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I saw this receiver on gun broker and couldn't resist. September 1940 date. I referenced the fall 2014 GCA journal article by Scott Duff and Bob Seijas, "The Last Gas Trap" Thinking this serial number was pretty close to when they started making gas ports, to find it was a couple of thousand off. Still always wanted a pre-war, and looking forward to bringing it to life.
Early Receiver Slideshow by dommy13 | Photobucket
I have done some of these 1940 restorations and would advise you to look for a receiver without the rear anneal color - if you are going to use a 1940 barrel. The SA SPG no trap stocks with two equal sized holes are
about gone, but you could convert a worn SA GHS stock to no trap. The op rods and other period parts can be located - if you have the money. You can still buy repro keystone & comp springs too
It sure looks like it's in good enough shape to work with though. The original parts will kill though, price wise.
I would love to take the time and find the appropriate parts for this receiver, but I just don't have the financial wares to do that. I'm going to build this up with parts I have on hand and some stuff I need to get. I have a very nice January 1955 Springfield barrel for it, and a revision 6 op-rod. Little at a time and then I have another rifle for the range. I was excited to get such a low serial numbered receiver, I had to get it.
Restoring one that early will not make sense economically but it can be great fun and very educational. Don't rush it, doing it well will take years.
I follow you there, I had the chance to separately purchase SA 153 and SA 154 with a bit of time in between. They were both functioning rifles and the owners thought they were worth millions...just Danish returns. Nothing special. I have a soft spot for low numbers though...Quote:
Originally Posted by SA M1Dom
Bob, is it possible this receiver was in the first run of gas port rifles? Or is the number too high?
Early gas port barrels were dated S-A-6-40 and used revision 2 receivers around the 50K range - maybe some in the very late 40K range.
photo shows 52112 with S-A-7-40 bbl, original springs and SA SPG stock (some restoration was done)
The last gas traps were over the 50K serial range and used revision 2 receiversAttachment 68486Attachment 68487Attachment 68488Attachment 68489
Odds are very high that it was originally made as a Gas Port. They started in the high 40ooo range and only a small lot of Gas Traps over 50,000 were made, I think to use up a lot of 100 or 200 GT barrels rejected by Art Tuttle and recycled. The 60,000 range would almost surely be Gas Port.
I recently acquired SA #50694 and these fellas are correct. It's a project of of few parts, lots of money and research. I was lucky in I found an "SPG" stock and most of the internals were correct. I think the barrel is probably the hardest part to find, but hope springs eternal.
Good luck on you quest.