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Title:RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1922M1 .22 SN# 1
Maker/Manufacturer:SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Date of Manufacture:1925
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:SPAR 3180
Measurements:OL:113CM 44 1/2" BL: 61.5CM 24 1/4" 9 lbs.

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE MODEL 1922M1 .22 SN# 1
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - First production model of the Model 1922M1 .22 caliber rifle. 5-shot detachable box magazine. Blued finish with half-length pistol grip stock with finger grooves. Lyman No. 48C receiver sight, blade front sight. Weapon weighs approximately 9 lbs. No magazine otherwise complete and in good condition. This is the civilian model designed for DCM sales. Manufactured from 1927 to 1933 with a serial number range 1-21000.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY MODEL OF 1922/MI. CAL. .22/1.
Barrel: SA/Ordnance bomb.
Band: U.
Stock: B.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 12 November 1931. At that time weapon was appraised at $46.00. Weapon listed as being here in special inventory of March 23, 1933.

"Rifle taken from J.O. 1554-18. Rifle to be labeled as being historically correct as of the date of original manufacture as possible." - Shipping ticket.

Notes: "The Army conducted extensive testing of the M1922 gallery rifle before a decision was reached in May to adopt the .22 caliber gallery rifle in place of the Hoffer-Thompson system. Due to shortcomings in the M1922, developmental work continued on the gallery rifle concept. A new rifle, designated the Rifle, Caliber .22, M1922M1, was adopted in 1925. In 1936, the designation was changed to 'M1.'
A new bolt retained the separate bolt head but used the single-point striker (as developed for the M1924 International .22 Rifle) attached to the firing pin rod. The bolt throw again simulated that of the M1903 .30 caliber rifle. The chamber was reduced in both diameter and length and the rifling diameter was slightly enlarged by 0.0005 inch. Minimum and maximum land and groove height and depth was specified as 0.2180 - 0.2185 and 0.2230-0.2235 inch, respectively. The new gallery rifle also received a slightly altered stock. The Lyman 48C rear sight replaced the Lyman 48B. The chamber, lock time and rifling changes provided exceptional accuracy. Specifications called for group sizes of one inch at 50 yards.
A new stock - 'Stock, M1922M1, Caliber .22,' also known as the 'B stock,' replaced the earlier M1922 stock. It was basically the service rifle 'S' stock with the short forend and without the handguard. The pull was 0.375 inch longer, had slightly less drop at the comb, finger grooves and a squared off or abbreviated, flat-bottomed pistol grip.
The 'Stock, M1922 M1, Caliber .22' was used for military gallery rifles and had the standard service rifle butt plate. The DCM-NRA sales rifles used the M1922 stock without finger groove, although the military style finger groove stock could be ordered instead. DCM-NRA sales rifles in the M1922 stock were equipped with the National Match butt plate.
The bolt was polished bright and serial numbered to the receiver with an electric pin. The rest of the metal was Parkerized until 1926 when the receiver finish was changed to carbonia blackening. A new five-shot magazine that fit almost flush with the bottom of the receiver was used.
Model 1922 rifles returned for repairs or refurbishment received the upgraded bolt and firing pin/striker assembly, new magazine and Lyman 48C rear sight. The receiver was then stamped 'MI' after the 'M1922' and an 'A' was added to the serial number to prevent duplication.
After receiver number 17,267, the receiver and bolt steel were changed to nickel steel. The bolt root was stamped 'N.S.'. A total of 114 DCM NRA M1922M1 rifles were later rebuilt as M1922MII rifles. A 'B' was added to their serial numbers. Production of the M1922 MI ended in 1934 but DCM-NRA sales continued through 1937. A total of 20,020 M1922 M1 rifles were built, 14,680 for military use and 5,330 for sales through the DCM-NRA." - Poyer

"Made for civilian use, this was little more than the improved 'M1' action in the original M1922-type half-stock. About 20,000 standard and NRA-pattern M1922M1 guns were made." - Walter

See, Brophy pg. 281.

References:
American Rifleman Reprint. MODEL 1903 RIFLES. American Rifleman. Flayderman, Norm. FLAYDEMAN'S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AMERICAN FIREARMS...AND THEIR VALUES. 8th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 2001.
Harrison, Jesse C. COLLECTING THE '03 SPRINGFIELD. The Arms Chest. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 1993.
Poyer, Joe. THE M1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE AND ITS VARIATIONS. North Cape Publications, Inc. Tustin, Ca. 2001.
Walter, John. RIFLES OF THE WORLD. 2nd Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 1998.

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