Making The M1 Garand At International Harvester

by
posted on December 16, 2024
Making The Garand Receiver F
Image courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Illustration of the machining cuts required to make an M1 garand receiver.

At the dawn of the Atomic Age, the U.S. government implemented a policy of geographic dispersion for its small arms manufacturing. This policy, intended to limit the impact of a nuclear attack on domestic small arms manufacturing, led the government to approach International Harvester, a farm equipment producer based in Evansville, Ind., which was located more than 800 miles away from the traditional armsmaking hubs at Springfield, Mass., and New Haven, Conn.

In June 1951, International Harvester was given a contract for 100,000 M1 rifles, with deliveries scheduled to begin in December 1952. Problems plagued the manufacturing process, with International Harvester having to source components from subcontractors and requiring expert help from Springfield Armory to work through manufacturing problems. One of the biggest obstacles in making the M1 Garand was the intricate machining work required to create the receiver.

An article from the Spring 1954 issue of International Harvester Today, the company’s internal magazine, illustrated just how challenging it was to produce this central component. No fewer than 152 machining operations went into the creation of one receiver. Supporting text in the article outlines the “ordeal of the Garand,” in which completed rifles underwent testing at a nearby 100-yard range. Twenty-four rounds were fired for function, then eight rounds were fired for accuracy. All eight shots inside of a 5” circle was a passing grade.

Latest

Battle Of Bunker Hill 1
Battle Of Bunker Hill 1

The Battle of Bunker Hill: 250 Years Later

The June 17, 1775, Battle of Bunker Hill marked one of the most pivotal moments in the early years in the American Revolution, as thousands of militiamen stood against determined assaults by British infantry outside Boston.

Bunker Hill: The U.S. Army’s Baptism By Fire

On June 17, 1775, British infantrymen assembled at the base of Breed’s Hill, one of two promontories that comprised the Charlestown Heights outside of Boston.

New M1 Garands Being Offered By CMP

Made in Alabama by Heritage Arms USA, the Civilian Marksmanship Program is now accepting orders for newly manufactured M1 Garands.

Handloading The .270 WSM

More than 20 years after its introduction, this member of the Winchester Short Magnum family still provides useful power to short-action platforms—and staying power to the WSM line.

The Armed Citizen® June 16, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Guns Of Dr. Maynard

Dr. Edward Maynard, a Washington, D.C.-based dentist, developed a number of mechanical innovations for firearms, including a new ignition system and a cavalry carbine that saw use in the American Civil War.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.