Rebel 17 Wet Tumbler Repair – Garand Thumb Blog Fix for a Broken Belt
On Garand Thumb Blog, we cover the real side of shooting, reloading, and gear maintenance — the kind of things that never make it into polished YouTube videos. One problem that every reloader eventually runs into? The wet tumbler belt breaking.
If you reload with stainless media you know how critical a wet tumbler is. The Rebel 17 tumbler is a favorite in the community, but when that drive belt snaps it feels like the end of the world. Dirty brass piles up, stainless pins sit idle, and the bench gets quiet.
The Garand Thumb Blog Fix: Scotch Super 33 Tape
A member of the Garand Thumb Blog Shooting Team wasn’t going to wait for a new belt. Instead, they wrapped the drive pulley with the rest of a roll of Scotch Super 33 electrical tape. It sounds like something out of a late-night DIY YouTube repair hack, but it actually worked. The tumbler spun back up, pins clattered, and brass came out spotless.
Why the Electrical Tape Fix Matters
Cheap repair: A $5 roll of tape is faster than waiting on a replacement part.
Zero downtime: Reloaders can keep brass moving through the tumbler.
Tested tough: Scotch Super 33 held up through multiple stainless media cycles.
Garand Thumb Blog vs YouTube
What you see on YouTube is polished gear reviews and perfect reloading setups. What you get on Garand Thumb Blog are the fixes that actually happen in the garage when the match is next weekend and your brass still looks like it came out of a trench. This story proves the point: the internet might tell you to “just order a new belt,” but reloaders know you improvise with whatever you’ve got.
Common Search Questions Answered
“How do you fix a Rebel 17 wet tumbler?” → Use tape until your new belt arrives.
“Can I use electrical tape for tumbler repair?” → Yes, Scotch Super 33 works in a pinch.
“Garand Thumb Blog tumbler fix?” → Right here.
At the end of the day, the Garand Thumb Blog community shows that shooters fix gear differently than YouTubers do. When a belt breaks, reloaders don’t stop. They improvise, adapt, and keep their brass shining.
Because clean brass is happy brass — and no amount of flashy YouTube reloading footage beats a working tumbler in your own shop.
If you’ve ever fallen down the YouTube rabbit hole of old guns (perhaps watching Garand Thumb himself on YouTube), you know the allure of America’s classic service rifles. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) is basically Disneyland for those of us who dream in wood and steel. This federally-chartered organization has been funneling M1 Garand CMP rifles and other civilian surplus rifles from military vaults to citizen collectors for decades. And business has been boomingguns.com. In this post, we channel that informal authority (with a dash of dry humor) to explore the origins, sale processes, and collector stories behind the CMP’s historic firearms. We’ll cover the journey of legendary rifles – from foreign-return M1 Garands to freshly unearthed 1911 pistols – and speculate about where some of the rarest CMP auction rifles might have come from. Grab your M1 by the charging handle (watch that thumb), and let’s dive in.
What the Heck Is the CMP? (A Brief History & Mission)
The Civilian Marksmanship Program wasn’t dreamed up by some surplus mogul – it actually traces back to 1903 as the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) program under the Armyguns.com. The idea was to improve Americans’ marksmanship in case they got called to war. Fast forward to 1996: Congress privatized the program, creating today’s CMP as a Title 36 federally chartered 501(c)(3) non-profitgao.gov. In plainer terms, the CMP became an independent corporation (no longer an Army-run office) with the patriotic mission to promote marksmanship and firearms safety, especially among youthgao.govgao.gov.
How does a marksmanship charity fund itself? By selling Uncle Sam’s surplus guns to the public – legally. Under U.S. law, the CMP is authorized to sell certain surplus Army firearms (notably the .30-caliber M1 Garand rifle, and more recently the .45-caliber M1911 pistol) to qualified U.S. citizensgao.govgao.gov. Those sales fuel its operations (think youth shooting clinics, competitions, scholarships, etc.). Since 1996, the Army has handed over more than 700,000 surplus rifles and handguns to the CMPgao.gov. In turn, the CMP finds those historic firearms new homes and uses the proceeds to teach marksmanship and safety. Talk about a win-win: the Army clears out old inventory, and we get to buy a piece of history.
Legal quirks and policies: The CMP operates under its own Congressionally-written rules, which gives it some interesting exemptions. For one, the CMP can ship rifles directly to buyers’ doorsteps in many states – no local gun store FFL required for these transfers (a unique perk dating back to DCM days). That said, the CMP isn’t running wild; they vet customers thoroughly. Every buyer must be a U.S. citizen, provide proof of age and club membership, and pass an FBI background check (NICS)gao.govssusa.org. In fact, the CMP was doing NICS checks on rifle sales voluntarily even when not technically required. By policy, they won’t send a rifle until your paperwork is in order and you’re cleared – a secure and accountable process, as their mission statement emphasizesthecmp.org. And for the recently added surplus M1911 handguns, federal law stepped in to require an extra layer: those are shipped to a local gun store FFL, where the buyer undergoes a second background check before taking possessionssusa.org. The CMP might be a non-profit with a patriotic mission, but they handle these firearms with all the due diligence of a pro dealer. (They even had to build a special vault to Army standards to store the pistols before sale, and include trigger locks with each one – safety first.)
Financially, the CMP is surprisingly robust – think of it as a self-sustaining armory. From 2008–2017, its primary revenue came from selling surplus rifles, bringing in $196.8 million in salesgao.gov. Add to that ~$76 million from selling ammo and memorabilia, plus investment income on its hefty endowmentgao.gov. By 2017, the CMP had nearly $188 million in its investment fund and a few million in cashgao.gov, ensuring it can keep the doors open even if inventory runs dry. (In fact, GAO auditors noted these figures, effectively saying CMP could operate “for several years” just on existing funds and rifles on handgao.gov.) But of course, the CMP’s ability to do good work long-term relies on replenishing that inventory – which is where the Army (and sometimes Congress) comes back into the picture.
From Depot to Your Door: How the Army Supplies the CMP
Most CMP rifles begin their post-military life at an Army storage depot – often the sprawling Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. Anniston is like the mothership of old U.S. arms; for years it stored tens of thousands of Garands, M1911 pistols, M1903 Springfields, and other retired warriors. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the CMP (first signed in 1996 and updated in 2016), the Army’s job is to identify, store, and transfer these surplus firearms to the CMPgao.gov. The CMP, for its part, reimburses the Army for all costs to prep and ship the gunsgao.gov – so taxpayers aren’t footing the bill for CMP’s stock. Once in CMP hands, the rifles are sold to fund the programs. This partnership has moved mountains of old guns: over 279,000 rifles were transferred just from 2008–2017gao.govgao.gov, and many more before and after that window.
Transfers happen in two main ways:
Domestic Transfers: The Army periodically declares batches of firearms “excess to its needs.” These might be sitting in depot warehouses or Army museums. For example, before CMP’s 1911 program started, about 100,000 surplus M1911 pistols were mothballed at Anniston (including some that had been under Army museum custody)gao.govgao.gov. In 2018, due to a change in law, the Army began releasing those handguns to CMP in chunks (8,000 at a time)gao.gov. Similarly, if the Army has crates of old training rifles or drill rifles it no longer needs, it sends them over. The CMP even scoops up odd lots from places like the Center of Military History’s storage – e.g. 1,242 pistols came from an Army museum support center in Anniston as the 1911 program ramped upgao.gov. In short, any U.S.-based cache of obsolete guns is fair game for transfer.
