Type 2 National Match

I recently picked up a Type 2 NM at the LGS. Serial 6083994. I got the CMP letter saying it was sold as a NM August 21, 1958. It appears to have gone back to Springfield to be updated to Type 2 specs as it has a 3/62 barrel all NM marked parts and sights that I can see, the trigger group is marked with the last 4 of the serial and stock there is glass bedded in the springfield manner. I did not remove action from stock. Should I clean it up or leave it in grease? What do you guys think? I will try to post pics from my phone.
Can't seem to find how to do from phone. Any help would be appreciated

Let these guys have a look before you get an answer...then things will be clear.

I own NM M1 Rifle, #6095050, that I bought as a new item at Cp. Perry on August 28, 1958. I had dozens of new NM M1's to pick from in the arms room. I selected a high numbered one as I had heard that M1 receivers were no longer being built and that NM rifles were being assembled on used receivers. I wanted a NEW one. It came with issue type rear sight aperture and issue front sight. With the rifle I was provided NM front and rear sights and was told that the Army armorers would install them on the rifle for me, which I had done. I was at the National Matches on the 4th Army Area ROTC rifle team. some 2 or 3 years later I earned that the NM Rifles then being sold were coming with glass bedded receivers. Thinking that would make my rifle more accurate, I paid an army armorer $40.00 to glass bed it for me. Now I know that modification has reduced the rifle's value to a collector. That makes no difference as I plan to keep it. Some day in the future I am sure that #6095050, will be in the hands of someone who will try to figure out whether it is a type ! or type 2. I used the rifle to shoot in the 1959 National Matches as I was awaiting going on active duty for training in the US Army. Other than shooting in those matches and a couple of gun club matches it has not been fired. I had only a receipt for paying for the rifle and it did not include the serial number. Years later I wrote to the CMP and got a letter stating their records indicated the rifle had been sold to me as a NM M1. I plan to keep the sales receipt and CMP letter with the rifle as provenance for some future owner. FWIW

It was common for owners to upgrade their rifles as new improvements were permitted. All the NM parts were for sale by the DCM, and armorers' vans were at most major matches to improve or service your rifle on request. You are right that these cloud things up for modern collectors, but nobody cared at the time.

Hershel said: "It came with issue type rear sight aperture and issue front sight. I was provided NM front and rear sights and was told that the Army armorers would install them on the rifle for me, which I had done."

Yes, NM sights had been permitted since 1957 but were not installed by SA on new rifles until 1959. In '57 and '58 the shooter had to put them on if he wanted them, as Hershel did.

photos added

I have added photos. I did not remove action from stock as it is VERY tight! No surprise there!
I will only do so if I decide to clean it. Bob what do you think? Any idea of value?
Thanks
Tom

Hard to say, Tom... the sales docs say 1958 but as you point out, it is no longer in 1958 configuration. The upgrades clearly look like SA work, but there's no proof of that. In the absence of documentation the rifle has to stand on it's own... yours stands pretty tall. I would make a WAG in the $3500 to $4000 area.

Thanks Bob. I would say I did OK as I paid $2500. Do you think I should clean it?
Thanks again
Tom

For sure. There's nothing magic about the grease that would add any value.

Did some cleaning & took more pics. Enjoy

A little out of focus need more practice with camera

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tom gray

out of focus

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Just let the macro do it's job, hold still and VERY close. You'll get perfect pics.