Unique Springfield 1922 questions

I have a Springfield 1922 that has the folowing markings:

Model of 1922
cal ..22 m2
106A

What's unique about it (I think) is that I have both the original barrel (stamped 5-22) and the M2 Barrel (stamped 5/37).
I have cleaned it up a bit since I took the pictures.
I'm hoping someone could give me more insight into the history of this particular rifle, and let me know if this is indeed unique or not?
I've copied links below. I'm not sure if that's the best way to post pics on this forum or not? Let me know if you have any specific questions that I can try to get the answer to. If appreciate any feedback I can get.

Thank you very much!


http://flic.kr/p/nad7Z

http://flic.kr/p/nad3bB

http://flic.kr/p/nad2Ma

http://flic.kr/p/nad7GQ

http://flic.kr/p/nad7H1

http://flic.kr/p/nad8o9

http://flic.kr/p/ntthYi

http://flic.kr/p/nad8Bq

I could not bring up your photos but I can tell you what the M2 and A on 1922 #106 mean. When the 1922 models were upgraded to M2 by replacement of the bolt and magazine, and often the stock, with the M2 versions, an A was stamped after the serial number and an M2 was stamped on the receiver ring. The M2 was large and not necessarily placed after the model number. These are not uncommon. I have owned two of them marked with the M2 and A. The finish is probably now parkerized while the original finish on the rifle would have been a rust blue. What is unusual is having the 1922 barrel with it. What is the story of how the barrel stayed with the rifle since the 1930's?

Additional: I finally got the pictures to open. The finish on your rifle looks to be original. Open the bolt and look at the round channel the bolt travels in. If the round channel is in the white, the finish on your rifle is probably original as this area was left blued/parkerized when the guns were refinished.
The stock on your rifle is the NRA type which is correct for a 1922. The stock appears to have been lengthened, maybe shortened and relengthened. Since the rifle is in the correct type stock and appears to have the original blue, I think it may have been in private ownershop, returned to SA in the 1930's to have the M2 bolt, magazine and new barrel installed. I understand that SA would do such work in he 1930's for owners of these rifles. I don't know whether SA would stamp the receivers with the A and M2 when performing the upgrade for a private party. I have checked my SRS sales data and it does not include serial number 106. The magazine shown with the rifle is a modern aftermarket one. It may or may not feed reliably. With your m2 bolted rifle the correct magazine should have a small M2 stamed in the top left side. You do indeed have a unique rifle.

Thank you for your expertise! You sure seem to have an in depth knowledge. I did forget to mention that he magazine was something I purchased with the intent on using to fire. I'm trying to locate the correct period magazine. The original still may be accessible to me, however I'm not sure if we will be able to locate it.

The rifle belonged to my friends grandfather (he passed on in the late 90's). The rumor is that he had it since it was new, although I'm not quite sure if that's a wives tale or not? He was born in 1902, so I suspect he could have been the original owner. Your explanation makes a lot of sense.
Before the original owner passed, and a decade before I bought this from his grandson, he mentioned to me that he hadn't heard of anyone else that had both the original barrel and the m2 replaced barrel. That was before I had acquired an appreciation for these fine rifles, so I didn't ask any questions.
I bought the rifle for $1000 within the past year or so. Based on what you see, how did I fare?
Oh yes, I removed the bolt, and it does look to be in the white. Is that a plus or negative for this rifle (or neither?)
Thanks again, and if anyone knows where I can buy an original magazine, I'd be very interested. I'm assuming they aren't less than a couple hundred dollars?

The original finish is a plus. The line around the stock looks like it has been cut and reattached. Is that some kind of line or does it appear to have been cut and glued back together? Original M2 magazines show up often on ebay and gunbroker. Make sure it has the three little teeth on the sides of the floorplate and is stamped M2 on the top left side. They usually sell for $100 to $125. If the bolt was installed in the rifle by Springfield Armory, the rifle's serial number should be hand etched in electric pencil on the bottom with some digits on either side of the line where the front and back parts of the bolt meet. Parts for these rifles were available from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship in the 1930's. Parts for the rifle could have been ordered from the DCM and installed by a commercial gunsmith. I would say the extra barrel would be worth $200.00 or more unless the bore is bad. If the stock has been cut you may have paid a little more than your could get back. If the stock has not been cut you good a good buy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Herschel

The original finish is a plus. The line around the stock looks like it has been cut and reattached. Is that some kind of line or does it appear to have been cut and glued back together? Original M2 magazines show up often on ebay and gunbroker. Make sure it has the three little teeth on the sides of the floorplate and is stamped M2 on the top left side. They usually sell for $100 to $125. If the bolt was installed in the rifle by Springfield Armory, the rifle's serial number should be hand etched in electric pencil on the bottom with some digits on either side of the line where the front and back parts of the bolt meet. Parts for these rifles were available from the Director of Civilian Marksmanship in the 1930's. Parts for the rifle could have been ordered from the DCM and installed by a commercial gunsmith. I would say the extra barrel would be worth $200.00 or more unless the bore is bad. If the stock has been cut you may have paid a little more than your could get back. If the stock has not been cut you good a good buy.

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Thanks again...

I pulled the bolt out and it does have the serial number with other digits etched in what you described as a pencil etch.
I didn't get the other digits , but I can if it makes a difference,
The stock has not been pulled off in the back or reattached. I always wondered what that was? It's like a pencil line perfectly straight going around the stock. Have you ever seen that before? Perhaps the original owner was considering shortening or lengthening?

I can't open your pics either.....but......why not get a good eraser and see if the line will come off ? I don't see how it could hurt to try . Anyone see a down side to this ?
Chris

I agree with Chris. Try to erase or maybe use Murphy's Oil Soap to remove the line. My first impression was the stock had been cut into at that point but I don't believe that is what made the line.

I don't understand the "other digits" comment. Sometimes bolts were reused and would have two serial numbers on them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Herschel

I agree with Chris. Try to erase or maybe use Murphy's Oil Soap to remove the line. My first impression was the stock had been cut into at that point but I don't believe that is what made the line.

I don't understand the "other digits" comment. Sometimes bolts were reused and would have two serial numbers on them.

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This is months old now, however I wanted to follow up on it and close the loop for any others that may read the thread.


Herschel - the other digits comment above that created some confusion was simply my attempt at letting you know that the numbering existed as you suggested.
Based on the wealth of info over these several posts, it appears this is still original, except the magazine, which I intend to rectify soon.
I think Herschel's suggestion that the rifle was in private ownership and sent in for the m2 upgrade makes sense. That may also explain how the original barrel from May of 1922 is still accompanying the rifle? Does anyone know if a private owner upgrade would have received the old parts back, such as the original barrel?
Lastly - I cannot for the life of me figure out what the line around the stock is all about. I can say for absolute certainty, that the stock was not lengthened or shortened . I thought it looked like a pencil mark , but i wasn't able to erase it, and when I tried to clean it off with the above recommended cleaner, it polished up like any other part of the stock would, that being it's still noticeable. It's not a cut of any sort. Does anyone know what that can possibly be?
Considering the stock has not been altered, would this have a detrimental effect on the collect-ability?
Thanks for the responses! Unlike so many forums, this group is always helpful, and professional! I wish more forums would operate with this level of class.

Maybe a slip on rubber butt pad was left on for an extended period of time.