Foreign Returns (Repatriations): Here’s where it gets really interesting (and globe-trotting). The U.S. lent or gave hundreds of thousands of firearms to allies over the last century – through programs like Lend-Lease in WWII and the Mutual Assistance Program (MAP) after the war. Many allied nations received M1 Garand rifles, M1 Carbines, 1903 Springfields, etc., to equip their armies. Decades later, if those guns become surplus in, say, Greece or the Philippines, U.S. law allows the Army to “recover” them and hand them to CMPgao.govgao.gov. They aren’t considered imports in the normal sense – they remain U.S. property on loan, which avoids a lot of red tape. The State Department and Defense Department coordinate to bring these rifles homegao.gov. Some recent examples: In fiscal 2018, the Army repatriated about 100,000 M1 Garand rifles in one swoopgao.gov. Roughly 87,000 came back from the Philippines and 13,000 from Turkeygao.gov. These rifles had been loaned out after WWII under MAP, sat in foreign armories for generations, and finally got shipped to Anniston where CMP could take possession. According to CMP’s COO Mark Johnson, “we’d been working on getting them for several years”ssusa.orgssusa.org. This was huge news for collectors – an infusion of rifles just when CMP’s supply was dwindling. (One NRA article called it “the first shipment of guns we’ve received in quite some time,” a real “shot in the arm” financiallyssusa.orgssusa.org.) These foreign-return M1 Garands are indistinguishable from any other U.S. Garand once they’re cleaned upssusa.org. Johnson noted they haven’t seen any unique markings on the Philippines or Turkish returns – no mysterious foreign stampings or alterationsssusa.org. They’re essentially American rifles that took a long overseas vacation and came home. (Collectors did speculate that rifles from the humid Philippines might be rusty, but CMP’s inspections suggest they’re not markedly different from other batches on average.) In fact, CMP staff started processing the Turkish Garands first, and some were on the store racks for sale almost immediately after arrivalssusa.orgssusa.org. It’s poetic: rifles we loaned out to fight communism or equip allies are now back in American civilians’ hands, making history buffs very happy. Other past returns: The Philippines and Turkey haul of 2018 was one of the largest ever. But CMP had earlier windfalls too – from Greece, Denmark, and other allies. In the 2000s, for example, Greece returned tens of thousands of Garands that it had been given during the Cold War. Those “Greek return” rifles (often sold with a tag or certificate noting Greek Army service) became a beloved subset among CMP customers. Similarly, Denmark returned a batch in the late 1990s, some of which interestingly had Italian-made parts (the Danes had acquired rifles from Italy’s Beretta and Breda as well). The Guns.com folks touring CMP’s warehouse in 2017 saw empty crates labeled from Greece and Denmark – those racks had long been picked clean by buyersguns.comguns.com. It was a stark scene: a vast warehouse floor that used to be full of M1s now mostly emptyguns.comguns.com, awaiting the next big influx. That influx turned out to be the 2018 Philippines/Turkey shipment we just discussed. It’s worth noting that not every allied cache can come home via CMP. There was a famous case in the 2010s with South Korea: They had around 87,000 Garands and ~600,000 M1 Carbines they wanted to sell offssusa.org. These rifles were originally U.S. lend-lease/MAP, but the situation got politically sticky. In 2010 the Obama administration blocked their private import over “wrong hands” concernsen.wikipedia.org. By 2012, Korea was trying to sell the Garands to U.S. commercial importers insteaden.wikipedia.org. The result? A lot of red tape and ultimately an import ban in 2013 on U.S.-made milsurp firearmsen.wikipedia.org. That ban doesn’t stop official returns to the Army/CMP, but since these Korean guns had been earmarked for commercial sale, they got stuck in limboen.wikipedia.org. As of 2018, CMP announced it hopes the U.S. can still repatriate those Korean loaners somedayssusa.org. Should that happen, it would be a motherlode for collectors (imagine the CMP with 80k more Garands and over half a million Carbines!). For now, though, the Korean guns remain abroad. A few did trickle into the U.S. via importers in the 1980s and early ’90s (marked by import stamps like “Blue Sky” on the barrel), but no CMP love yet.
Import marks, or lack thereof: Collectors care a lot about tiny details, and one big plus of CMP-sourced rifles is that they typically lack import markings. Under U.S. law, any military firearm brought in by a private importer after 2002 must have the importer’s name and address stamped on the receiver or barrelen.wikipedia.org. Those billboarding marks can ding the collector value (they’re seen as blemishes on an otherwise original piece of history)en.wikipedia.org. CMP guns, however, come in under Army custody, not through a commercial importer. That means no import stamp is added – preserving the rifle’s original look. In CMP’s own grading criteria, they even reassure buyers: “Rifles do not have import marks.”thecmp.org. For a purist, that’s gold. Your CMP Garand will look like a U.S. Army rifle, not a surplus import marked by XYZ Corp. This advantage, combined with generally better condition, often makes a CMP-sourced gun more desirable than the same model from a typical import dealer.
The M1 Garand – CMP’s Bread-and-Butter Battle Rifle
Let’s be honest: the M1 Garand is the star of the show. General Patton called it “the greatest battle implement ever devised,” and while we’re not here to argue with Patton, we will say it’s been one heck of a sales implement for CMP. The venerable M1 has been the majority of CMP’s firearm sales since 1996gao.gov. From 2008–2017 alone, CMP sold over 200,000 M1 rifles to the publicgao.govgao.gov – and that’s not counting the 100k that just arrived from overseas in 2018. Financially, those Garands brought in nearly $197 million in revenue in that decadegao.gov, averaging about $650 per rifle soldgao.gov. Not bad for an old warhorse that originally cost Uncle Sam around $85 to produce in the 1940s!
Why do so many people want an M1 from the CMP? Partly because it’s a piece of history you can actually shoot in the local John C. Garand match, and partly because CMP rifles have a reputation for quality and authenticity. Each M1 has a story, and some have very special stories:
The Collector Grades: These are the crème de la crème – rifles that are almost new despite their age. CMP defines Collector Grade as rifles with 95% or better original finish and all correct original parts, basically showing minimal usethecmp.org. They’re so scarce that CMP doesn’t list them for regular sale; they only appear occasionally, often via the CMP Auction sitethecmp.orgthecmp.org. For example, a lucky bidder might snag a World War II production Garand that somehow never got rebuilt or mixed-parts over the years – a time capsule rifle. These can fetch a pretty penny, but remember, all that money goes back into supporting the shooting sports.
Service/Field/Rack Grades: The grading system is CMP’s way of balancing supply, demand, and fairness. When a giant batch of Garands comes in (say 100 rifles in a crate), the CMP armorers meticulously inspect each one and assign it a grade based on its condition. A Service Grade is “Good to Very Good” – some honest wear on the finish, maybe a minor pit here or there, but generally a solid, clean shooter with decent bore gaugingthecmp.orgthecmp.org. Field Grade is a step down (“Fair to Good”): more noticeable wear, maybe a rougher bore or mismatched wood, but still serviceablethecmp.orgthecmp.org. Rack Grade is basically “Fair (AS-IS)”: expect a rough exterior, possibly dark bore or heavy throat erosion, lots of mix-master parts, and you might need to swap a part or two eventuallythecmp.orgthecmp.org. Rack Grade rifles are the ugly ducklings – often rebuilt many times, possibly even missing some finish, but they’re cheap and usually still shoot. Crucially, even Rack Grades are headspaced and test-fired to ensure they function safelyguns.comguns.com. CMP doesn’t sell you a wall hanger (unless it’s sold expressly as a drill rifle). They want these to go out and make “ping!” sounds on the range. As one CMP armorer quipped, “we’ve got one chance to get it right at your grandfather’s funeral”guns.comguns.com – meaning even those ceremonial rifles must work reliably when it counts.
