Rifleman Q&A: What Does My Garand Stock Stamp Mean?

by
posted on March 14, 2021
cartt.jpg

Q: I have an M1 Garand rifle that has “SA/EMcF” on the left side of the stock. Is the marking from the inspection process, and is it possible to know who approved my rifle?

A: The marking on the stock is the “Final Inspection Stamp,” often colloquially called a “cartouche,” which signifies that the rifle passed all requisite Ordnance inspections and was accepted by the government.

The “SA” indicates manufacture at Springfield Armory, and “EMcF” represents Col. (later Brig. Gen.) Earl McFarland, the commanding officer of Springfield Armory from June 11, 1942, through July 31, 1943. M1 rifles manufactured at Springfield from circa 1941 through circa 1952 were so stamped, although Ordnance personnel operating under the CO’s authority performed the actual inspections.

Those rifles manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. during World War II were stamped “WRA” along with the initials of the Head of the Hartford Ordnance District. After 1952, this practice ceased and was superseded by the “Defense Acceptance Stamp,” a “spread eagle” under three stars.

Latest

Century BFT 01
Century BFT 01

New For 2024: Century Arms BFT74 & BFT556

Century Arms expanded its AK-style BFT rifle line in 2024 with two new models chambered for 5.56 NATO and 5.45x39 mm, respectively.

Preview: Armaspec SRS AR-15 Kit

This Armaspec upgrade to the AR-15’s standard buffer and spring includes a trio of interchangeable buffer weights that allow the user to tune it to his or her rifle/load.

Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive KelTec KS7

Join American Rifleman staff on the range this week with a unique version of KelTec's KS7 bullpup shotgun.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 1, 2024

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

Hydra Weaponry Expands To New Facility

Hydra Weaponry—the designer and manufacturer of the modular Marck-15 Hydra Weapon System and Maine’s largest firearm employer—has expanded into a larger facility.

Review: Bushmaster M4A2 Patrolman's Carbine

The M4A2 Patrolman’s Carbine from Bushmaster Firearms is the first in a line of AR-15s designed to bring back the standard, carbine-length firearms that have long been a staple of American shooting enthusiasts.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.