Lot 224

U.S. Springfield M1 Garand Rifle with Experimental Plastic Stock

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U.S. Springfield M1 Garand Rifle with Experimental Plastic Stock

Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000

Starting Bid: $5,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

U.S. Springfield Armory M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle with Rare Experimental Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Stock The serial number dates to November 1942, with an "S-A-1-47" marked barrel. This M1 Garand is wearing a rare experimental lightweight fiberglass reinforced plastic stock. Victory Plastic Company produced 100 of these fiberglass reinforced plastic stocks in 1954 for U.S. military testing per page 486 of "The M1 Garand Rifle" by Bruce Canfield. There are most certainly only a small fraction of these stocks surviving today. There were two main types of these experimental fiberglass reinforced stocks made, with this type having its own distinct shape with grasping grooves the length on either side. After World War II, U.S. Ordnance set out to try and improve some of the noted shortcomings of the M1 Garand rifle. The concept of plastic stocks was given serious consideration into the early 1950s, and a survey was conducted by U.S. Ordnance c. 1953 to determine the feasibility of using compression-molded plastic stocks for the M1 Garand rifle, to which this limited run of stocks was the result. These stocks were likely viewed as a potential cost effective/manufacturing efficiency measure while utilizing the advantages of high strength materials with much lighter weight compared to walnut stocks. The stocks were put through extensive testing to include function, accuracy, and capability for grenade launching. The limited surviving examples of these experimental stock equipped rifles are known to be in varying configurations, with some chambered for early T65 variant experimental 7.62mm NATO cartridges and with special sights, indicating these rifles were used in numerous types of testing in the 1950s during the transitional period leading up to the official adoption of the M14 rifle. This rifle is chambered in .30-06 Springfield, with standard blade and peep iron sights. The tests were reportedly encouraging, and further research was performed to explore fabrication of molds for larger scale production of these fiberglass reinforced plastic stocks, although it appears there is no evidence to suggest more were actually made. The stock is comprised of an internal plastic structure surrounded by a fiberglass reinforced outer shell, and a hard foam type compartment insert inside the buttstock. The number "49" is etched on the rear of the stock and repeated in yellow paint (concealed beneath the buttplate) as well as etched on the interior of the butt compartment door. The rifle has a lockbar rear sight assembly, "-12SA/S-A1" bolt, "SA" relief cut operating rod with additional "T27" experimental marking in reference to the arsenal modified cut ahead of the charging handle to accommodate a full auto transfer bar (there are no provisions in the rifle itself to allow full auto capability), "-12-SA" trigger housing, "-7 SA" hammer, and "-1-SA" milled trigger guard.

Manufacturer: Springfield Armory U.S.

Model: M1 Garand

BBL: 24 inch round

Stock: synthetic

Gauge: 30-06 Springfield

Finish: parkerized

Serial Number995250

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine, retains 97% plus arsenal refurbished parkerized finish, with light cycling wear and sharp markings. The stock is very fine, with light handling marks, remaining sound. Mechanically excellent. A very rare opportunity to acquire a U.S. Springfield Armory M1 Garand rifle with an experimental fiberglass reinforced plastic stock!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000