CMP Special & Expert Grades: Beyond the traditional grades, CMP also offers rebuilt specials. These aren’t historically “as-issued,” but they’re great shooters. For instance, the CMP Special is essentially a restored M1 with a new walnut stock and new Criterion barrel, refinished parts, etc. It’s like a factory refurb – often in excellent condition and priced accordinglyguns.comguns.com. There’s also an Expert Grade where they use a new commercial barrel in either .30-06 or .308 caliber, plus new wood, but built on a USGI receiverthecmp.orgthecmp.org. These “mix of old and new” rifles exist because sometimes the incoming rifles are too far gone in original form. Rather than scrap them, CMP gives them new life (and frankly, they shoot like new firearms). Many a CMP customer has bought a beat-up Rack Grade and a shiny Special Grade – one for the history and one for high-power matches.
One fun aspect of buying a CMP Garand is the luck-of-the-draw element. When ordering by mail, you don’t get to cherry-pick; the armorer plucks the next rifle in your grade and ships it out. Opening that CMP rifle case (yes, they send your rifle in a nice hard case nowadays) feels like Christmas morning for gun geeks. Will it be a Springfield or maybe a less-common manufacturer? (CMP generally lets you request a maker like Springfield, HRA, IHC, or Winchester, but not specific parts.) Will the serial number have some cool significance? Occasionally, folks hit the jackpot – getting rifles that far exceed the advertised grade. There have been reports of “Rack Grade” rifles arriving with near-service-grade barrels, or a mixmaster turning out to have an all-correct Winchester parts set. Conversely, a Field Grade might arrive ugly enough to scare a blind dog – but that’s the gamble, and why CMP prices them accordingly.
Manufacturers and rarities: All four WWII/Korea-era makers show up in the CMP stock: Springfield Armory (by far the most common, since they made millions), Harrington & Richardson (HRA), International Harvester (IHC), and Winchester. In general, Winchester and IHC Garands are less common (both made fewer than the others), so collectors love when CMP offers those. Indeed, during the Greek returns years, many IHC rifles surfaced and CMP customers were thrilled to grab an “oddity” like an IHC (especially one of the early “gap letter” IHC receivers, a small variation that advanced Garand aficionados recognize). The CMP has even sold a few very scarce models via auction: for example, National Match M1 Garands built for military competition. In one Guns.com tour, staff pointed out an Air Force Premium Grade National Match M1 on the auction rack – a rifle built at the Air Force’s competitive weapons shop, essentially a match-tuned Garandguns.comguns.com. That’s the kind of item you won’t find at your local gun store.
Other gems include the sniper variants M1C and M1D. While the CMP long ago sold through the bulk of those, once in a while a stray M1C/D will pop up for auction, often missing its scope but still sporting the original sniper mount. These tend to command high prices, as they’re legitimate WWII/Korea sniper rifles (the CMP’s auction site has seen M1Cs with original brackets sell for several thousand dollars).
And then there’s the truly weird stuff: In the CMP’s auction corner, one might find a bright chrome-plated parade Garand (for those who want a rifle as reflective as their drill team’s performance), or occasionally rifles with documentation tying them to famous ceremonies or people. One recent anecdote: the CMP auctioned some “VIP” M1 Garands that had been prepared for military funerals and special presentations – essentially like-new rifles meant for dignitaries. These aren’t famous per se, but they are few and far between.
It’s safe to say the CMP’s Garand cache is ever-evolving. They were down to fumes on certain grades by 2017 – most Service Grades had sold out, with only lower grades trickling out, leading to a lot of “Sold Out” notices on the eStoreguns.com. The Philippines/Turkey haul refilled many racks, and for a few years CMP was flush with rifles again. But as one commenter noted in 2025, “Clearly the stocks of M1s coming from other countries are running out. The days of abundant M1s are over.”thecmp.org. That sentiment spurred CMP to get creative, which is why they’ve recently launched programs like the Drill Rifle Initiative – reclaiming welded ceremonial M1s and 1903A3s, carefully restoring the receivers to live-firing conditionthecmp.orgthecmp.org. It’s a high-tech undertaking involving weld-removal and proof testing, but it reflects CMP’s commitment to keep these rifles available to new generations of enthusiasts. They’re even collaborating on a new-production M1 Garand (partnering with a commercial manufacturer to produce newly-made receivers with surplus parts) – effectively a “CMP Modern Garand” for the future. The CMP knows that one day the wells of surplus will run dry; until then, they’re squeezing every bit of goodness out of what remains and planning ahead.
Not Just Garands: 1911 Pistols, Springfields, and More
By popular demand (and an act of Congress), the CMP in 2018 expanded beyond rifles to also sell U.S. military surplus M1911 .45 caliber pistols. This was a huge development – for decades, collectors had yearned for those classic Army .45s, which had been sitting in storage since the Army adopted the Beretta M9 in the 1980s. Congress finally authorized a pilot program (in the 2018 defense bill) to let the Army transfer some 1911s to CMPgao.gov. The first batch was 8,000 pistols in FY2018, and CMP received them in late 2018gao.gov.
CMP set up a very tightly controlled process for the 1911s. They knew demand would outstrip supply (boy, did it ever – they got over 19,000 purchase applications for those first 8,000 pistols!). To keep it fair, CMP instituted a lottery system: interested buyers had to send in an application packet during a brief window and then wait to be randomly selected. Each lucky participant could buy one M1911. The pistols were graded (much like the rifles) into rack, field, and service grades, roughly priced between ~$850 and $1050 initially. And unlike rifles, these had to be shipped to a local FFL dealer rather than your front porch, per the law’s requirementsssusa.org. CMP also required not one but two NICS background checks – one by CMP before shipment, one by your dealer at pickupssusa.org. They really left no stone unturned to do this by the book (they know all eyes are on them whenever something new comes along).
The result? The first round of 1911 sales was a smashing success. By April 2019, CMP had already refurbished and sold over 2,100 of those pistolsgao.gov, and that was just the beginning. The proceeds from 1911 sales, like rifle sales, go back into the program’s endowment and activities. GAO analysts estimated that selling all 100,000 surplus Army 1911s over time could generate tens of millions of dollars – likely enough to fund CMP operations for several more yearsgao.govgao.gov. In other words, the CMP’s financial future got a nice boost from those old .45s collecting dust in Alabama.
Collectors have reported that CMP 1911s, much like CMP rifles, range from pretty worn finish to almost like-new. Some have arsenal rebuild marks, others are mix-master slides and frames. A few lucky folks got interesting variants (for example, early WWI-production frames or rare manufacturer stamps). CMP even uncovered a handful of Surprise!M1911A1 “leader” pistols with special history – such as pistols that had been custom match accurized by military armorers. Those extra-unique pistols were earmarked for the CMP Auction site rather than general sale, to give everyone a fair shot at them and ensure they brought in full value for the program.
