Originally manufactured as a select fire battle rifle, this specific Springfield M14 rifle has been specially selected for semi-automatic fire and upgraded for National Match competitive shooting. One of the signature weapons of the Korean War and early Vietnam War, the M14 was an attempt by the Army to make an infantry weapon that could replace the M1 Garand, Springfield 1903, and Enfield 1917 rifles for general issue, the Browning Automatic Rifle for support fire, and the M1 carbine, M1 SMG and M3 SMG for close quarters brawling. While a fine rifle, it was pulled in too many directions at once, being too bulky to act in lieu of an SMG or carbine in tight areas, but too light to serve as a proper squad automatic weapon. While production wound to a halt in the 1960s, the M14 has had a noteworthy "afterlife", and is still in service with the U.S. and abroad in specialist roles, including combat sniper/designated marksman roles and competition shooting. As a result, the M14 is in the odd situation of being both the longest serving rifle in American inventory (beating out the Springfield 1903) and having the second shortest service life as a primary infantry rifle (coming in second to the Krag rifle). Compared to the M1 Garand, M14s on the civilian market are vanishingly rare; most M14s ended their U.S. service life by being gifted to a friendly nation, seconded to law enforcement or similar agencies, or being destroyed, and very few were registered in accordance with the NFA. This example is fitted with a "NM 062" front sight on an "NM" barrel with drawing number "7791362" and date "3/62", with a "595" eye cup mounted on an "NM" rear sight staff, "NM/2" sight wings, "NM BME" windage and "WC-E" elevation drums, and "NM" engraved into the receiver next to the standard heel markings. Some components have been removed to render the rifle semi-auto only, but the distinctive lug on the underside of the receiver is present. The bolt, trigger housing, hammer, safety, and operating rod are "SA" marked, and the "DoD Eagle" marked stock has received a military-quality glass bedding job; both the housing and the stock channel are hand numbered in wax pencil to match the receiver. Includes a green canvas sling. Magazine absent.

Excellent, with 98% of the original parkerized finish, showing some cycling wear and handling marks overall. The excellent stock shows a few minor scuffs on the handguard and mild dings and scratches on the wood. Consignor reports that it is quite possibly the only registered Springfield Armory M14 National Match in private hands; certainly the only one we have had at auction! NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. Although currently configured for semi-automatic fire, the item is still a "machine gun" in the eyes of the law, and can not be handled or transferred as a normal rifle.