinished it we could have multiplied is value by 1/4!


Between this rifle and the phantom 1911 it sounds like the lady knows more than she is letting on...

[kendog4570]

The one thing that has me questioning the marks are how perfect they are (spacing, alignment etc)....

Thats what I was thinking. Look real close and you can see what appear to be rotational tools marks in the letters, like it was done on a modern programmable mill. Of course, this could have also been done at that time with a motorized engraver like a New Hermes.

Would the ordnance people simply stamp further ID marks in with the existing roll stamps of a run of the mill receiver? Or would they completely mechanically scrub the heel and remark it as such? I'm thinking the former, unless this was some kind of presentation piece to an acceptance board and prettied up as much as they could.
The top of the A in "WAR" is applied over a ding and the finish is in both, and the heel looks like it was scrubbed. Also, the op rod joint weld sticks out noticeably. Overall in the pictures provided it looks in excellent condition.