Bought a complete National Match set up "Everything" Rare

[Rick B]

A good friend sold me his original National Match that he bought right before I was born by one month. Everything is here and I mean everything. Looks like a 1954 rebuild with mint receivers instead of newly made post war one and if correct this is one of 499 ??? Rick B

Information

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[en bloc]

That rifle is crazy sexy Rick. Enjoy her.
~Matt

[browningautorifle]

Gotta love those early number guns...

[Bob Seijas]

Because the M14 NM was long delayed by the select fire controversy, SA had to build many more NM M1s than planned. By 1959 they were about out of parts, and the lack of barrels was critical. They scrounged all over the ordnance system for tight barrels until 50,000 1953, 1954, and 1955s were found stored at Schenectady. The '54s were particularly high quality and SA grabbed them. That's why 1954 dates are the most common barrel found on Type 2 NM rifles built between 1960 and 1962.

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It has a 1960 code mark on the barrel, so that's when it was first built. The last four serial numbers should be written on the front face of the trigger housing. The hooded sight indicates a 1962 upgrade.

[Joe W]

[/COLOR]It has a 1960 code mark on the barrel, so that's when it was first built. The last four serial numbers should be written on the front face of the trigger housing. The hooded sight indicates a 1962 upgrade.

What is your take on the front sight being marked on the left side as opposed to the right ?? Also, any chance the rifle was rebuilt by SA in 1963 or at least had the NM/2A base installed in 1963, but kept it's original barrel from the 1960 build ??? I know the 77 barrel was the one normally used on 1963 builds, but the lack of the 1962 STAR code makes me wonder. Guess it really doesn't make much difference.

[Rick B]

Bob, no marks on the trigger housing but last 4 digits are in the stock barrel channel. Rick

[Rick B]

[twh]

Very nice. One of my Type2 NM rifles is also a 6 digit but it is in the 258,000 range. Kind of adds to the cool factor.

[Rick B]

In case anyone wondered about the red bedding over the original here is a pic. I am thinking of trying to remove it. It is laid on and not cut in but it is also a part of the rifle history. The oringal owner has quite a few medals and placements with this rifle as does a friend of his and mine who used it in the 70's The owner retired from it in 1970 as he went to a Model 70 Rick B

[cgroc09]

I would leave it. As you said, it's part of it's history. Once removed, you can't put it back.
My opinion only, Bubba