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LOT 1636
Documented Prototype Serial Number
X001 Springfield Armory/Valley Ordnance M1A Semi-Automatic
Rifle - Serial no. X001, 7.62 mm Nato (308) cal., 22 inch round bbl., parkerized finish,
walnut stock. This is believed to be the first prototype Springfield Armory M1A semi-automatic rifle
manufactured by Mel Smith of Valley Ordnance, Inc. of Pennsylvania. The included letter from the M14 Research
Service, dated June 10th, 1991, states, “In reference to your early experimental Springfield Armory M1A. This rifle, X001
was made without the (T) Trade Mark before BATF approval. Reportedly made in the early 1970’s. All other subsequent
rifles have the (T) on their receivers... The manufacturer is Mel Smith of Valley Ordnance, Inc, Pa. The early M1A Rifles were
assembled & marketed by Elmer Ballance of L.H. Gun Company, San Antonio, Tx.” Another included letter from a previous owner indicates that the individual they purchased this rifle from in the 1980s was originally involved in the heat treating of these rifles and stated, “X001 was the piece submitted to the Patent Office for approval and this being the case would be the original Texas
gun.” This rifle is marked “U.S. RIFLE/7.62-mm M1A/Springfield/Armory/X001” in five lines on the receiver heel. Fitted with a flash hider, “NM 062” front sight, adjustable rear aperture sight, and smooth pistol grip stock with a ribbed synthetic upper handguard. Includes green canvas sling, plastic muzzle cap and plastic rear sight cap. This rifle was previously on display at the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum between 2013-2022. Featured on “Serial Number One Guns” episode of Outdoor Channel’s “Gun Stories,” season 4 episode 16.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% original parkerized finish with some light handling marks, and a few light scratches visible on the barrel. Stock is also excellent with some light handling marks, one small crack in the rear of the forearm, and distinct edges overall. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
Serial Number 1 Firearms from the Jim Supica Collection
LOT 1637
Documented
“First In” IMI/ Action Arms
UZI Model A Semi-
Automatic Carbine,
Serial Number
SA01001, with Box
and Correspondence
- Serial no. SA01001, 9 mm cal., 16 inch round bbl., matte black finish, metal stock. Developed with direct input from Uziel Gal, original designer for the UZI submachine gun, the Model A
carbine is a semi-automatic, closed bolt weapon made to comply with the U.S. National Firearms Act; it is as close as you can get to the original UZI without holding a tax stamp. Included
with this carbine is correspondence involving Jim Supica (noted firearms author), Action Arms Incorporated (the original importer of the Model A) and Allen Bernkrant of Southern Gun and
Tackle Distributors of Opa-Locka, Florida. A copy of a January 1991 letter from Bernkrant to “whom it may concern” identifies this Model A by serial number as one of a group of “serial #1’s” from his private collection sold to a previous owner and Action Arms Incorporated in 1991. A letter from AA to Supica identifies this carbine by S/N as “among the first shipment of that model imported into the United States”, sold to “Southern Gun Distributors” of Opa-Locka, Florida. Finally, a 1991 letter from Supica to AA asks 3 questions, which now have hand-written responses indicating 1) this was the first commercially available standard Model A, 2) lower numbers exist but were used for a special run of satin nickel Model As which physically arrived in the U.S. later, and 3) it was made c.1979-1980 and sold to “Southern Gun & Tackle”. Also included is the face of the envelope AA used to send correspondence to Supica, clippings from the Blue Book of Gun Values which identify “SA01001” as the start of the Model A serial range, and a vintage AA decal in a “Gift for You” AA envelope. Post front and two-leaf peep rear sights, with the proper elongated barrel and internal modifications, non-ratcheting top cover with warning against modifications, two-position selector switch, ribbed forearm and grip panels, and folding buttstock. With a matching numbered original gold-on-blue UZI box, matching numbered inner carton and manual, tan canvas sling, and inert short dummy barrel.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% of the original matte black finish, showing mild scuffing on the barrel, forearm and grip panels, some edge flaking, and mild handling marks overall. The box shows wear and tear appropriate to age
and travel, with the carry handle absent. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Supica Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750 417