Receiver manufactured circa 1973 to 1974, prior to Springfield Armory Inc. being purchased by Dennis Reese from Elmer C. Balance and production moved from Devine, Texas, to Geneseo, Illinois. Initially starting production using the "Springfield Armory" name for his company (LH Manufacturing) in 1971, based out of San Antonio, Texas, at the time, Balance was the first to produce a commercial semi-automatic version of the U.S. M14 select-fire service rifle, naming it the M1A. These early production M1A rifles were largely built from surplus USGI components, as is the case with this example. Features a winged blade front sight, type 2 lock-bar adjustable peep rear sight assembly, flash hider with bayonet lug, "HR-N" marked trigger housing with "-5 SA" hammer and "HRA" safety, "TRW ZC" marked bolt, "TRW" marked operating rod, and "SAK" marked and "8 69" dated barrel that is also marked with "NM" on top and a Devine, Texas, box address on the bottom. Fitted with a ventilated fiberglass handguard along with a USGI walnut stock with "DoD eagle" cartouche on the left, "circle P" firing proof on the pistol grip, and steel buttplate with hinged shoulder support plate. Includes a green nylon sling.

Exceptionally fine as built by Elmer C. Balance's "Springfield Armory" of Devine, Texas, with a new receiver and surplus parts, retaining 90% of original parkerized finish with minor edge wear, scattered minor scrapes and dings, dried grease or varnish, faint spotting, and minor discoloration. The stock is very fine as re-oiled. Mechanically excellent.