This rifle was built in late 1956 or early 1957 for the 1957 National Matches. For the 1957 matches the rifle was still required to be a "service rifle as issued", therefore when built, the barrel was the only part marked NM and only minor gunsmithing was allowed. Things such as refining the trigger pull and selecting a good fitting stock. One thing that was allowed in 1957 but not allowed prior was the use of the NM rear sight aperture and the NM marked front sight. These parts were not installed by Springfield Armory when the rifle was built but could be shooter installed for 1957. This rifle does have these NM sights but other than this, and the NM marked barrel, the rifle is the same as any late 6.0 SA service rifle.
This rifle was loaned at Camp Perry to an Army Master Sgt. who was a member of the Minnesota National Guard. The Sgt. used this rifle throughout the 1957 National Matches and at the conclusion of the matches, purchased the rifle from Ordnance. I have the "Cash Sales Receipt" dated 8 Sept. 1957, documenting the sale to the Sgt. on behalf of the Ordnance officer. I also have the Sgts original record score book that he used throughout the matches.
The rifle built for 1957 was the last NM M1 rifle that was still selected from regular service rifle production and remained in "service rifle as issued" configuration.
This rifle was loaned at Camp Perry to an Army Master Sgt. who was a member of the Minnesota National Guard. The Sgt. used this rifle throughout the 1957 National Matches and at the conclusion of the matches, purchased the rifle from Ordnance. I have the "Cash Sales Receipt" dated 8 Sept. 1957, documenting the sale to the Sgt. on behalf of the Ordnance officer. I also have the Sgts original record score book that he used throughout the matches.
The rifle built for 1957 was the last NM M1 rifle that was still selected from regular service rifle production and remained in "service rifle as issued" configuration.
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