National Match M1...maybe?

I picked up this M1 Garand from the CMP south store recently and it appears to be a national match rifle. The stock is dinged up some but all the metal is real nice with very little wear, and the barrel has readings 1 ME and 2 TE. The stock has no bedding or marking inside. It also has a HRA trigger group with wear matching the rest of the rifle, but this may have been switched out by cmp armorers.

Neither the store tag or certificate show that it is a NM rifle and I was told without any documentation it’s not a legitimate NM. I would appreciate any information you folks knowledgeable about NM rifles could provide so that I can determine if this is a legitimate NM. I was also told maybe the serial number 5944124 can be looked up in the NM records, and I would appreciate any help that someone can provide with that.

Thanks in advance.

https://i.imgur.com/MZ9bktw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2PFPvZ1.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HKDZbs2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Bi5KQSl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9VM1yxv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rp612JH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qnZyFUg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/pNQEwsV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dJaU4AN.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2scY3cV.jpg

I checked the serial number and there was no hit in my book. Nice lookin' rifle too.

Looks like it started life as a 1959 National Match, the cross stamp on the barrel is SA's code for a '59 NM. When M1 NM use was finally over, we gave most of them to Greece but also downgraded some to issue status. Could be one of those. You are correct that it will be almost impossible to document and prove.

Good find really nice Rifle

Thank you all for the information, much appreciated (even info in post that was since deleted was interesting and helpful so thank you also).

So do you think this rifle has any collectible value as it is, or should I let it go?

I already have a nice 5.9 million SA for shooting.

For $25 you can write a letter to Sandy Farlow at the South Store and she will do a serial number research on the rifle then you will know exactly what you have. I would keep that rifle as it is a rare variant in MHO.