english

ptrthgr8 Premium Fotki Member

1954 HRA M1 Garand -

This M1 Garand was manufactured by the Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. of Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1953 or 1954 (per the S/N range). Post-WW2 production records aren't quite as extensive as those from WW2, so it's a little harder to accurately determine the exact date of production. However, the barrel is dated March 1954 and is also made by the H&R Arms Co, so it's very likely this is the original barrel. HRA Garands are generally the most well-made Garands, from a machining perspective, since the Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. had been in the business of making rather nice sporting firearms for the civilian market long before they ever received the government contract to make M1 Garands during the Korean War. This is definitely a nice rifle. :)

       
    
    
  • (Anonymously) (Private Message) 12/29/08 4:10 PM
    54 HRA triggergroup2

    This appears to be an older trigger group with the milled trigger guard. HRA stamped their guards and HRA with the drawing number would be on the group.

    reply   

  • (Anonymously) (Private Message) 12/29/08 4:01 PM
    54 HRA barreldate

    I don't know if this is correct or not but I read on another website that the punchmark by the P on the barrel indicates if it's a replacement or not. The webise stated that if the punch is inside the loop of the P it's an original but if outside it's a replacement.

    reply   

  • Jack Saltsman (Private Message) 03/15/05 7:42 PM
    54 HRA rec

    Looks like I got the twin (almost) to your HRA...mine 4725961 with a 3-54 barrel. It is a USMC (O-66) rebuild not a DCM that I came across in 1983. Had never been fired since rebuild...only the barrel and receiver are HRA, the rest is SA including the stock (J.L.G.)

    Thanks for site
    Jack Saltsman (Snoopy on the boards)

    reply   

  • Larry Stauch (Private Message) 12/29/04 4:36 PM
    54 HRA rec

    It looks like the bolt is the only thing different from HRA. The SA means Springfield Armory if I'm not mistaken.

    reply   

  • ptrthgr8 Premium user United States (Private Message) 03/13/04 1:42 PM
    NM oprod3

    Yeah, it's very similar. I wasn't sure what it was for, either. Luckily, one of the Garand experts on Tuco's site mentioned the cloth and dab of gummy wax-like material were added to protect the rod while in storage; they're not intended to remain on the rod when installed. It made me scratch my head for a while, too. :)

    reply   

  • John (Private Message) 03/12/04 6:29 PM
    NM oprod3

    What is that on the end of your operating rod?
    Looks like cheese clothe.

    reply   

  • William Phinizy (Private Message) 02/08/04 3:28 PM
    54 HRA rec

    Just a word of praise on your fine H&R. I recently got my first through CMP (557XXXX) and I thought mine was in pretty good shape. After seeing your pictures, I am jealous!

    Please, please, please tell me you had yours restored. If not, clearly you have located a stash of them in an old abandoned warehose and, if so, would you be willing to deal the others off? Sorry for the mirth, but your rifle is absolutely stunning.

    By the way, I was concerned that my H&R receiver was misaligned in the stock until I saw that characteristic in other H&Rs. Turns out that the H&R stocks were milled with that asymetrical horseshoe in them -- at least according to a picture in one of Scott Duff's book.

    Thanks for posting the pictures and kindest regards.

    William Phinizy
    Southern California

    reply