Story and pictures of M1 Garand National Match serial #3414047

[rch]

I got the bug for one too!

[Rick B]

Very nice and I wondered about the green tape as mine has it and mine was shipped very close to the same time as you. Pretty neat. Rick B




---------- Post added at 06:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 PM ----------

I am also starting to wonder as you have a block there that says B903 then under is a number close to mine J165. mine is Y105 J207 Could this be the build numbers? Yours was built the month before and this would make sense. Rick B

[RT Ellis]

I participated in the National Rifle and Pistol Matches, shooting both the small bore and high power rifle matches, in 1965. I have a few favorite stories about my experiences, but I thought I would share that I purchased a rifle M-1 NM at Camp Perry, for the going price, which in retrospect wasn't much. The Army made rifle M14 available to the shooters for the first time that year and I optioned to shoot the M-14 in the matches. Even though I didn't shoot the M-1 NM I purchased I had the trigger weighed and the rifle still has the sticker applied to the trigger guard to certify that the trigger pull passed weigh-in.

Shortly after I got the rifle home I disassembled it to inspect it and found the threads of the rear sight were damaged, probably cross threaded at time of assembly, so I replaced that part through DCM parts sale. The front sight NM was the newer wide ears type that I didn't like so I ordered one of the older style front sight NM and installed it. I've fired the rifle over the National Match Course a few times, but I preferred the rifle M-14, and acquired a Springfield Army Inc. rifle M-1A which I did most of my shooting with, except that for a couple of years I was on the state ARNG rifle team and was issued a rifle M-14 NM that I really enjoyed shooting, especially with free match ammunition.

So the rifle M-1 NM acquired in 1965 didn't get much use, and I have not fired it in a long time. BTW way I was 17 years old at the time I purchased the rifle and the only paper work required was my NRA membership card, and competitor's card. I still have the bill of sale, but didn't get a box or any accessories, except a web sling, I suppose because I took delivery at Camp Perry.

[Joe W]

R T Ellis - Was the bill of sale you got from Camp Perry marked "CASH SALES SLIP" on top ?? Thanks

[RT Ellis]

R T Ellis - Was the bill of sale you got from Camp Perry marked "CASH SALES SLIP" on top ?? Thanks

Here ya go sales document, and barrel marking for those of you that into that stuff... the cash sales slip was for the replacement front sight I ordered.

Attachment 54827
Attachment 54828
Attachment 54829

[Bill Hollinger]

$152.50! Wow, that was a chunk back then. Perspective on this cost, my mom and dad's custom 2250 sq ft house near the Bakersfield Country Club built in 1958 had a payment of $123.00 a month. My mother said she cried when she realized the payment was so much and wondered where the money would come from. Their prior house payment was $68.00 a month

[Bob Seijas]

Adjusted for inflation that would be $1,148 today

[browningautorifle]

$1,148 today

That's not bad for a national match...

[Bob Seijas]

Sure isn't, but Bill's point is valid... that's alot of money for the average guy to shell out for a toy.

[browningautorifle]

Agreed...