Early M1A question

[Hollywood]

Would an M1A in the mid 3000 serial range be a good deal at $1500? It is in near new condition. Here's the parts lowdown: SAK barrel, NM marked. NM marked front and rear sights, small aperture. All HRA trigger group. Walnut stock, bedded. What looks to be an SA Inc bolt, cant remember the drawing number. Not sure what the op rod is.

Information

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[Bob Seijas]

I would say yes. Mine is 003130 and I wouldn't sell it for that. They are right after the Devine, Texas guns that collectors prize, I believe they were from the first lot of receivers left over.

[Hollywood]

Nice rifle! Where did you get the walnut handguard? I would like to find one for one of my rifles.

[Bob Seijas]

Heh, heh, great old story. When SA switched to plastic, they threw all the walnut guards on the trash pile. A handyman there loaded his truck with them and used them for kindling in his wood stove. Sarco eventually learned of it and bought what he had left for 50 cents apiece. They sold them at $20each. When they got down to 30 or so, they raised the price to $30, then to $50 as they ran out. I bought two at $20 and one at $50.

As you can see in the photo, the stock has no flipper, either. They used to turn up at shows once in a while, usually sold at a discount to regular M14 wood because they lacked the flipper

[jmoore]

Couple of old threads w/ pics of early M14 furniture:

M14 stock w/ M1 buttplate - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

M14 Wood Handguards - Page 2 - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

(More photos on pg. 3 as well)

RCS started the pics, but his example on pg. 1 of the second thread shown above is gone, maybe someone else can do some photos too!

[Griffith]

I got a walnut handguard from Springfield Armory when they were Located in an old Grain Elevator in Genoso Ill. I was on my way from Michigan to Iowa and decided to stop. Went to the front office and said that I was look for some parts for my M1A. They sent me to a back room with barrels of parts. Saw the handguard and said why not. They gave it to me for $5. "Ah the good ole days. griffy

[Bill Hollinger]

When did the walnut handguard issue start with S/A? I bought two from them 15 plus years ago and they were listed as a stock item.

[RCS]

SA Inc had the repro walnut handguards during the very late 1980's - these handguards were oversized and rather thick. The rear band sank down really deep - most owners did a real slim job on both sides plus removing wood from the top. I think the newer repro handguard is a better representation. Alot of the originals were very thin and developed cracks at the rear end