Springfield MK1 converted to M2

[Twinson]

I saw at a gunshow today an Springfield MK1 that was converted to M2? Stock had finger grooves and barrel was dated 1926. Condition was good and bore was also good. What is the going rate for these? Jim

[JimF]

$1200 . . . . and UP from there

[Herschel]

There are several factor to consider. Is the finish original? Almost none are original (meaning the finish that was on the rifle when it left SA as a new item).
When these rifles were manufactured the bolt well (round channel the bolt moves in) was in the white. If this area is parkerized or blued then the finish on the rifle is not original, even though it may have been done by a govt arsenal. The bolt should have the rifle serial number etched on the bottom. About half of these rifles I examine have mismatched bolts.

Reparkerized 1922MII (the model you describe) rifles are selling for $1,200 or so. Notice I said selling as that is what I can get for them. A very nice one will bring a little more. One with mismatched bolt, bad stock dings, rust, etc. will bring less. Bubba thinks every one of these rifles is a collector piece. Sometimes they are even described as collector quality when they have mismatched parts and an aftermarket Lyman 48 sight. There are several of these rifles on the big internet gun auction with minimum bids of $1,500 to $2,000. They are relisted, relisted and relisted at the same minimum price. I don't understand why the sellers can't figure it out.

There are true collector quality rifles out there. One original finish M2 issue type was recently at auction. The NRA Sales 1922M1's with original finish sometimes show up at gunshows or on the auctions but this is not an every day occurence. Of course these will command much higher prices than I mentioned above. FWIW.

[Twinson]

The guy had it listed for $975. The stock was excellent with finger grooves. I did not see any rust or pitting. The bore was shinny with good rifling. The metal finish was worn on the barrel. It looked like a nice used gun, not a collector or a bubba put together. I don't remember what the rear sight was but the front sight was a very small 1903 type blade. There were some numbers etched on top of the bolt but I did not check them against the setial number. What else should I be looking for? James