Swampy I just worked on the rifles.
I never could grow an obsession with learning exactly who made what and even to this day when I repair a shootable M1 I have no issue with using the most modern, up to date parts for repair.
Getting an M1 "all correct" just never did anything for me.
I am going to venture a guess that the company that made fibreglass stocks for M14 rifles was the same firm that made fibreglass stocks for M1 and I would also guess that the early 60s is way too early.
I would guess that fibreglass stocks didn't become common issue for replacement of wooden stocks until sometime around 1974.
I had buddies in the Army who were Viet Nam veterans and they couldn't ever recall seeing any M14 rifles with fibreglass stocks in Viet Nam so I am think 1974-75 would be about the time the stocks began showing up for general issue.
I have heard that some M14 rifles were actually built and issued with fibreglass stocks but I have never seen one new in the military contractor issue packaging.
I still feel fibreglass stocks were for rebuild purposes only and they were never put on a brand new rifle at the manufacturer site.
I agree with the assessment of the crossed cannon mark.
I have handled quite a few military rifles with fibreglass stocks and I can't recall seeing a mark of any kind on the stocks.
No circle P, nothing.
The crossed cannon mark may have been put there when the Unit markings were placed.
Remember VFW and AFL halls used to be full of old fogie hard core world war vets who remembered marks like those on their issue weapons.
I never could grow an obsession with learning exactly who made what and even to this day when I repair a shootable M1 I have no issue with using the most modern, up to date parts for repair.
Getting an M1 "all correct" just never did anything for me.
I am going to venture a guess that the company that made fibreglass stocks for M14 rifles was the same firm that made fibreglass stocks for M1 and I would also guess that the early 60s is way too early.
I would guess that fibreglass stocks didn't become common issue for replacement of wooden stocks until sometime around 1974.
I had buddies in the Army who were Viet Nam veterans and they couldn't ever recall seeing any M14 rifles with fibreglass stocks in Viet Nam so I am think 1974-75 would be about the time the stocks began showing up for general issue.
I have heard that some M14 rifles were actually built and issued with fibreglass stocks but I have never seen one new in the military contractor issue packaging.
I still feel fibreglass stocks were for rebuild purposes only and they were never put on a brand new rifle at the manufacturer site.
I agree with the assessment of the crossed cannon mark.
I have handled quite a few military rifles with fibreglass stocks and I can't recall seeing a mark of any kind on the stocks.
No circle P, nothing.
The crossed cannon mark may have been put there when the Unit markings were placed.
Remember VFW and AFL halls used to be full of old fogie hard core world war vets who remembered marks like those on their issue weapons.