Let me start by saying that I am not the expert on the .22 Series Springfield – Herschel is.
Without personal examination by an expert, it would be impossible to determine, with certainly, that the auctioned rifle was not “rearsenaled”. My initial comments were based upon the picture which showed a square lugged bolt which would have signified a reworked rifle. By virtue of the fact that the rifle was shipped by the DCM in 1957 with the original bolt would be something of an indicator that it had not been reworked. A low serial numbered, un reworked early M2 .22 Springfield, may be worth $3000 to a collector.
I know that my rifle is not worth $3000 for it started life as a M1922M1, and somewhere during its life cycle it was converted to a M1922M1I. By virtue of the fact that it has a 1942 SA barrel and had been reparkerized I can assume that it was reworked at Springfield during the 1942 time frame; thereby removing any collector value. Whether the conversion from M1icon to M1I occurred at this time is unknowable. It was a low S/N M1 (S/N <2000) so may well have been converted before the 1942 rework. I do have another M2 .22 but it is not in collector shape either. The original stock is gone, it has been polished, and is fitted with a heavy barrel, but is equipped with the Lyman 48C and a Lyman globe target front sight.
Just some thoughts.