1922 1922

[Jridings36]

Hello all I'm a newbie to the forum. I have never posted in a forum before so if I do it wrong please don't flame me to hard.

I got lucky and ran across this gun yesterday. From what I can tell it is a first run 1922 not a M1 or M2. No extra holes and I would say for a 92 year old gun the finish is excellent condition. The bolt and mag well are white so I don't think it has been refinished. The serial number is 135x and it has the double firing pin and 11-22 on the end of the barrel. Everything seems to be correct except for the Lyman sight it only goes to 60. The stock is different than most but I have found pictures of a few early models with stocks like mine only I think someone did a checkering job on mine. I wanted to get some expert opinions I'm hoping to get some input from Hershel he seems to be the resident expert.
I have seen what the M1 and 2s sell for but was wondering if this gun is worth more or less than them. The pictures I took were with my cell and don't offer a lot of detail but I plan on taking some better ones tomorrow if needed I can post them. Anyway good bad or ugly she is mine now. Thanks in advance.

Information

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[Herschel]

Jridings36, Welcome to the forum. You did a good job of describing the rifle. The pictures also give me some additional insight into what it is. The stock on your rifle is the original type for the rifle. It is usually referred to as the NRA stock but sometimes called the 1922 stock. The checkering on the stock is aftermarket and generally considered a devaluing factor but to me it doesn't detract from the value if well executed and in a tasteful pattern. The stocks were designed to facilitate checkering and other modification to suite the buyer's idea of how to make it more attractive and useful. The Lyman 48 on the rifle is much later than the rifle. A correct sight will have the elevation scale numbered to 125 , and will have one minute clicks of elevation. The front sight appears to be a small globe type. If it is, it will be a simple matter to replace with the correct original type front sight. The 1922 came with the same front sight as the 1903. They are readily available and inexpensive. Other than the stock modification, possible aftermarket front sight and incorrect rear sight, your rifle seems to be all original in parts and finish. Getting the original type 1922 magazine is a real bonus. Those magazines alone sell for $400 to $600 and are not readily available at any price. There are not a lot of sales of the 1922 models so it is hard to say what the going price is. They are more valuable than either the 1922M1 or M2 rifles due to their scarcity. A couple of years ago I bought a very low numbered 1922 that was original in parts and finish. It had some light rust and bluing wear. I paid $2,000.00 for it. It came with a couple of 1922M1 magazines. I spent $400.00 for a correct magazine for it. Within the last few months I bought a 1922 that had original parts and finish. It had scope blocks mounted that I believe to have been installed as aftermarket items. I bought it on a package deal with another rifle and consider that I have $2,600.00 in it. If you can post or email me some clear, closeup photos of the stock checkering and front sight I can give you a more valid opinion about them.

[Jridings36]

Hershel thanks for taking the time to reply. I have added some more detailed photos but I had to host them elsewhere because of the file size. Once again I value your opinion and any information you or any one else can provide. Thanks in advance.


Jridings36's Library | Photobucket

[Herschel]

The checkering is not of the quality that I hoped to see. Perhaps the grooves could be cut a little deeper to make the points sharper. They probably should just be left as they are. The small globe front sight is something new to me. Does it have a reticle in it or is it just a tube to aim through? As I said earlier, the Lyman 48 sight is a later type that requires no or very little inletting for the base. The windage and elevation adjustment knobs are the "hunter" type that require a coin or tool to turn. Should you want to return the rifle to exact original configuration, the sights would be one of the easiest things to replace. The front sight blade could be easily replaced with the issue type. A 48C rear sight can easily be found. I have several spares. They usually sell in the $150 price range, depending on condition. Most you see will have the 1/2 minute sight adjustment clicks. I would consider that a minor problem. The proper vintage Lyman 48 will have the deeper base that fills the mortised out place in the stock. The NRA stock was in production for many years and can be found at gun shows and on the internet auctions, should you elect to replace the checkered one. Even withl the minor modifications, you have a very nice rifle.

[Jridings36]

The front sight is simply a small round tube no reticle inside it. I would like to replace any parts that are not original to this gun and, would be interested in buying the correct sight if you have one you would sell. Should you run across a stock please keep me in mind. One other thing I would like to ask is. Is it possible to have this gun certified through Springfield and is it worth the money/effort it takes to do so? Once again thanks for you time.

[Herschel]

I checked my SRS Sales records and found that your rifle is not listed there. Very few of the 1922 Models are listed so that is no surprise. Since your rifle is still in the NRA stock and has the original finish I suspect that it was sold to a civilian many years ago. The 1922 models that remained in govt inventory usually will be found to have been upgraded to 1922MII.