Something you dont see everyday

[Orlando]

Just thought some might like to see this .First one I have ever had in my possesion.
Type II Round body follower rod used late Oct. 1940 to early Jan. 1941 .
Just dont see these everyday

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Yes, very interesting. Very early too I should think. The machining for that would not be cost effective so it would have to end. I can't wait to find out what the full poop on this one is...

[Bob Seijas]

It's part of a really puzzling issue. As we know, the new Wallace Barnes round spring was developed roughly in the 70000 serial area but then not actually used until the 200,000 range. Guns in that gap were assembled with a single keystone spring, and we have featured several of them in the GCA Journal. So the question is, if the keystone spring needed a compensating spring to correct sluggish action before that, why was it suddenly OK by itself again? There is some speculation that the single keystone used was longer, but no documentation has turned up. It seems remote that JCG and SA wouldn't have tried a longer spring when the need for the comp spring first arose.

[RCS]

I bought a M1 rifle s/n 168578 with a S-A 12-40 barrel (small import stamp on the barrel) around 1992, this rifle had the round body follower rod and a Keystone spring. The round body follower rod replaced the follower rod with the comp spring. Both the Wallace Barnes round wire spring and the keystone spring were used on this follower rod, some collectors believe there was a different length keystone spring used on the round body follower rod . Winchester do not use this follower rod as the serrations are all SA. I have a data sheet on s/n 189209 with a S-A 1-41 barrel and a round body follower rod with a keystone spring.

[RCS]

Attachment 37596Attachment 37597Attachment 37598Attachment 37599


Most of the keystone springs are listed at 18 3/4 inches long with 280 coils (Pyle).
I have been collecting data from a few friends and have made the following chart:

19 3/16 inches with 289 coils (GA) 19 1/8 inches with 285 coils (RS)

18 3/4 inches with 280 coils (NP) 19 inches with 283 coils (RS)

18 7/8 inches with 281 coils (SL) 18 7/8 inches with 281 coils (CR)

some of these keystones springs are longer and have additional coils, it would almost seem they were made for the round body follower rod ? the Wallace Barnes round wire also fit