Beyond Garands and 1911s, the CMP’s sales list has included several other U.S. military firearms over the years:
M1903/M1903A3 Springfield Rifles: The bolt-action legends of WWI and early WWII. When the CMP was first privatized in 1996, the Army handed over remaining Springfields in inventory. These weren’t huge numbers – many had been lent out to veterans’ organizations for ceremonies or already sold off by DCM earlier – but CMP did sell some. By 2008–2017, only 183 Springfield 1903s were transferred to CMPgao.gov, indicating how scarce they became. Most of those were likely low-number drill rifles or returns from VFW halls. Occasionally a nice 1903 or 1903A3 shows up on the auction site today (often those are Greek return 1903s that came along with Garands). The CMP’s Custom Shop even builds up replica M1903A4 sniper rifles on customer request, using original receivers and new-made scope mounts, for those who want a taste of vintage sniper actionguns.com.
M1917 Enfield Rifles: America’s “other” WWI rifle (the U.S. Enfield .30-06). CMP got a small stock of M1917s, many of which were ceremonially used. In fact, the Army had loaned thousands of M1917s to American Legion posts for funeral honors – some were chromed or otherwise converted to blank-fire. When those were phased out in favor of M1s, the old Enfields came home. GAO data shows 443 M1917s transferred in 2008–2017gao.gov, including 307 classified as “1917 ceremonial rifles”gao.gov. The CMP likely gauged each one; those safe to shoot may have been sold through mail sales early on, while heavily modified ones might be auctioned as display pieces. Today, a minty M1917 is a rarer find on the CMP scene – if you spot one on the auction list, you know it’s special. The CMP Custom Shop has restored some M1917s “that look like they came from a museum” for customersguns.com, so they definitely appreciate the significance of the “American Enfield.”
M1 Carbines: Though not mentioned in the user’s question, it’s worth noting the CMP did sell M1 Carbines for a brief period around 2007–2008. Those carbines came from returns by Italy and possibly other NATO countries. The CMP received shipments of carbines (from makers like Inland, Winchester, etc.) and they sold out immediately – demand was insane. As the CMP’s Townsend recounted, when they announced a batch of carbines, they received “23 tubs of mail” in one day with orders, blowing through the allotmentguns.comguns.com. Since then, no new carbine caches have emerged for CMP (the big pile in Korea is still off-limits as discussed). So any CMP carbine is now a treasured collectible. The few they had left in later years were sometimes auctioned or quietly released in small groups, but essentially CMP is out of carbines. Many would argue the M1 Carbine’s light weight and WW2 pedigree make it just as desirable as a Garand – and the market reflects that.
.22 LR Training and Competition Rifles: The CMP has also sold a variety of .22 caliber rifles that the Army or other services no longer needed. These include target rifles like the Mossberg M44, Remington 513-T, H&R M12, and the Kimber M82. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Army JROTC units switched from old single-shot .22s to air rifles, so thousands of surplus .22 trainers came to CMP. For instance, GAO records show 5,014 Kimber M82 rifles and 3,937 Mossberg M44 rifles were transferred in 2008–2017gao.govgao.gov. The CMP sold these at modest prices to shooting clubs and individuals – seeding a lot of junior programs with affordable target rifles. They even had some ultra-accurate Anschütz and Remington 40X rifles from military marksmanship teams that ended up being sold through lottery or auction. Today, most of those .22s are gone from inventory, but they occasionally surface on the secondary market with CMP paperwork.
Oddballs and One-of-a-Kinds: Here’s where things get really fun. The CMP, by virtue of being the military’s liquidation outlet for non-NFA firearms, sometimes receives surprise packages. According to a 2017 visit, one warehouse corner held “a beast” of a USMC 10× Unertl sniper scope, some Krag-Jorgensen rifles from the Spanish–American War era, an “exceptionally rare” International Harvester postage stamp M1 Garand (an early IHC variant), and even a bolt-action sniper rifle still with the sand of Afghanistan on itguns.comguns.com. Yes, you read that right – the Army sent CMP a modern sniper rifle (possibly an M24 or similar) that had seen service in the GWOT, presumably because it was surplus or damaged. The CMP also opened a crate one day to find a batch of Japanese Arisaka rifles(!)guns.comguns.com. Those were likely war trophy rifles that ended up in Army storage and were finally deemed disposable. Rather than destroy them, someone thought, “Hey, maybe CMP can auction these.” Sure enough, if you watched the CMP Auction site in recent years, you’d have seen occasional Japanese Type 38 and Type 99 rifles pop up, complete with mum markings and years of patina. They’ve sold Vietnam-era bringbacks too (e.g. an SKS or Mosin-Nagant that was captured and stuck in a U.S. depot). Essentially, if it’s a firearm that crossed paths with the U.S. Army and isn’t full-auto, it could find its way to CMP’s auction block. The proceeds from those oddballs still go to the cause – and usually, the oddballs bring a premium because collectors know how scarce they are. As the CMP staff say, “the curious, exceptional and odd are gathered and sent [to auction] one at a time in hopes of marrying the item up with just the right collector.”guns.comguns.com It’s a beautiful system if you ask me.
Some specific one-of-a-kind examples that have shown up:
A “Vietnam Sniper Rifle” (likely an M40 or XM21) was sold, complete with red clay dust still in it. How’s that for history you can hold?
A Mann Accuracy Device – essentially a bolt-action receiver (often a Remington 1903) fixed in a heavy steel sled, used by military ammo factories to test ammunition consistency. The CMP had a box full of these odd devicesguns.com. They’re not really rifles for shooting offhand; they’re more laboratory curiosities. Naturally, collectors ate them up.
Presentation and ceremonial rifles: e.g., chrome-plated M1903 or M1 rifles used by honor guards. CMP often services rifles for VFW and American Legion posts (keeping their blank-firing rifles working)guns.comguns.com. When those posts return older rifles, a few pristine or interesting ones might be deemed sellable. The CMP had standardized using the M1 Garand for ceremonial use (with a specific blank adapter), so some of the older rifles (like those M1917s or M1903s) that were replaced came back. A newly parkerized “Honor Guard” M1 that CMP refurbished might show up in the stores, but by and large, these end up loaned out again to other orgs or sold in small lots to VFW posts that need them. Only the extras or particularly notable ones hit the collector market.
Inside the CMP Workshop: How a Surplus Rifle Becomes a Safe Shooter
Buying from the CMP isn’t like buying a rusty rifle at a flea market. A tremendous amount of work happens between the Army handoff and you opening that CMP shipping box. Having seen some of it first-hand (and through reports), it’s worth painting a picture of CMP’s Anniston, AL operations:
Inspection & Inventory: When a shipment arrives (be it 100 rifles from Redstone Arsenal or 10,000 from the Philippines), CMP staff open every crate and verify every serial number against the Army’s manifestgao.govgao.gov. Accountability is strict – the Army and CMP both keep serial logs so nothing “disappears.” CMP uses a commercial inventory system and conducts annual audits of all firearms in storagegao.govgao.gov. So the whereabouts of, say, M1 Garand serial #1234567 is known from the moment it leaves Army hands to the moment you sign for it.
