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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE M14 7.62MM SN# 1599151
Maker/Manufacturer:	SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Date of Manufacture:	1962
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3323
Measurements:	OL:112.3CM 44 1/4" BL: 55.8CM 22" 8.3 lbs.

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE M14 7.62MM SN# 1599151
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - Standard air-cooled, gas-operated, select-fire, shoulder weapon. No select switch. Hinged buttplate. Synthetic stock. Non-ventilated plastic handguard. 4-groove rifling, right hand twist. Muzzle velocity 2800 fps. Weapon weighs approximately 8.3 lbs. empty. Complete with 20-round detachable box magazine and plastic muzzle cover. Muzzle cover has been removed.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/7.62-MM M14/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/1599151.
Bolt: 7790186/SA CC1.
Barrel: T upside down.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 27 May 1965.

Notes: "Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1957 and first produced by the U.S. Springfield Armory in 1958, the U.S. Rifle 7.62mm, M14 is capable of selective-fire, but was and is not generally issued that way. Its basic gas operation and rotating bolt mechanism are based on the .30-06 U.S. M1 Garand rifle, but the M14 has a 'roller' for its bolt and an improved gas systems. The M14 is fed from either a detachable 20-round box magazine or via 5-round stripper clips. It served as the platform for the Army's M21 Sniping System when fitted with a Leatherwood Adjustable Ranging Telescope.
Although relegated to a secondary role years ago by the Army (the Navy and Marines retained quantities in inventory), the U.S. Rifle, 7.62mm, M14 has made a comeback of sorts. The fighting in Afghanistan demonstrated the need for longer-range arms than the 5.56x45mm NATO M16A2 and M4 - longer range the 7.62x51mm NATO M14 certainly has. In recent years, the Marines have issued semi-automatic-only versions of the M14 in a Mcmillan M2A stock and with a Leupold Mark 4 M3 10x scope as its 'Designated Marksmen Rifle.' Counter-terrorism forces, according to two sources, may use variable power Leupolds. These rifles are accurized by Marine armorers and allow for the mounting of a sound suppressor, thus explaining its unusual barrel contour. Although the number issued and on the ground in Iraq is unknown, photographic evidence confirms that they are indeed in limited use by ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The M14's continued service in time of war is yet another tribute to the lasting designs of John C. Garand." - Mark Keefe, American Rifleman, June, 2003.