LSB#: 150313DS50
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: M1A
Serial Number: 013556
Year of Manufacture: 1980 (http://m14forum.com/reference/6748-sa-inc-m1a-serial-number-born-date-database-000001-100000-a.html) It was sent back to Springfield Armory in 1988 for a new .243 Win. Barrel and other work.
Caliber: .243 Winchester
Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine
Markings: Receiver: “US RIFLE / 7.62-mm M1A / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / 013556”
Trigger Group:”7267030-S.”
Hammer: “5546008 HR C” and “3” in white pencil
Op Rod:”7267064 HRA / 9” – A Harrington and Richardson part.
Bolt: “7790186 / TRW ZJ”- A TRW (Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge) bolt.
Barrel: “GENESEO, IL” and “3” in white pencil.
The stock is described below.
Barrel Length: Approximately 22 inches, 24 ¼ to the end of the permanently attached muzzle break. The removal screw has been tack welded or soldered on so that it will not come out.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a .062 National Match post set between two protective ears. The right side of the sight is marked “NM 062”. The rear sight is a fully adjustable National Match aperture. The front of the elevator is marked “NM”. The windage knob is marked “LEFT arrow” twice and “DRC”. The elevation knob is marked from “2 -12” in increments of two and “WCE”. The rifle comes with a variable power scope with fine duplex and center dot reticle. The scope is secured by a quick release mount that has two rings attached to it. The quick release mount has compression levers that secure it to two small sections of picatinny style rail. The rail is atop a side and rear mounted base that secures to the receiver on the left with a bolt and on the top rear of the receiver to a dovetail slot on the receiver. This base is marked “TSA” on the left. The scope base, mounts and rings show several light scrapes and a few areas of light thinning on the edges. The scope base is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The quick release mount / ring assembly is in about Fine condition. The scope is marked “LEUPOLD” on the left, “3 – 9 VARI-X II” twice around the front of the tube, from “3 – 9” on the power ring and with patent numbers & “MADE IN U.S.A.” around the rear of the tube. The parallax ring is marked “25 40 50 100 200 400 infinity”. The tube shows a few light scrapes and handling marks. The lenses appear clear, the power ring functions and the adjustment knobs turn. The lenses need to be properly cleaned. The scope is in about Fine condition. The scope comes with hard rubber lens covers that are held secure by a rubber band. It is marked “”Michaels of Oregon / QD Scope Cover”. It needs to be cleaned. It is in about Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The inside of the stock is marked “3” in white pencil. The left side, next to the receiver, is marked “SA”. The two piece hardwood stock has a ventilated fiberglass upper handguard, pistol grip, metal nose caps, through bolt, two sling swivels and a hard rubber recoil pad. The stock appears to have originally been an M14 stock. The opening for the selector lever and other areas at the top of the stock have been filled with epoxy to fit the rifle. The left side of the grip and the forearm show several light compression marks and scrapes. The remainder of the wood shows light scrapes and handling marks. The LOP measures 13 1/2 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The stock rates in about Very Good to FIne overall condition, as repaired.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original; The left side of the receiver, at the wood line appears to have been touched up.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The left side of the receiver, at the wood line, has small areas of the finish that have worn off. We believe this area of the finish had been touched up. The metal shows light scrapes, scuffs and a few light scratches. The screw heads are intact. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork& Accessories: The rifle comes with a scope, base and a quick release mount with rings; see above. It also comes with paperwork from the consignor. The paperwork is from Springfield Armory Inc., and has the rifles serial number on it. It is dated 08/16/88. It lists charges for items purchased including the new Super Match .243 Winchester barrel and installation. The paperwork is discolored, creased and stained. It is in about Vey Good condition.
Our Assessment: This Springfield M1A was made back in 1980 and left the factory as a National Match M1A in .308 Winchester. In 1988 it was sent back to Springfield Armory for where it was given a few new additions that included a new bolt and an M1A .243 Super Match barrel. It has also been given a nice Leupold 3-9 power scope. The stock has a few cosmetic issues, but the rifle looks Great. This is a rare one; we just don’t see M1A rifles in .243 Winchester.
Here is some information on the .243 Winchester from Wikipedia: “The .243 Winchester (or 6.2x52mm) (also known as the 6.14x51mm) is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Initially designed as a varmint round, it may be used for wildlife and game such as coyote, blacktail deer, whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and wild hogs. It can also be used against larger game such as black bear, but is sometimes said to be “too light” for such large game. Rounds heavier than 90 grains are better suited for hunting larger game while rounds less than 90 grains are more suitable for varmints. The .243 is based on a necked down .308 cartridge case.”
The following is taken from http://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-532264.html where they cite, M14 Rifle History and Development Fifth Edition: “Springfield Armory, Inc. offered M1A rifles chambered in .243 Winchester from at least 1978 until 1994 and in .358 Winchester from 1978 to 1980. Barrel blanks in .22, 6 mm, .25, .270, 7 mm, .30 and .35 caliber were offered from 1978 through 1980. Springfield Armory, Inc. would install one of their barrels into a M1A rifle during this period for a nominal charge, $10.00 to $14.00. From 1990 and later, the M1A was available in 7mm-08. These M1A rifles were sold in the United States and in countries where civilians were prohibited from owning military compatible ammunition, e.g., France. For example, Super Match M1A serial number 088619 was custom built in 1995 by Springfield Armory, Inc. It had a Hart 7mm-08 heavyweight barrel and the receiver was rear lugged. M1A rifles exported to Spain are chambered for .307 Winchester.”
Mint Springfield Armory M1A Super Match - with Leupold Scope.308 Description: This is a mint, as purchased example of a Springfield M1A Super Match. It comes in the original Springfield carry case with the basic Springfield paperwork, and is equipped with a. Springfield Armory M1A Super Match Brown Rifle 22' 7.62 NATO 10 RD MPN: SA9102.
Springfield M1a Super Match Rifle
Springfield M1a Super Match Serial Numbers Lookup
Springfield Armory - Winchester Duplicate WW2 Serial Ranges List courtesy of Rolling Thunder@CMP Manufacturer Serial Range Start Serial Range End Total (Approx.) Type of Overrun WRA 1,357,474 1,387,9XX 30,000 WRA overrun of SA serial numbers. Lee Emerson has made the following M1A Serial Number Comments: 000001 to 003700 Texas era receivers tend to exhibit one or more dimensional flaws as identified by retired M14 gunsmith Art Luppino. Springfield Armory, Inc. In Texas assembled about 2000 complete rifles using USGI parts before it was sold to Bob Reese (Geneseo, IL). Springfield Armory, Inc. M1A Serial Number Chronology by Lee Emerson 100617 Short answer: The collector’s choice would be a factory built standard model M1A rifle between serial numbers 0422XX and 063000. You can e-mail me for a complimentary copy of this in.pdf format. Springfield Armory SA M1A SuperMatch Super Match PRE BAN 1994 308 WIN Item Description Serial Number 047915. This auction is for a fired little Springfield Armory M1A Supermatch. My resource states this rifle is Pre Ban, 1994 manufacture. You do your own research to determine what you are buying. 22' barrel, with a excellent bore.