To restore or not?

[CodyT]

I just received a very nice 5.8 mill SA from the CMP this week and after disassembly I found that two parts are not correct for the rifle. The bolt is a 19SA and the op rod is a post war rebuild. All internals, barrel, stock, sights etc. are in excellent shape and are correct for the time period. Should I get a correct bolt and op rod an have an all correct post war SA for my collection? Or do I leave it as is since changing out parts will alter any historical significance it may have? I have restored M1s in the past with some only being a receiver to build upon, however the search got tiring. Curious to what peoples thoughts are on the subject.

[Bill E]

The bolt and op rod you need are not too difficult to find and if they are the only parts that do not fit the time period, I would change them. The parts in the rifle now could have been substituted during a group cleaning session.

[robh5]

Did you receive a field or service grade rifle?

[bd1]

@Cody - Have you checked the receiver and stock for rebuild markings?

[2111]

Can you post a photo of the barrel markings in the area behind op-rod or if not, post all the numbers, letters and other marks you see. You may be able to tell if the barrel was originally a NM barrel or not.

[UUURah]

If you had just changed out those couple parts, not said anything to anyone, WHO would have known the difference?

Change them out ............ don't look back. We won't tell anyone.

[CodyT]

I'm trying to upload pictures but so far it is not working. The numbers on the barrel are SA F6535446 2 55 A218B Original barrel to the receiver I would say. Of course there are random markings such as "T" "U" two proof "P"s and two punch marks. No other marks are visible.

[CodyT]

DSCN1733.jpg

[CodyT]

DSCN1740.jpg

[CodyT]

Ok I figured the pictures out. I know I could just swap the parts out and your are correct no one would ever know. I'm just curious what everyone's thoughts are on restoring guns and altering them from how they are received from the CMP.

[DRAGONFLYDF]

Originality wins out over CMP,

[Dean-DGR]

The question is...what makes you happy. If value is an issue, your CMP certificate list it's grade, so changes would not get past an educated collector. If you change the bolt, make sure it still has good headspacing.

Dean-DGR

[CodyT]

Well the reason I posted this thread to begin with is the odd items I have found with this rifle. One being the grind mark on the barrel with what looks like a "N" still being slightly present. Also, the stock ferrule has been polished on the inside so it doesn't rub the op rod? What I was wandering was is it possible this gun was being considered for a NM gun then the idea was shelved? There are no rebuild markings anywhere on the gun. I would like to make it correct but I just don't want to mess with it if I shouldn't.

[2111]

Had you not gotten the rifle from CMP I would have made a guess as to the "grind mark" on the barrel over what appears to be a N. First, I would think import mark that someone tried to remove. Be sure you hold on to the CMP certificate or it would be hard to sell in the future. Most will think IMPORT. Really, if it were me, I would most likely call CMP and see about having them replace the rifle. It seems like when something is returned for a good reason they usually replace it with something better.
There is only one other possible reason for the grind mark that I can think of. Maybe it was destined to be a NM rifle. Many Type 1 NM rifles (over 3000) were downgraded to issue/service grade but, to my understanding, this was prior to the NM stamp being applied to the barrel. Maybe some were downgraded AFTER the "NM" inscription being applied and the "NM" inscription just ground off. This is something I am not sure about. You could go on the CMP forum and send a PM to RollingThunder and he would be able to tell you. Or go on the MilSurps forum and ask the question. Bob Seijas usually will answer any NM related question on that forum.

[bd1]

FWIW, CMP also has answered questions from people with what appear to be official certs of authenticity as to whether the cert and/or SN shown is accurate.

If you can send up any more pics of that ground-off area on the barrel some us are familiar with which abbreviations and lettering were used by which importers of the 80's-90's.