Late WWII production (March 1945) Springfield Armory M1C Sniper rifle rebuilt by Springfield Armory during the Korean War (c. 1952) and fitted with a USMC Stith Kollmorgen MC-1 telescopic sight with special Griffin & Howe mount and rings. This rifle was originally one of the approximately 7,900 M1C Sniper Rifles manufactured by the SA from January-December 1945. The WWII production M1C rifles fall generally within the 3,250,000 - 3,790,000 serial number range. This rifle was rebuilt by Springfield Armory during the Korean War and has a mismatched telescopic sight bracket serial numbered "3638980" and a Korean War production Springfield Armory barrel dated "S-A-7-51". The serial number on the bottom of the sight bracket has the distinctive flat top "3" utilized when the bracket was stamped with the serial number by Griffin &Howe in 1945. The left side of the butt is stamped with the Springfield rebuild inspection mark that consists of "SA" enclosed in a rectangle with open bottom. Following the Korean War the Marine Corps adopted the 4X Stith Kollmorgen MC-1 telescopic sight with a larger Griffin & Howe mount and one-inch rings for use on the M1C sniper rifles. The Marines designated these rifles as the "1952 Sniper Rifle" and issued them is limited numbers from c.1954-1967. Small numbers on 1952 Sniper Rifles were used during the first years of the Vietnam War. Nearly all of the verified USMC 1952 Sniper Rifles are Springfield Armory Korean War rebuilds like this rifle. This rifle has the first contract MC-1 telescopic sight with high polish blue/black tube marked "MC 1039-P" on the top. The eye-piece is roll-stamped with the "U.S." property mark and "FSN-1240-647-1106" in two lines. The two-piece parkerized rings have allen head screws and are marked "T4" on the front face. The First Style MC-1 mount is parkerized and has distinctive angular locking levers. The top of the base is roll stamped "GRIFFIN & HOWE INC. NEW YORK/PAT. #1.856,549 MAY 3, 1932". The scope has large windage and elevation knobs that produce an audible click when turned and a fine cross-hair reticle. The rifle has the typical gray-green parkerized finish with post WWII components that include T105 rear sight, "D35382 6 SA" operating rod with relief cut, split lower handguard band pin and poppet valve gas cylinder lock screw. The rifle has an early milled trigger guard. Most documented USMC 1952 sniper rifles are fitted with milled trigger guards. These trigger guards were installed by the Marines because they provided a tighter lock-up than the later stamped trigger guards. The forearm, hand-guard and stock are matching oil finished walnut. The bottom of the pistol grip is stamped with a circled block "P" proof mark. The stock is fitted with a WWII production "K-LINE" lace on russet leather cheekpiece issued with WWII production M1C rifles. The barrel is fitted with a stamped M2 Flash Hider stamped with the nomenclature and "HART MFG. Co.". This rifle is not one of the M1C rifles sold by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship in 1994, however it appears to be an original WWII SA M1C rifle rebuilt by Springfield Armory c. 951-52. It is identical in configuration to the very few documented USMC 1952 Sniper Rifles. The Marine MC-1 telescopic sights with original Griffin & Howe mounts are rare and avidly sought by collectors.

Excellent. This rifle retains 98% of the parkerized finish and shows minimal wear. All of the components appear to be original to this rifle and remain in as issued condition. The stock, handguard and forearm are near mint with untouched raised grain and sharp proof and inspection marks. The scopic sight has clear optics. The windage and elevation knobs turn freely. The scope tube retains 98% plus of the deep blue/black finish. The markings on the tube and eye-piece are perfect. The front of the scope has several shallow dents and scratches and there are some light scratches on the upper edges of the windage and elevation knobs. The rings and base retain 99% of the parkerized finish. The cheek-piece is very good with clear markings. Two of the brass grommets have pulled out of the leather and there are some scattered handling marks on the sides of the cheekpiece. This is an exceptional example of a very scarce and desirable SA M1 Garand USMC 1952 Sniper rifle that would be difficult to upgrade.