IHC British proofs

[kecklc0203]

I picked this up today at the Wanamaker. I saw it Friday evening, and it was still there today. It’s very rough, but I finally got it for what I wanted after a coin toss with the dealer. Fortunately I sold a few things and could afford another Garand. He had other Garands Friday and sold them, this was left.

I’d appreciate some input on this one, and I can get more photos if needed. The receiver is outside of the SA/IHC from what I could tell? It falls in line with other Brit proof SN’s in Duff’s book.

IHC, everything I can see that’s marked is IHC. If there is something more I need to identify, I’d like to. This one seems very correct To me.

British proofs on the left side of the barrel and some very faint proofs on the left receiver side. Import marked on the right side of the barrel, I think it’s Fed Ord Inc, maybe Santa Monica CA?

https://imgur.com/a/04sJfww

[Nodak71]

This rifle appears to be mostly all IHC from what I am able to see, receiver is an IHC produced one. Looks like the correct barrel. Yes is a Federal Ordinance import apparently thru the UK. From my understanding all the firearms that go thru the UK have to be proofed. No idea where it would have come from to the UK, somewhere high humidity it appears. It looks like the receiver heel and some other parts have had the wire brush treatment? At least it looks to be scratches in the pictures. The bolt looks to me anyway to have been added as it is not in the same shape as the receiver and other parts. Others can add more no doubt.

[dewegner]

Maybe one the the Shah's rifles used in the salt marsh on the Persian gulf in the Iraq-Iran war...... It certainly is pitted enough to be.

[jeremy69]

The trigger housing stamp made me dizzy

[a31b20]

I believe that it’s “ FED ORD SO El MONTE CA “ Federal Ordnance was the importer ...had an IHC so marked

[Ronwall]

I have a IHC 4.51 with a Brit proof stamp on the barrel and a BNP stamp on the receiver but no importer stamp. I've always thought that to be odd.

[d.swider777]

Looks like an awesome rifle to me! I love those rifles that have a lot of character and I’d be proud to have it in my collection

[kecklc0203]

Thanks Ronwall, and d.swider777, I think so too. I bought it because it appeared very original, it needed a home, and it will fit well with my other Garands. The import is light on this one, was very hard to make out.

[MLD]

I like the character. Had a story to tell. How’s the bore?

[kecklc0203]

Muzzle is over a 3, my gauge fell in. There is rifling left, but I haven’t cleaned it up enough to tell.

I’m going to tear it down and remove rust, then oil and reassemble, and stick it in my safe.