Springfield M1922 - Looking for info

[joefriday22]

Hi guys,

My father is visiting from up-state NY (the sticks) so yesterday we went around to some gun shops and the last one that we went to was a nice local gun/militaria shop. They have auctions at the shop every so often and they were having one yesterday, I didn't know until we got there. I've always heard that he's auctions are great and now I know why. First, they have a BBQ going with free hot dogs and hamburgers, plus free drinks and even free beer (I don't drink though)..but anyway..pretty cool. Nice items and at very good prices for the most part, there was one WW2 German paratrooper helmet that went for $3,500 but most guns went cheap. NIB WInchester 94 for $310 and so on. I let a really nice 1896 saddle ring Krag carbine go for $860, a buddy of mine just paid $2,700 for one in the same condition.

I did win a nice WW2 Japanese helmet with liner and chin strap and this Springfield M1922MII. It's not mint and it's been parked but I've been wanting one for a while and just won't pay the $1,500 plus that they usually go for.

There are a few areas of light pitting around the left side of the receiver. The barrel is dated 12-35. The period sling is in pretty good shape too.









Can anyone tell me anything about this, approximate value is always nice too.

Thank you,
Rob

[JimF in CT]

Looks to be a nice M1 "issue" SA rebuild/remodel to "issue" M2 configuration.

If you paid less than a grand, you stole it! --Jim

[Jeff L]

Yes, if you paid less than a grand you did fine. They're nice to own and fun to shoot. My only problem is when I shoot mine I want to pull the bolt all the way back like on my 03s. I'll probably break a spring at some point. Hershel is the resident expert on them. Good score.

-Jeff L

[joefriday22]

Thanks guys, I paid less than $1,000 for it.

I went to a local gun shop today and they had two 1922 M1's behind the counter. They were both in excellent condition, with original blued/black finish and original configuration with no upgrades. One was serial number 34,,yes 34 and it was $1,499 and the other was in the same condition serial number 1,7?? and was $999....both already sold..

I've been sick all day over it.

[reddogge]

That's a fine rifle and a great example of a SA rebuild. Just for kicks what color is the bolt race? Parkerized or in the white?

[Herschel]

joefriday22, Your rifle's correct nomenclature is Model of 1922MII. This rifle was produced as a 1922M1 in the 1927-1928 time frame. Sometime after 1935 it was upgraded to 1922MII by having the bolt, magazine, and stock replaced with the M2 type. When this was done there was an additional I stamped after the model number and a B added as a suffix to the serial number. Since the barrel is date 1935, I think the barrel was replaced at the same time as the upgrade. The cartouche in the stock is a rebuild cartouche. The parkerized finish is not original to this rifle. You can examine the bolt well (round channel the bolt moves in) to see if it is in the white or parkerized. When it came as a new rifle from Springfield Armory the bolt well was in the white. Parkerized finish in the bolt well indicates the rifle was refinished. Even with all these non-original parts, you got a good buy on this rifle. If I find similar rifles priced under $1,000 I try to buy them as I can resell them for $1,200 or so. When "Bubba" lists one of these rifles for sale on one of the internet auctions he invariable and inaccurately describes it as original finish and prices it at $1,500 and up. It seems he never gets the message as I see them relisted, relisted and relisted.