This unique U.S. Springfield Armory Gas Trap M1 Garand rifle is an unserialized example, used for display purposes by the Army Ordnance Department, reportedly at one time part of a display to show the evolution of the gas system from the early Garand to the M14. A large oval plaque is affixed to the right side of the buttstock that has a DoD eagle above "U.S. RIFLE CAL. .30 M1/WITH 1936/SCREW ON TYPE GAS CYLINDER/AND FRONT SIGHT ASSEMBLY/CIRCA 1940/U.S. ARMY ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT/FOR DISPLAY ONLY". The rifle is accompanied by letters of provenance including one from former owner Burt Kellerstadt addressed to subsequent former owner Peter Cardone that states, "Bill Brophy told me about this rifle in the early 1980s and I asked him to see if it was for sale. He contacted his friend and fellow retired Ordnance Officer, who he never identified to me, and got a price from him that sounded fair to me, so he sent the rifle to Bill on approval and I picked it up and paid Bill for it. The story I got with the rifle was that Bills friend put this rifle together at the Armory from parts he gathered up and it was used in a display that showed the evolution of Garands gas systems from the .276 thru the T44 and M14. When the display was no longer needed, this rifle was supposed to be destroyed because it was not considered serviceable, but it was taken home and put into the Officers private gun collection, where it stayed until I showed interest in it and bought it in 1984. It was in my collection until you bought it in 1989." This rifle is also featured in the Winter 1989 Garand Collectors Association Newsletter, Volume 4, Number 1, in "Technical Analysis, A Careful Look at Original Rifles, Items furnished by Craig Kirkup" (pages 12-16 in the included hardcover book "The best of The GCA Journal Book 2"). The rifle has the rare original Gas Trap receiver without the seventh round stoppage modification stamped on the heel with "U.S. RIFLE/CAL..30 M1/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY" and without a serial number. The rifle has all the rare correct original components including an un-dated barrel with punch-mark in "P" proof and "N" on the right of the chamber, unmarked second type stainless steel gas cylinder, front sight marked with drawing number "SA 12703-0", unmarked unmodified early slant operating rod, keystone operating rod spring, "D28290" trigger housing, "C46008-1" hammer, "C46025" milled trigger guard, milled upper and lower hand guard bands, "D28287" bolt with "D1" heat lot code, elevation knob with solid arrows and checkered edges, windage knob with solid arrows and knurled edges, "B-8868-1" rear sight with checkered rear face, "B-8872-3" and a solid steel checkered buttplate. The oil-finished walnut stock has a circled "P" proof stamp on the front of the grip area. Blue finished barreled action and parkerized remaining components. Includes a "42" dated Boyt M1907 brown leather sling. Gas Trap M1 Garand rifles are among the rarest and most desirable of all U.S. military arms, with this Army Ordnance Department display rifle being a significant example. Provenance: Collection of an Unidentified Springfield Armory Ordnance Officer; Lieutenant Colonel William F. Brophy; The Burt Kellerstadt Collection; The Peter Cardone Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Exceptionally fine, retains 95% original blue and parkerized finished, with 20% original black painted finish at the edges of the gas trap. The stock is very fine with some scattered light scratches and dings, lightly aged golden patina on the display plaque, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. A Gas Trap M1 Garand rifle is a key piece in any advanced collection of U.S. military arms, and this Army Ordnance Department display rifle would make a fine centerpiece!