Developed in 1944, the M1C was the first production-level sniper variant of the M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle. While highly effective as a sniper weapon, the manufacturing process was rather involved, requiring a Springfield receiver to be selected off the production line before heat treating, shipped to Griffin & Howe for base installation, and then returned to the Armory to complete the process. While phased out of production in favor of the M1D, which could be produced in-house by Springfield using finished and surplus M1 rifles, the M1C saw sniper duty through Korea and into Vietnam. Less than 8,000 were completed during WW II, with a batch of converted but unassembled receivers finished up circa 1951-1953 for Korea, resulting in a total production of less than 13,000. This example has a receiver originally manufactured in March of 1945, with a "S-A-5-52" Springfield barrel, "DRC" marked windage drum, "NI-C" elevation drum, Springfield bolt, hammer, trigger housing and uncut operating rod. The scope base is secured to the receiver with the proper two-pin/three-screw arrangement, and numbered "359 8188", the ring base is stamped "3373633", and the scope body marked "TELESCOPE M82/SERIAL NO. 35972/STOCK NO. 84374". Smooth pistol grip stock, with a circled "P" stamp on the underside, "S.A./N.F.R." and "crossed cannons" on the left, a "MRT/10-52" cheekpiece (laced on, but not screwed in) and a steel buttplate. A "H" marked M2 flash hider is also included.

Very fine, with 95% of the arsenal refurbished parkerized finish, showing some bright edge/cycling wear, mild handling marks and a small amount of spotting. The re-oiled stock is fine, with some clearly visible cartouche scuffs and stains, with the cheekpad showing heavy verdigris. The optics show a slight haze but are otherwise in good order, with mild wear on the exterior. Mechanically excellent.