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LOT 370
U.S. Springfield M14 Selective Fire Battle Rifle, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial no. 299370, 7.62 mm Nato cal., 22 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. 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 a 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, competition shooting, and other select purposes. 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. Fitted with a “NM 062” front sight on an “NM” and “SAK 8-65” marked barrel with drawing number “7791362”, “520” eye cup mounted on an “NM” rear sight staff, “NM/2A” sight wings, “NM” windage and “WC-E” elevation drums. The bolt is marked “JJ”, with a “SA” hammer and trigger housing. Fitted with an unmarked pistol grip stock. Some extra components (bolt, rear sight assembly,
trigger housing and transfer bar) are included.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus armory applied parkerization, showing mild handling marks overall and minor thinning on the gas cylinder. The stock is also excellent, with some minor
scratches. Mechanically excellent. 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 479.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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