Manufactured in April of 1939, this very early M1 Garand rifle would have been in the original "Gas Trap" configuration, which would be retired in favor of the gas port arrangement that would see the M1 through the rest of its service life. Many of these early Garands were destined for field testing and subjected to rough use and incremental upgrades. Including welding the internal en bloc clip guide in the center of the internal receiver, AKA "seven shot alteration". Blade front sight with screw plug and peep rear sight with a "BATTLE RANGE" elevation drum and "Type One" locking bar. The barrel is marked "S-A 2-41", with a "2SA" bolt, "C 46025" trigger guard with concentric rings, "D 28290" trigger housing, "C 46015-3" safety, "C 46008-1" hammer with hole, "B8869" follower arm, and "D35382-0" slant cut unrelieved operating rod. Smooth pistol grip stock with an unserifed circled "P" stamp on the wrist, "S.A./G.H.S." and "crossed cannons" on the left side, a brown leather sling and a steel buttplate.

Very fine as arsenal overhauled, with 90% of the parkerized finish, showing patches of rough oxidization, especially on the floorplate, along with some cycling wear and handling marks. The gas tube has turned a pale gray overall, with traces of dark finish near the stacking swivel. The stock is fine, with clearly visible cartouche, a number of dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The barrel's bore in near mirror with nice rifling. MW measures at less than 1, about a .8 and the TE measures at 1, indicating an excellent barrel, for the 2 - 41 stamp.