CMP M1D - To leave sealed or not

[PHSINV]

I have searched through the milsurps forums in an effort to find an answer and either I'm not using the right search terms or I'm just not seeing it.

I won the lottery for an M1D in 1996 from DCM (or CMP, I forget when the name changed). I got it with the intent of shooting it competitively, but life intervened. In any event, I've never opened any of the bagged/sealed components including the rifle.

At this point, 18 years later, I will probably not shoot it and just hang onto it. As for documentation, I have the original congrats letter from DCM, the carbon copies of the postal money order for $650 I sent DCM, the return receipt, the box it was shipped in, and the BII for the parts list, and all the parts.

My question is this. Should I take the rifle out of the bag - it has holes where the weapon has rubbed through the plastic so it's not airtight anymore - at least just to oil and maintain it? I live in the mid Atlantic, so humidity is an issue in the summer, but our house is air conditioned.

Thank you gentlemen!

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[Sarge1998]

My question is this. Should I take the rifle out of the bag - it has holes where the weapon has rubbed through the plastic so it's not airtight anymore - at least just to oil and maintain it? I live in the mid Atlantic, so humidity is an issue in the summer, but our house is air conditioned.

Welcome

You would be foolish not to take it out and inspect it, take some pictures and you choose whether to return it to the same condition as you opened it. I'd make sure it was properly cared for and stored.

[Al Diehl]

I can't help. The whole concept of the question is foreign to me. I would have been tearing it open while the UPS man was trying to get it to the porch.


Al

[limpetmine]

Once you open it, it is impossible to "return it to the same condition".
An example such as this has a desirable quality that a few collectors will pay a premium for.
if you're not going to shoot it, why would you destroy the inherit value of it?

It's yours, do as you like. But know that once you break the seal, it's lost something that you can't get back.

[WarPig1976]

God YES take it out. Metal needs to be oiled!! Plastic traps moisture, hopefully it's not rusted or speckled anywhere. Screw getting a "premium",,, make certain to preserve the stuff first.

If it was me I'd shoot the snot out of it,,,but that's me..

[browningautorifle]

I'd get rid of the plastic, clean and oil it and use it regularly.

[RT Ellis]

Somebody is eventually going to un-pack the piece, might as well have the experience yourself and enjoy the experiece, and I agree with those that are encouraging inspection and cleaning as required for preservation. Same goes for shooting, eventually someone is going to shoot it, I'd shoot it but would feel responsible for a through cleaning afterwards, and I haven't done any shooting in a long time because I hate cleaning firearms.

There are a couple of ways to think of material culture equipment. Some people believe that they are caretakers of historical objects that should be preserved for future education. Others take the view that they "own" the equipment and that the historical value of material irrelevant. I suppose part of your decision making on this piece is your philosopy of your roll in the future of the piece. If the piece is obviously in good condition but of no great historical value then putting a few more rounds through it isn't going to change the status of the equipment.

I have the luxury of multiple examples of U.S. military firearms so I can chose to shoot examples and preserve without firing others. For example I acquired a rifle M1903 that is still in cosmoline after rebuild at Benecia Arsenal. I have other M1903s that I have live fired, and prefer to preserve the previously mentioned rifle as an example of how a rifle appeared and was preserved after rebuild. I am hoping that there will be a preservationist that will appreciate my efforts some time in the future.

The shooters will argue that there are so many of these rifles around there is no point to not shoot the piece. However if everyone that acquired an interesting piece as you have had that philosopy there wouldn't be any left for posterity. A great many M-1 rifles that are examples of post manufacture rebuild and are therefore examples of that stage in the history of the rifles are bring "restored" with parts intended to make the rifles "original." The fact is that a collector cannot restore a rifle to original condition, but can only create a new history of the piece.

[gtodan]

Unpack it, take copious photos of the process and enjoy this fine piece......

[Joe W]

And after you open it please post the pictures of it. The rifle, not the old wrapping material.

[Brian Dick]

I won one of the M1D rifles surplused from the 20th SFG headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama back in 1999. I carefully unwrapped it, maintain and shoot it from time to time. I still have all the accessories and the original shipping box from CMP. Of course, it's a used rifle with plenty of character and it certainly didn't hurt it. I've also had a couple of CMP M1D's over the years that were minty with all new, sealed accessories. I opened one of the packets with the new leather cheek rest and guess what? It was dry rotten beyond repair and had to be replaced. Food for thought. I doubt seriously the way things are going that the value is going to be hurt much if you maintain, shoot and enjoy it.