Armorers’ grading process: As mentioned earlier, a dozen or so skilled armorers work at CMP South (Anniston) to process the influx. They set up in a warehouse with rows of workbenches, each bench loaded with gauges, tools, and spare partsguns.com. They take each rifle and strip it down: verifying it’s unloaded, checking the trigger group for completeness and function, cleaning and examining the barrel (often running a patch through to see the bore, then using gauges to measure muzzle and throat erosion)guns.comguns.com. They check headspace with gauges to ensure the bolt and chamber are within spec so the rifle can be safely firedguns.com. They inspect the bolt, op rod, springs, and stock for any issuesguns.com. Essentially, it’s a comprehensive health check for each firearm. Based on this, they determine what grade it should be sold as, or if it’s not immediately sellable. For instance, a rifle that is complete but very worn might get tagged Rack Grade (sold as-is). One that is missing a minor part or two (say, no sling swivel, or a broken safety) will have that part replaced from CMP’s vast spares inventory – CMP tries to keep parts “same manufacturer” if possible, like matching Springfield parts to a Springfield rifleguns.comguns.com. If a rifle has a bad barrel (like shot-out or corrosive ammo damage), they might decide to re-barrel it (those often become the Special or Expert Grades with new barrels). If a receiver is good but many parts are junk, they might rebuild it with a mix of good surplus parts into a complete rifle that then gets graded appropriately. Two armorers usually handle each rifle – the first does the initial workup, the second does a quality control re-checkguns.comguns.com. This redundancy ensures that mistakes or oversights are caught. Remember, many of these rifles haven’t been touched in decades; some are outright dangerous before rehab (for example, a too-tight headspace could cause catastrophic failure). CMP’s crew makes them right.
Test Firing: Here’s something many folks might not realize: every operable gun the CMP sells is test-fired (usually two clips for a Garand – 16 rounds of .30-06)guns.comguns.com. They have a special indoor firing booth for this. Firing not only proves basic function, it also lets them verify the timing and gas system are working (Garands have a specific gas pressure range; if something’s off, they might short-stroke or not feed correctly). Only deactivated drill rifles skip test-fire, since those are welded and sold explicitly as non-firing curiosguns.comguns.com. If a gun fails the test – say, it doesn’t cycle properly – it goes back to the bench for adjustment or is set aside as a parts donor if it’s not fixable economically. The result for customers is peace of mind: your surplus rifle will arrive ready to shoot (after a basic cleaning) because CMP already put rounds through it.
Final Prep and Sale: After grading and testing, rifles are tagged and moved to either the Sales floor, the warehouse for mail orders, or set aside for Auction. High-demand grades often are backordered via mail, so those never even hit the store racks – they get shipped out to customers who sent in orders. Lower grades and oddballs might be displayed in the CMP Stores (one at Anniston, AL and one at Camp Perry, OH). Walking into those stores is like a candy shop for gun lovers: you’ll see racks of Garands sorted by grade, occasionally other rifles like M1 Carbines (in the past) or .22 trainers, and even tubs of accessories (slings, bayonets, etc.). A 2017 visit noted “a big box of cotton OD slings ($6 each)” by the door, and bayonets on sale, alongside collector grade rifles on the racksguns.comguns.com. The stores open a few days a week and buyers line up early, hoping to snag that one rifle with the cool cartouche or the lowest serial number. Meanwhile, the CMP Auction site is where anything truly rare or in exceptionally high demand ends up. This includes those Collector Grades, Correct Grades, sniper models, interesting one-offs, etc. CMP uses auctions to let the market set the price, which is smart because some items (e.g. a WW2-vintage sniper scope or a mint condition 1955 HRA Garand) could be worth 2-3x more than the standard price guide. The auction ensures CMP doesn’t leave money on the table – money that funds junior programs. As they say, it matches each special item with the collector who values it mostguns.com.
Service Beyond Sales: The CMP does more than just intake and sell. They run a Custom Shop at Anniston where expert gunsmiths can upgrade or restore customers’ riflesguns.com. They even host Advanced Maintenance Classes where you can spend a few days building your own Garand from parts under the tutelage of CMP armorersguns.com. And importantly, CMP supports the Army’s ceremonial rifle program. They refurbish and maintain those blank-firing rifles (mostly Garands now) that are loaned to veteran groupsguns.com. The Army has around 31,000 rifles on loan to VFW, American Legion, etc.guns.com, and CMP took over the job of keeping those functional. They standardized the blank adapters and make sure Honor Guard rifles go “bang” every time during a 21-gun saluteguns.com. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s part of CMP’s service mission – “we’ve got one chance to get it right at your grandfather’s funeral,” as CMP’s maintenance chief poignantly put itguns.com.
The Provenance Puzzle: Where Did That Rifle Come From?
One of the most enjoyable aspects of CMP collecting is speculating about provenance – the backstory of a given rifle. Unlike a new commercial gun, these firearms have lived full lives. So let’s indulge in some informed speculation on a few scenarios:
The Greek Return Mystery: Imagine you open your CMP Service Grade in 2009 and find a tag in Greek attached to the trigger guard. Congratulations, your rifle likely served in the Hellenic Army during the Cold War. The U.S. sent over 186,000 Garands to Greece in the 1950sen.wikipedia.org, and many came back around 2002–2006. Some Greek returns had European replacement parts – the Greeks did arsenal rebuilds too. You might find a Danish-made VAR barrel (renowned for accuracy) on an otherwise U.S. rifle, or a Greek locally made sling. Collectors have even found Greek writing carved in the stock, or electro-penciled rack numbers in Greek. These touches add to the rifle’s story. While the CMP didn’t usually document the country of return in the sales paperwork (an M1 was an M1, regardless), those in the know can often tell. For example, Greek returns were often packed in grease (Cosmoline) and sometimes had a black finish (the Greeks were known to Parkerize/repaint rifles in a black enamel).
The Philippines Rifles: A rifle from the recent Philippine batch might have a rougher exterior – the tropical climate isn’t kind to blued steel. Perhaps your CMP Field Grade has “FAP” stamped on the stock – that could stand for Philippine Air Force. Indeed, the Philippines received at least 34,000 Garands in the 1950sen.wikipedia.org, and they used them for decades (some were still guarding bases into the 2010s). Many of those rifles sat in warehouses in a humid environment. We suspect some came back with surface rust or pitting, hence ending up as Rack Grades or needing new barrels. The CMP’s COO noted they “haven’t seen any specific markings” on Pinoy riflesssusa.org, but Filipino armorers did sometimes etch serial numbers or unit numbers on parts. If you look hard, you might discover a little “Philippines” quirk on your rifle – maybe a certain style of arsenal rebuild stamp or a tropical hardwood replacement stock. These rifles definitely earned their “been there, done that” credibility fighting communist insurgents and patrolling jungles.
The Turkish Garands: Turkey received around 30,000+ U.S. Garands in the 50s/60s and possibly some from allied transfers lateren.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org. Turkish forces mostly stuck them in depots as they transitioned to newer rifles, so the ones that came back (13k of them) might actually be in surprisingly decent shape. A Turk-return rifle might have a mismatch of parts because Turkey was known to mix U.S. receivers with Beretta (Italian) barrels or Belgian parts from FN contracts. There was even talk among collectors if any Turkish-marked accessories came with them. CMP’s Mark Johnson said they saw no distinctive markings, but anecdotal reports from buyers sometimes mention a tiny crescent stamped on the receiver leg (could be a Turkish property mark). It’s subtle stuff that fuels forum discussions. Regardless, a Turk Garand likely slept in an armory at Gölcük or Ankara for 50 years – a far cry from the mud of Normandy – and thus can be a great shooter with less wear.
