M14 Springfield Question ?

Brocolt

Brocolt

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My buddy is thinking about selling his Springfield M14 or M1A, I was looking at it tonight and I don't see any markings on it that tell me what it is other then a 4 digit serial number.
The metal finish is a battle grey. can't find any other markings. could this be a USGI model?
 
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Brocolt said:
My buddy is thinking about selling his Springfield M14 or M1A, I was looking at it tonight and I don't see any markings on it that tell me what it is other then a 4 digit serial number.
The metal finish is a battle grey. can't find any other markings. could this be a USGI model?
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All commercial S/A rifles have a 6 digit serial number.
If it is what you call a 4 digit number it should read 00###x.
If it is a commercial Springfield Armory the headstamp should read:

US Rifle
7.62mm M1A
Springfield
Armory
######

With the serial number you can call Springfield Armory and they will tell you how the rifle left the factory.
It can be a standard, loaded, National Match, Super Match etc.

If it says M14 it is a Prohib.
 
footnote: the early norcs had various finishes on them , including parked ( grey) or deep blue and had no markings other than a serial number- it could also be an "assembled" rifle-you can buy receivers separately- and the manufacturer 's marks have been known to hide in various places- real springys have it typically on the heel of the receiver; norcs/ polys can have it almost anywhere- personally unless it says springfield m1a , I wouldn't touch it unless you can verify it's pedigree
 
t-star said:
footnote: the early norcs had various finishes on them , including parked ( grey) or deep blue and had no markings other than a serial number- it could also be an "assembled" rifle-you can buy receivers separately- and the manufacturer 's marks have been known to hide in various places- real springys have it typically on the heel of the receiver; norcs/ polys can have it almost anywhere- personally unless it says springfield m1a , I wouldn't touch it unless you can verify it's pedigree
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I wouldn't turn down an SEI, LRB, or a JRA Rockola even if I do love my Springfield Armory.
 
hence my point of verifying it's pedigree- I know there are other manufacturers out there, but what's the chances of it being an lrb ,sei, or jra rockola?- slim to none- on the other end of the stick, you have frankford arsenal or some such thing which are only good as WALLHANGERS
 
t-star said:
hence my point of verifying it's pedigree- I know there are other manufacturers out there, but what's the chances of it being an lrb ,sei, or jra rockola?- slim to none- on the other end of the stick, you have frankford arsenal or some such thing which are only good as WALLHANGERS
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The thing that throws everything off is the mention of a 4 digit serial number.

A few things that we must remember.
Springfield Armory rifles marked M14 are Prohibited in Canada thus worthless to everyone except a select few with the proper 12.x license.
Springfield Armory Commercial rifles are marked M1A which is also a trademark so nobody else can use the M1A moniker.

An SEI will be marked Smith Ent.
Early Poly Tech heel stamped receivers will be marked as such with M14/S.

Only non heel stamped receivers which are most likely Polytech/Norinco should be a little tricky to identify.
 
As mentioned, if it doesn't have Springfield Armory stamped on the receiver, it's not an M1A. An M1A wouldn't ever be Parkerized(grey finish). Isn't an M-14 either.
Real M-14's weren't zinc Parkerized either. The zinc gives the grey colour. Manganese gives black. Not that it makes much difference.
A real semi'd M-14 is a 12(3) prohibited firearm.
Look at the barrel for more stamps.
 
If it just has the four serial numbers on the heel stamp it could be a Caspain Arms receiver, if you get a chance to take a closer look, take off the stock and look at the side of the receiver it might says caspian arms on it, if it does it is a rare one, apparently and according to some info off m14forum.com they only made 7.
 
serial number is on the left side of the frame below the sights. it's only 4 digits with no 00's in front. when I looked at it last night I couldn't find any markings on it at all. The person that sold it to my friend a years ago said it was a Springfield firearm. considering who sold it to him it would hurt the sellers rep big time if it turned out to be a lie.

also I took a few pictures and just noticed it did have some black finish on it just not sure if it's pre or post paint.
 
Springfield_1a.jpg
Springfield_4a.jpg


Springfield_3a.jpg
Springfield_2a.jpg
 
Brocolt said:
better pics of what area
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Pop the receiver out of the stock and look at the sides, any numbers? Take a pic of both sides of the receiver below the stock line, also a close up on the op rod, and a shot of the writing on the barrel.
 
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if u look real tight on the heel of the receiver, you can just about make out a triangle or a bell- and bits of a serial number below that- triangle would be trw, and it looks like someone took a file or dremel to the heel- in other words it's a prohib that's been stamped to look like the "legit " thing- it's against the law to deface a firearm in that manner, so i'd move on and QUICKLY- being stamped on the side shouts RINCO as well
the bell would be bell distributors who distributed norcs/polys a few years back- it also looks like if it wasn't filed, perhaps it was painted /varnished over to obscure the serial number
 
lol, its definitely not a TRW... If it was it wouldn't have the rear takedown notch. Also, DEFINITELY NOT a Springfield M1A.

Its a old Norinco. Take the stock off and look on the left side just below the stock line, there should be some stamped numbers.

You can see the faint serial number on the left side of the heel meaning its an early Century Arms Import. Also looks like it was painted black at some point.

Not worth more than $400 in my opinion.
 
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now we're beginning to argue semantics- regardless of whom you believe, you have your answer- I only looked at the pic of the heel-I have one of the really old norcs- and you can't go by serial numbers- mine has the rinco star left side, and made in proc stamped on it- and serial 295 - it also has the mid rail takedown notch and you can see where the connector and bayonet lugs were taken off with a grinder- and then someone put a 30 degree angle on the hole for the scope mount- IDIOTS- and it's finished in a DEEP BLUE.
 
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