Springfield 1922 M11 Questions

[Cass]

I’ve been offered a Springfield that appears to be a Model 1922 M1 modified with the added “1” and a “B” added to the serial number. It has been in a collection for years. No price has been set, so we’re just in the early stages of discussion. I did take a few quick pictures while he had it out to show me.







A few things I failed to capture in the pictures: the butt plate is the checkered “issue’ type, the magazine is marked M2, and the etched bolt serial number does not match the receiver. The floor plate and band have thin finish.

I’m interested in any comments and observations. A few specific questions are:

1. Is there record of this rifle in the SRS files?

2. The other questions are regarding the stock. It appears to have been sanded and has a grip cap. I wish I had taken a better picture of the cap. There wasn't any model with a grip cap was there?

What else should I check?

Thanks,
Cass

[RCK]

The stock appears to be a Model MI issue type but it never had a grip cap in its original version. Also verify if the bolt is etched with the rifle serial number on the underside. The magazine should have a small M2 stamped at he top left side .

[Herschel]

The rifle would have been made in 1927 according to production figures in Brophy. That means the 1930 dated barrel is a replacement. The bolt would be numbered to the receiver if the replacement was done by a govt armory or arsenal.

[Cass]

Thanks, RCK and Herschel.

Herschel, thanks for the dates. So the receiver was modified to M11 with the 1 and B added, correct? Is there any way to tell if the barrel was replaced at that time with the 8-30 barrel?

The bolt is etched with a 4 digit number in the proper location, but it is a different number, so must have been swapped out at some point later.

RCK, the magazine is marked with a small M2 on the top left. It looks correct compared to the pictures of originals I have found.

Thanks,
Cass

[Cass]

Here is a closer shot of the receiver markings. It shows the "rough workmanship" on the added markings that Brophy mentions.

Cass

[Herschel]

Cass, I neglected to answer your question about SRS info on the rifle. That serial number is not listed in the SRS information that I have. The B marking after the serial number appears in the photo to have been engraved. That is unusual as all I have seen were obviously stamped. There is no way to tell when the '30 dated barrel was installed. The bolt with the headspace adjustment came into use in about 1935. That bolt would obviously have been put in the rifle after that date. For whatever reason, about half the Springfield .22's I see have mismatched bolts. There were four M2 Rifles in the college rotc arms room when I was on the rifle team in 1955. We sometimes swapped bolts in hopes of getting one with a better trigger. I don't recall even knowing the bolts had serial numbers on them. Our team coach was sharp and surely knew the bolts were supposed to be numbered to the rifle but I don't recall any discussion about it. The rifle might be a good shooter. Mismatched bolt would be no problem for the gun as a shooter if the headspace was OK. The shiny finish on the wood and pistol grip cap are unfortunate but, considering the replacement parts and alterations. the gun is just a shooter.

[Cass]

Herschel:

Thank you for all the information and for checking SRS. I'm sure the bolt was swapped out in some situation very similar to your ROTC experience. This was bought many years ago in a small shop in rural Texas, so who knows where it originally left the system.

If I can get it for a reasonable enough price I will probably strip the shiny finish on the wood and see if I can remove the grip cap (as I recall it had a single screw in the center), then use it for a shooter as they were originally intended.

Thanks,
Cass

[Kragrifle]

Just an added note. There were multiple styles for the B markings (and more uncommon A's) as well as the added I's. I have several rifles stamped M2 rather than the simple I. I do not recall seeing this style etched B. I suspect these markings could have been added anywhere along the line.

[Cass]

The only consolation is that it is unlikely that the "B" was a faked addition, unless someone wanted to fake a less valuable rifle from a more valuable receiver, ha!

Cass

[bug]

What would/should a rifle like that sell for??

Bob D

[Herschel]

Considering the modified, refinished stock and mismatched bolt, I would suggest a value of $800.00 to $900.00. Check on the big internet gun auction's completed auctions to see what similar guns have sold for or what was bid on them. The misdescribed Springfield .22's on the auctions that have "pie in the sky" minimum bids never get a bid. Sellers don't get the message and repeatedly lists them at auction without ever learning what is wrong with the rifle.