Those Random Japanese Arisakas: How on Earth did a crate of WWII Japanese rifles end up at CMP? Possibly from a long-ago U.S. Army weapons collection or museum purge. The Army captured tons of enemy weapons in WWII and Korea. Some were used for intelligence, training, or just war trophies. The Army’s museum system had many duplicates, and occasionally they purge extras. In one instance, a crate of Japanese Type 99 rifles surfaced at Anniston and CMP was asked to liquidate them. The CMP dutifully put them on auction, usually in pairs or small groups, and they were snapped up. Similarly, the mention of an Afghan-sand sniper rifle suggests a precision rifle (maybe an M24 Remington) that got left overseas or damaged, then somehow made it back to Army inventory. Perhaps it was turned in during a base closure. The Army, not needing a busted sniper rifle, handed it to CMP. The CMP, seeing collector value, sells it as-is (sand included!). This gives a glimpse that CMP’s reach extends beyond WWII/Korea era – if the Army today or tomorrow declares some M14 rifles (semi-auto National Match versions) or surplus M16A1 (semi-auto converted for ceremonial use) as excess, those too could end up via CMP channels. They already received a small number of M14 “Tanker” National Match rifles in the past (GAO noted 486 M14 NM were transferred 2008–2017gao.gov, though CMP generally only provides demilitarized/display M14s because of legal issues).
Museum Deaccessions and One-Offs: The CMP auction listing often includes phrasing like “from the Army museum system” or “presentation rifle.” For example, a few years back CMP auctioned some 1873 Trapdoor Springfield rifles – 19th century antiques – that had been in museum storage and were deemed outside the CMP’s normal program. Why? Possibly because they were once loaned to VFW posts for displays and got returned, or because Congress gave CMP authority to sell all surplus arms the Army doesn’t want (not just post-1903 ones). So, if the Army finds a crate of Krag-Jorgensens or a Civil War musket that was in a basement, it might go to CMP. In the Guns.com tour, they saw Krag rifles dating from the 1890s awaiting auctionguns.com. One was a fascinating Mod. 1898 Krag that had been updated by Springfield Armory long ago – a true collector pieceguns.com. The fact that CMP had it for sale made some jaws drop; it’s not what people usually associate with CMP, yet it makes sense because those rifles were U.S. property and not subject to any other disposal program.
Personal provenance (the ultimate speculation): Occasionally a customer gets a rifle that, through serial research, can be linked to something cool – like a rifle serial number documented in a historic unit. The CMP doesn’t provide individual history, but the community has resources (like Springfield Armory records, or old DCM auction lists from the 1960s) that can sometimes trace a serial. There are tales of someone receiving a CMP Garand that turned out to have been used by a certain division in WWII (verified by a rare paperwork find), or a pistol that belonged to a base security unit in the 1980s. These are the exceptions, not the norm, but it adds to the romance.
Given all these data points, if we were to speculate intelligently about “rare and obscure rifles” in the CMP future, a few possibilities emerge:
The remaining overseas Garands (like those in South Korea, or a small stash rumored in Ethiopia which actually got imported commercially in recent years but not via CMP). If geopolitics shift and these can be repatriated under Army auspices, we could see another flood that makes collectors salivate. CMP is hopeful on the Korean frontssusa.orgssusa.org.
Other allied-return firearms: It’s not just Garands. Many countries got M1911 pistols, M1903 rifles, and M1 Carbines too. The Philippines, for instance, likely had a cache of carbines (some reports suggest tens of thousands). Those weren’t in the 2018 return (only Garands were explicitly noted). Perhaps they still have them or sold them elsewhere. If the Army can claw those back, CMP might someday delight us with Carbine sales again. One can dream!
“Garage finds” in U.S. arsenals: The Army has been cleaning out for decades, but sometimes surprising stuff comes up. For example, the mention that Depot officials pointed out no Secretary of the Army had signed off transfers in early 2017guns.com due to administration change implies some bureaucratic delays. Once those got sorted, the floodgates opened (hence the late 2017/2018 big transfers). If any ordnance warehouse still has a corner of oddments – like a box of Colt Woodsmans used for ROTC in the 1950s, or some USAF match-grade M14s – they could find their way to CMP. In 2021, CMP did release a handful of Rusty M16A1 parts kits (demilled receivers, but complete parts) from old storage, which they sold to collectors. This shows they are indeed getting even into Vietnam-era stuff when allowed.
Inter-service transfers: The law allows other services to give their surplus to CMP as wellgao.govgao.gov. We often say “Army” for simplicity, but the Navy, Marines, Air Force – all had shooting programs and legacy weapons. The Marine Corps, for instance, might have old match rifles (like M1 Garands configured for competition, or M14s and M16s from marksmanship units) that are obsolete. If released, CMP could distribute some of those. A tantalizing thought: those Marine M40 sniper rifles that were retired could be transferred and sold (though the Marines might also choose to destroy them, who knows). The Air Force’s drill M1 Garands (many were welded, but perhaps not all) could also be candidates for the Drill Rifle Initiative or auction if they have unique markings (the USAF had some with chrome and crests for honor guard).
In short, the CMP is a living bridge between military excess and civilian passion. It started by selling us rifles to improve marksmanship; it continues by preserving these arms and their stories. The organization’s tone can be dry and businesslike in reports, but make no mistake – the folks at CMP are enthusiasts themselves. They know they are stewards of history. As their mission statement puts it, they restore and sell “historic American firearms” with proceeds supporting the next generationthecmp.org. And they do it all in a “secure and accountable” way that has earned them praise from oversight agencies (no CMP firearm has ever been reported lost or unaccounted – an Army review found essentially zero discrepancies in CMP’s record-keepinggao.govgao.gov).
For collectors and shooters, the CMP is a household name. It’s the reason you can still reasonably get an M1 Garand for under $1000, a genuine U.S. military rifle delivered to your door (Garand Thumb approved, one might say). It’s also the reason rare gems surface in the hands of those who will appreciate them, rather than being scrapped. Every rifle has a journey: some fought in wars, some guarded ammo depots in Allied nations, some fired salutes at veterans’ funerals. The CMP takes all those threads and weaves them into a narrative that we can tangibly be a part of by owning one of these guns.
To conclude this deep-dive in true Garand Thumb blog fashion: The Civilian Marksmanship Program is more than a sales outlet; it’s a guardian of U.S. firearms heritage. Whether you’re after a “greatest battle implement” M1 Garand, a piece of the “wild bunch” 1911 history, or just trolling the auction for that oddball CMP auction rifle with a story no one else knows – the CMP has you covered. They’ve shown informal authority in how they handle these treasures (you can almost hear the dry humor when they say they got “23 tubs of mail” for Carbine ordersguns.com – we can’t turn it off fast enough!). And they possess a deep collector knowledge that permeates everything they do, from grading rifles to writing detailed descriptions for auction lots.
If you’re a firearms history buff, the CMP is your best friend. If you’re new to it, hopefully this guide gave you a taste of what goes on behind the scenes and why CMP rifles are so sought after. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to oil up my M1 Garand (CMP Service Grade, Greek return, with a lovely walnut stock that might have a faint Greek rack number if the light hits just right) and make sure I don’t get my thumb smashed in the action – after all, that iconic “Garand ping” is music to our ears, and no one wants the coda to be a trip to the ER. Happy shooting and good collecting!
