This is a desirable example of a World War II M1C Garand sniper rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory in June of 1945, subsequently reconfigured into a U.S.M.C. MC-1 type sniper rifle. During World War II (late 1944-mid 1945) approximately 4,000 M1C sniper rifles were manufactured by Springfield Armory, and most were refurbished at the start of the Korean War. Hundreds were transferred to NATO allies in the 1960s and hundreds more destroyed in the 1980/90s. Following the Korean War, the Marine Corps adopted the new/improved Stith Kollmorgen MC-1 4X telescopic sight with the larger Griffin & Howe mount adapted for use on the M1C sniper rifle. The Marines designated these rifles as the "1952 Sniper Rifle" and issued them in limited numbers from 1954 through 1967. All of the verified USMC 1952 MC-1 Sniper Rifles are built using original Springfield Armory Korean War rebuilds such as this rifle. Included with this rifle is a May 27th, 1975 dated notarized copy of a memorandum of record from the Quantico U.S. Marine Corps Museum states, "This is to certify that on 12 June 1970 U.S. Rifle Caliber .30 M1C (Sniper) Serial No. 3373948, with fixed Telescopic Sight Mount Base (without equipment, but otherwise as formerly issued in U.S. Marine Corps) was transferred from this Establishment to Lawrence R. Smith." and signed "G. A. Costner/Curator/History & Technology". Blade and peep sights, "DRC" windage knob, "SA 6 53" barrel, and "SA" bolt, trigger housing, hammer, safety, and relief cut operating rod. The receiver has been drilled and tapped for the Griffin & Howe pattern post and screw arrangement affixed with the unmarked Griffin & Howe scope mount. The ring base bears the Griffin & Howe address on top, "T4" is stamped on the back of each ring half, and the scope is marked "MC953-P" on the tube to denote it as being part of the original first U.S.M.C. contract for these scopes, and "BEAR CUB 4X DOUBLE/KOLLMORGEN OPTICAL CORP. BROOKLYN. N.Y. PAT. PEND." around the objective. The scope is fitted with windage and elevation knobs and the standard fine cross-hair reticle. Circled serifed "P" proof marked on the bottom of the stock wrist, with a checkered steel buttplate. Includes an olive drab green canvas sling, "MRT/1 52" leather cheek pad, cleaning kit, storm queen rubber scope lens cover, M2 cone flash hider, and canvas "U.S." "B.L. '44" muzzle cover.

Exceptionally fine as issued, with 98% plus arsenal refurbished parkerized finish, showing a few scratches on the operating rod, some light wear on the muzzle end from mounting of the flash hider, and some light handling marks. Stock is excellent with defined edges, some light handling marks, a moderate chip at the front edge of the pistol grip, and a crisp proof mark. The excellent scope shows a strong enamel finish with some scratches and light wear, and the optics are crisp and clear. Mechanically excellent. As an exceptional example of a true MC-1 Garand sniper rifle with U.S.M.C. contract Kollmorgen scope, including important impeccable documentation to prove it as being right out of Marine Corps inventory, this would be a prized centerpiece in any U.S. Military collection!