1922 m1

[Vulch]

I lucked into a Springfield 1922 M1 today - as far as I can tell, never upgraded, never touched by bubba. It's been in Australia a VERY VERY long time - I suspect it's been here since WW2 when the USAAF was in northern Australia.

Anyway, it needs some tidying up - VERY gently of course. Ballistol or similar on the wood (and NOTHING else), and some solvent cleaning on the metal - I tested it, and 90% of it is dried/hardened/varnished linseed and grease, and dirt, plus a LITTLE air rust. It looks worse than it really is - nothing and no one has touched it for 40 years! Bore incidentally, may as well be new.

The bolt matches, though as you can seee would benefit from a conservative polish. Nothing agressive, just tidy it up with some fine brass wool and oil. To me, the bolt handle looks to NEVER have been polished - it definitely looks to be dark finished - black parkerising or rust blue. Did any of these NOT have completely polished bolts? The cocking piece looks the same - never was polished. I could be wrong and it is just very patinated, but...

As to the barrelled action, were these black parkerised or rust blued, or??? Just need to know so I can plan my method of clean up better.

It WAS missing the magazine, but I bought 2 of those tonight. It hurt... the 2 mags cost me $225, which is a little over half of what I paid for it (yes, the rifle cost me $400 Australian - that's about $420 US). I think I did OK.

As you may see if you are keen to detail, the rear sight elevation indicator and screw is missing - anyone know where to get one? (the mounting screw was out in this shot as I had started disassembling the sight to clean it - stiff as all get out from dried gunk!)

Appreciate any help with this one. I am VERY receptive to comments/criticism/advice, so fire away, PLEASE!

[Vulch]

More pictures...AlRif_0064..jpgAlRif_0067..jpg

[Rick the Librarian]

Vulch, good to hear from you ... it's been a LONG time!!

Also people like Herschel can tell you better, look at the date on the barrel. The earlier ones were blued, I believe, but I believe the vast number of later ones were a black Park.

Can you post a closeup of the receiver markings?

[Jeff L]

Dirty indeed! Nice find. Looks like the original stock with the sloped comb. Most have the straight comb. Yes, the M1 mags are hard to find and expensive when you do find them.

Herschel is your man.

[JimF]

Looks to me like an unmolested "issue" type M1.

I'm thinking that stock is now a scarce comodity, as some (maybe most?) are now found converted to the M2 "issue" state, (as was the rest of the rifle).

I have an extra stock like yours that was converted, and in truth, I like it MORE than the "purpose-built" M2 "issue" version that my friend has. The pistol grip of the M2 is a good deal smaller than the grip of the M1 . . . . even when converted . . . . and I find even my small hand has NO support of the pinky-finger on the purpose-built M2 issue stock. When my friend . . . a BIG man . . . . tries to hold his rifle, the puny grip is REALLY apparent!!

Anywhooo . . . .Your rifle looks pretty good to me! Good luck with her --Jim

[Mike D]

I believe that is the "issue" model. Polished bolt, with the rest being blued. I wouldn't polish the bolt too much. Keep the patina matching.

First variation receiver markings. Not updated. Course checkered buttplate?

Very nice!

I'd try Gary Fellers for the sight parts. He might have some laying around. www.garyfellers.com


You beat me to it, Jim!

[Herschel]

I agree with what has been said above about your rifle. The barrel date correlates with the rifle serial number. You can remove the bolt and look at the bolt well (round channel the bolt moves in). If it is in the white that suggests the rifle has not been refinished. If the bolt well is blued/parkerized, the rifle has been refinished. It is my impression that all bolts came from SA polished. I have seen some with the blued handle in the past. I don't know what that means. I believe the 1922M1 Issue type rifles came with all but the bolt parkerized.
Unmodified 1922M1 rifles are very hard to find. You might have to find a Lyman 48 base to get the elevation indicator and screw. The bases are much easier to find than are the slides.

You really got a good buy in that one.

[Vulch]

The channel is in the white. So, not refinished. YIPEE!

Can't wait to get this one on the range.

[Cosine26]

A number of years ago I bought an M2 .22 off an army armorer who had worked at Ft. Campbell, KY. He provided me with some extra parts, such as a spare bolt, spare magazine and a spare bolt handle that had never been installed on a rifle. It is the late model with the allen screw adjustment but has no slug to lock the bolt head adjustment. It was either blued or smoothly parkerized. Here are the pictures.






The spare bolt was polished and had a serial nuimber.

FWIW

[Vulch]

Thanks all. Much apreciated!

I just bought a complete Lyman 48 base with all the bits on it I needed for $49 off Gunbroker. That's fine with me!