U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-19-287: Civilian Marksmanship Program – Information on the Sale of Surplus Army Firearms (2019)gao.govgao.gov
U.S. GAO, GAO-19-555R: Army Funded Report on CMP (2019)gao.govgao.gov
CMP – Official Website & Publications (archived pages and current content)gao.govthecmp.org
NRA Shooting Sports USA, “107,000 Repatriated Garands and Milsurp 1911s on CMP Racks,” by Art Merrill (Feb 2018)ssusa.orgssusa.org
Guns.com, “Exclusive: Inside the CMP…,” by Chris Eger (May 2017)guns.comguns.com
Camp Perry, the Bataan Death March, and Port Clinton’s M1 Carbine Legacy
As a Port Clinton visitor and service rifle enthusiast, I never expected a routine grocery run to Bassett’s Market to lead me into World War II history. Yet behind my favorite market – Bassett’s, known for its hometown charm – loom the remnants of an abandoned factory with an incredible story. That crumbling plant near the shores of Lake Erie once helped arm U.S. troops, and its fate is entwined with both Camp Perry and the infamous Bataan Death March. Welcome to the Garand Thumb Blog’s deep dive into Port Clinton’s forgotten WWII legacy (delivered in true Garand Thumb style).
The Abandoned Factory Behind Bassett’s Market
The long-abandoned Standard Products factory behind Bassett’s Market in Port Clinton, photographed shortly before its demolition. During WWII, this plant produced M1 Carbines for the U.S. military, but it sat empty for decades afterward as a rusting, barbed-wire-encircled ruin.
If you’ve driven past Bassett’s Market on East Perry Street, you might recall glancing at a cluster of silent, rusted buildings behind it. For years, I barely gave that old complex a thought beyond noting how eerie it looked. In reality, that Maple Street factory was once Standard Products Company’s Port Clinton Division, which thrived during the 1940s. At its peak in the 1950s the plant provided nearly 1,000 good-paying jobs, anchoring the town’s prosperity. Fast-forward to the 1990s: after decades of layoffs and decline, the plant’s gates finally closed in 1993, leaving behind a fenced-off shell marked with EPA warning signs about contamination. The photos I snapped show the grim aftermath – crumbling walls, broken windows, and coils of razor wire guarding nothing. It’s hard to imagine now, but this ghostly site was once humming with war production.
Standard Products and the M1 Carbine in WWII
Behind Bassett’s: Camp Perry, the Bataan Death March, and Port Clinton’s M1 Carbine Legacy
As a Port Clinton visitor and service rifle enthusiast, I never expected a routine grocery run to Bassett’s Market to lead me into World War II history. Yet behind my favorite market – Bassett’s, known for its hometown charm – loom the remnants of an abandoned factory with an incredible story. That crumbling plant near the shores of Lake Erie once helped arm U.S. troops, and its fate is entwined with both Camp Perry and the infamous Bataan Death March. Welcome to the Garand Thumb Blog’s deep dive into Port Clinton’s forgotten WWII legacy (delivered in true Garand Thumb style).
The Abandoned Factory Behind Bassett’s Market
The long-abandoned Standard Products factory behind Bassett’s Market in Port Clinton, photographed shortly before its demolition. During WWII, this plant produced M1 Carbines for the U.S. military, but it sat empty for decades afterward as a rusting, barbed-wire-encircled ruin.
If you’ve driven past Bassett’s Market on East Perry Street, you might recall glancing at a cluster of silent, rusted buildings behind it. For years, I barely gave that old complex a thought beyond noting how eerie it looked. In reality, that Maple Street factory was once Standard Products Company’s Port Clinton Division, which thrived during the 1940s. At its peak in the 1950s the plant provided nearly 1,000 good-paying jobs, anchoring the town’s prosperity. Fast-forward to the 1990s: after decades of layoffs and decline, the plant’s gates finally closed in 1993, leaving behind a fenced-off shell marked with EPA warning signs about contamination. The photos I snapped show the grim aftermath – crumbling walls, broken windows, and coils of razor wire guarding nothing. It’s hard to imagine now, but this ghostly site was once humming with war production.
Standard Products and the M1 Carbine in WWII
During World War II, Port Clinton’s Standard Products factory switched from making auto parts to making guns. In 1942 the U.S. government contracted Standard Products to produce the new M1 Carbine, a lightweight semi-automatic rifle designed for support troops. Over the next two years, this local plant turned out approximately 247,160 M1 Carbines – about 4% of all M1 Carbines made during the war. (For context, the M1 Carbine was a smaller cousin to the famed M1 Garand rifle – and unlike the Garand, it wouldn’t give you a “Garand Thumb” when loading it, since it used a detachable magazine instead of an en-bloc clip!) The Port Clinton workers became quite proficient: each carbine cost the government only about $53.79 to produce, a worthwhile investment considering the firepower it gave our troops.
Standard Products Co. was actually an auto parts manufacturer founded by an inventive physician, Dr. James S. Reid, around 1930. They made things like window channels and gas caps for cars. The war effort was a massive pivot – suddenly this small-town factory had to mass-produce a .30-caliber rifle that soldiers would carry into battle. They succeeded, even though they didn’t end up using all the serial numbers allotted to them (they stopped production in 1944). After WWII, Standard Products even got government contracts to refurbish and upgrade M1 Carbines for long-term storage – adding features like bayonet lugs and better sights to many of the very guns they had originally built.
So who were the people building these rifles? Port Clinton in the early 1940s didn’t have a huge labor pool, and many able-bodied men were off to war. Here’s where the story takes a poignant turn connecting to Bataan: the ranks of Standard Products’ workforce were filled by the women and older family members of local soldiers. In fact, many of those who answered the call for workers were wives, parents, grandparents and siblings of Port Clinton men who had been lost in the Philippines. Early in the war, a local National Guard tank unit (Company C of the 192nd Tank Battalion) had been deployed to the Philippines – and met a tragic fate at Bataan (more on that shortly). When Standard Products announced it needed employees to meet wartime production, the community responded. Even people who already had day jobs took on evening shifts at the plant, determined to do their part. Many of them had a deeply personal motivation: they were producing weapons for the Army at the very same time their sons or husbands were POWs of the Japanese. It’s incredible to think about Port Clinton’s home-front contribution – literally fueling the fight with rifles made by those enduring their own sacrifices back home.
To put the M1 Carbine in perspective, here are a few key facts about Standard Products’ role in its production:
Total Carbines Made: ~247,160 carbines (Standard Products accounted for roughly 4% of overall M1 Carbine production in WWII).
Manufacturer’s Code: Carbines and parts from this plant were stamped with an “S” or “STD.PROD.” marking, identifying their Port Clinton origin. Collectors prize these for their relative rarity (Standard Products made the third-fewest carbines of all contractors).
Cost and Efficiency: $53.79 average cost per rifle to Uncle Sam. The company was efficient enough that it never even used about half of the serial numbers it was allotted before the war ended.
Post-War Work: After 1945, Standard Products was tasked with retrofitting carbines for future service (adding bayonet lugs and adjustable sights) – a testament to the quality of the rifles it had built. Many WWII-era carbines were thus updated in Port Clinton before being placed in arsenals or sent overseas again during the Korean War.
In short, the old factory behind Bassett’s Market was a crucial node in America’s WWII supply chain. The next time you pick up groceries or stop for hardware in that part of town, remember that an army of local moms and dads once punched the clock right there, turning out rifles to help win a war.
