by Scott A. Duff
Two telescope-mounted versions of the M1 rifle were
developed at Springfield Armory for use by snipers. They were designated the M1C and M1D.
The M1D was adopted as substitute standard in September
1944. The M1D utilized a machined base fitted around the chamber end of the
barrel and secured with a pin to attach the telescope mount. There is no evidence that M1Ds were produced
for distribution during World War II.
Further, other than a few rifles used during development, it is believed
that all M1Ds were created by rebuilding existing service rifles beginning in
the early 1950s and continuing through at least the late 1960s.
The M1D design was invented and patented by John C.
Garand and was intended to allow conversion from service rifle to sniper rifle
at the support maintenance level. Most
M1D rifles were equipped with the M84 telescope and 7/8" diameter
mount. However, examples rebuilt in the
1960s have been observed with the Weaver K4 telescope and 1" diameter
mount. M1D rifles equipped with the K4
scope were issued to National Guard units in the 1960s for riot suppression
during anti-Vietnam War and civil rights disturbances.
As all M1D rifles were rebuilt rifles, the receiver may
be of any manufacture and of any serial number produced prior to the date of
the rebuild. The same applies to the
individual components, any part made prior to the date of the rebuild is
correct. All M1D barrels were made by
Springfield Armory. The earliest
observed M1D barrel is dated 5-51. M1D
barrels have been counterfeited and merit carefully examination. Nearly all M1D barrels were stamped with
drawing number D7312555. M1D
barrels manufactured through the fall of 1952 had the drawing number stamped on
the top, underneath the rear hand guard.
M1D barrels manufactured after the fall of 1952 had the drawing number
stamped on the right side, adjacent to the date.
The total number of service grade rifles converted by the
military to M1D configuration is unknown.
However, it is certain that well over 10,000 were converted. No less than 5,000 M1Ds were sold or given
to foreign nations. In 1993 and 1994
over 6,000 M1D rifles were deemed obsolete and destroyed under orders from the
Secretary of the Army. Beginning in
1995, M1D rifles were sold by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM), the
forerunner to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) to qualified
individuals. The total number sold to
date is unknown, but it is the author's opinion that the quantity is between
3,000 and 4,000.
Many M1D rifles have been assembled by individuals from
loose Government surplus barrels. They
are generally deemed to be of less value than military-built M1Ds. Collectors consider proper CMP or DCM
release papers to be one of the few ways to verify an M1D. CMP/DCM sales M1Ds are considered to be of
the highest monetary value. Two other
types of military-produced M1Ds exist, but are less common. In the early 1990s, a very small quantity
was released through the U. S. Army Center for Military History (CMH) Title X
trade program. Also a small quantity of
M1Ds was imported from Israel in the late 1980s. Legitimate M1D rifles are historically significant and are
highly sought after by collectors.
Additional information on this most interesting M1 rifle
variant is contained in The M1 Garand: World War II by Scott A.
Duff. An autographed copy of this book
may be purchased through this website’s Scott Duff Publication Books section.