FedEx should deliver my first M1 Garands tomorrow.  I ordered 2 Service Grades from the CMP.

What should I look for when I get them?  Any distinguishing marks?

UPDATE:  They're here and now with pics

I would avoid getting caught up in wood condition. Focus on the crown, disassemble the rifles and make note of what parts you have. I just took my field grade apart and am busy removing old grease, dust, grass, etc...

Found out I am missing a handgurad pin and the rear sight was so tight that windage would not move. Nothing major!!

Garands sort of grow on you.

I bought my first one, a field grade SA (showed up with the original barrel).

Well, one turned into two more.  One of those was made the same month as the first one I bought - didn't know that till I got it home.  Drove to the North Store to buy those two.

Then two more came along.  A couple H&R's that left the North Store as barreled receivers and became father/son projects where we searched the internet and at gun shows buying H&R parts to build them up.

Then, later, two more.  Another H&R and another SA.

I think I'm in remission though, haven't picked up another one in several years.

They do grow on you as you get more familiar with them and learn to handle/shoot them.

Well they arrived.  Both Springfields, one is a Dec 1943 and the other is a Dec 1956.  Looks like new wood on both of them which is fine with me, I plan on shooting these babies not keeping them in a safe

Wooohooooo!!!  Congrats!!!!!

Did you get some M2 ball?

How close is your Dec serial to mine?
SA 2417277.

Pics man!

What date did you order? Wondering because I sent away for 2 Service grades at the beginning of the month. And we need pics!

They received my order Dec. 11th