Interesting new M1 (Pics)

[Onmilo]

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.

 

[mbs357]

Ditto. If it works it's fine enough for me. I've always had an attraction to vintage/classic firearms...but if I have to put in a few new parts it wont kill me. =)
Fine rifle. =D

 

[phillyd2]

Looks like fiberglass though out and can confirm for sure the Proof P & crossed cannon stamp that are both imbedded into the stock.

From what I know even early editions of the M14 were in fact issued with USGI Fiberglass stocks. The one on my M14 looks exactly like this one, minus the war paint, so I would guess earlier than 1974-75 issue dates. According to Bill Ricca's site "M1 Rifle Experimental Fiberglass Stock..were..Tested during the early 1960's" and according to Different's M14's information "Beginning in 1962, fiberglass stocks were installed on M14 rifles".

 

[Swampy]

According to Bill Ricca's site "M1 Rifle Experimental Fiberglass Stock..were..Tested during the early 1960's" and according to Different's M14's information "Beginning in 1962, fiberglass stocks were installed on M14 rifles".

This still makes the cross cannon stamp very suspect as to origin. Springfield Armory stopped using that particular stamp circa' 1952-1953 in liu of the DAS (Defense Acceptance Stamp), eagle & 3 stars in a box..

Just my thoughts,
Swampy

Garands forever

 

[phillyd2]

As a update, below is the reply from the Director/Curator of the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum.

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I went up to Boalsburg yesterday, site of the 28th Division
shrine and memorial park for the annual service. I talked to a number of
people who had at one been in the division headquarters color guard.
None of those guys ever saw anything like your rifle, all used
regular M1's. But that'snot to say that one of the regiments or
battalions had those. Any unit that had a color guard could have had
those made-up. Odd thing is that a color guard only used two rifles at a
time. Anyway - I will continue to ask around.

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