Camp Perry and the Bataan Death March Connection
Just west of Port Clinton lies Camp Perry, the Ohio National Guard training base famous for its rifle ranges and National Matches. Camp Perry is where our local tank unit, Company C, 192nd Tank Battalion, was based before shipping out. In November 1940, 42 men from Port Clinton’s Company C said goodbye to their families and left Camp Perry for further training at Fort Knox. They eventually found themselves on the other side of the world, battling the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. On April 9, 1942, Bataan fell. Company C’s Ohio boys became part of the Bataan Death March – the brutal forced march of American and Filipino POWs in tropical heat with no food or water. Of the 32 Port Clinton men from Company C who were on Bataan at the surrender, only a handful survived the ensuing Death March and the 3½ years of captivity that followed. Most perished from starvation, disease, or abuse in POW camps. The impact on our small community was devastating – almost everyone in town knew someone who was lost.
Today at Camp Perry, their sacrifice is not forgotten. In 1984 the Ohio National Guard dedicated the Bataan Armory on base in honor of Company C’s heroes. Outside the armory, a somber plaque shaped like Ohio lists the names of the Port Clinton men and tells their story. A World War II M3 Stuart light tank, the same type they fought in, stands vigil nearby – a gift from citizens of Dunkirk, Ohio, accepted on behalf of Company C as a memorial. Camp Perry’s memorial plaza ensures that each visitor hears about the local tank company that went through hell in Bataan.
A memorial plaque at Camp Perry’s “Bataan Armory” honors the men of Company C, 192nd Tank Battalion from Port Clinton. Forty-two neighbors and friends deployed, and after the fall of Bataan only “a few survived the Bataan Death March” and years as POWs. The armory was officially named for their unit in 1984.
The connection between the Bataan Death March and the Standard Products factory makes Port Clinton’s WWII story uniquely poignant. While Company C’s soldiers were enduring one of the war’s greatest tragedies overseas, their families were contributing to victory on the home front by building the very weapons needed to bring those soldiers (and thousands of others) home. In fact, an historical account notes that many who went to work at Standard Products did so because they had lost loved ones at Bataan, and they were determined to help the war effort. It’s a powerful example of a community turning its grief into action. Every M1 Carbine that rolled off the Port Clinton assembly line was more than just a rifle – it was a symbol of resilience and revenge, a small hometown’s answer to the sufferings of its sons in combat.
Honoring a Legacy of Service
From the quiet shores of Camp Perry to the empty lot behind Bassett’s, Port Clinton is filled with reminders of its wartime legacy. What was once a bustling factory is now gone – “demoed” and cleared, with only memories and a few photos like mine to mark its existence. But the stories forged there remain alive. The next time you find yourself in Port Clinton, pause for a moment. Whether you’re browsing Bassett’s Market (I personally never leave without one of their fresh donuts and a smile from the staff) or attending the National Matches at Camp Perry, you’re walking in the footsteps of ordinary Americans who achieved extraordinary things. They endured the unendurable, from garand-thumb bruises during rifle practice to heart-wrenching losses on the battlefield. And through it all, they kept marching – or working – forward.
Here at Garand Thumb Blog, we aim to keep these memories alive for future generations of shooters and history buffs. Port Clinton’s WWII legacy shows how a small town made a big impact. It’s a legacy of service and sacrifice we should never forget, and one that gives our community a lasting place in the chronicles of World War II. In the end, the story behind Bassett’s is about more than an old building – it’s about the people whose grit and determination continue to inspire, long after the rifles have fallen silent.
Sources: Historical data on Standard Products’ M1 Carbine production; Camp Perry and Company C memorial information; first-hand local accounts of Bataan and war production efforts; and recollections compiled in Pacific Standard’s Rust Belt feature.
Camp Perry Chronicles: A Wild Week of Heat, Delays, and Hilarity
This past week at Camp Perry was nothing short of an adventure. The heat was on, and so were the delays—thanks to the ever-reliable KTS targets in the P100 match. If you were there, you know the heat was relentless, and the delays were, well, equally relentless. But hey, at least Jeff had a memorable moment, holding a round at 300 yards. Quite the feat, right?
Speaking of memorable moments, we had a little situation with some captain in the reserves trying to enforce a “they’re gonna make you put your shirt on” policy. Because nothing says “competitive shooting” like a little body shaming, right? But we all know no one’s going to make us put a shirt on if we don’t want to. It’s Camp Perry, after all!
Then came the NTI match. Let’s just say it wasn’t our finest hour. I saved two rounds because my gun decided to give up on me at the worst possible moment. Jeff didn’t fare much better, but at least it wasn’t as hot that day. Small wins, right?
Now, the Hearst Doubles match was a comedy of errors. What did we do wrong? We showed up, and that was enough to keep things interesting. And then, in a turn of events that only adds to the legend of Camp Perry, the team match got canceled because of what can only be described as the “pussification” of CMP. Apparently, 25 mph winds and like 10 inches of rain were just too much for some folks. So, the match got moved, and we had to shoot it on Thursday.
In that rescheduled team match, I had a grand old time beating my rifle with a hammer to get the rounds off. Not exactly the textbook technique, but it got the job done.
The Rattle Battle was a bit of a miss-fest for me, and then came the wood gun matches. Let’s just say my offhand shooting was… creative. I missed five times, and the match director, Brian Williams, was kind enough to give me a personal participation award. A true honor!
As for the Vintage Sniper match, I took a pass, but Jeff braved it. It dragged on forever, thanks to a combination of obstacles, including some boats in the impact area and a few too many folks slowing things down.
All in all, it was a week to remember, full of challenges, laughs, and a few good stories for next time. Can’t wait to do it all over again!
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You’re standing there like a tax-paying citizen. “With bolts closed on empty chambers…LOAD.” Drop to position, squeeze off one shot—and your mag chokes. Or worse, it jams before the first round even gets out.
This isn’t a moment for thinking. This is a moment for reloading.
What You Do
Don’t pause. Don’t save rounds. Don’t look around hoping for sympathy.
Fix the malfunction. Reload. Fire all 10.
You don’t get points for hesitation. You get zeros. This is service rifle, not story hour.
Why It’s Legal (And You Better Know It)
CMP Rule 7.5.2: If a competitor experiences a malfunction during rapid-fire that requires reloading, they may reload with another magazine or clip to complete firing. The only restriction is that no more than 10 rounds may be fired in the rapid-fire string.
That rule doesn’t care whether the malfunction happened before your first shot or after your eighth. If it happened after the command to fire, it’s a mid-string malfunction, and you’re allowed to reload and finish the job.
You’re not breaking anything. You’re literally following the rule as written.
What Might Happen After
Sometimes the Range Officer gets it—they’ve been there. They’ll nod and move on.
But sometimes you’ll get the other kind. The self-appointed match lawyer. The competitor next to you who saw you slam in a new mag and thinks they’ve just caught you cheating. They’ll go tattle. Maybe a RO comes over with questions.
That’s fine.
You calmly say:
“I had a malfunction during the string. I reloaded and fired 10 rounds total. CMP Rule 7.5.2 covers it.”
Then stop. If they want to keep talking, refer them to the rulebook. If they’re still unsure, ask (politely) for the Chief RO or Match Director. You’re not being difficult—you’re just defending a legal action, done by the book.
Final Word
If your mag dies after the command to fire—whether or not you got a round out—you reload and finish. No hesitation. No panic. No drama.
Fire 10. Argue later. Be calm. Be right. Keep the points.
