Receiver manufactured in 1956, the second to last year of M1 rifle serial production at the U.S. Springfield Armory and subsequently selected and built up by the armory to 1953-1957 pattern "Type 1" National Match specifications. These rifles, unlike the standard production rifles used in match shooting prior, were specifically built by the armory for competitive use in the National Matches at Camp Perry from 1953 to 1957, using serviceable receivers the armory had in stock at the time and were later offered for sale to qualified members of the public through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM). While made to a more exacting standard than those used in earlier matches, the Type 1 National Match rifles built from 1953 to 1957 lacked many of the features found on the later 1959 Type 1 and 1960s Type 2 variants, with only a "NM" marked barrel, standard sights/small parts, and no bedding work to the stock. Reference pages 546-550 of Bruce Canfield's "The M1 Garand Rifle" for more details on the 1953 to 1957 Type 1 National Match M1 rifles. Features standard wing blade front and adjustable peep rear sights, unmarked wide-base gas cylinder, "6528287-SA/Y01" marked bolt, along with a "6535382 SA" operating rod. The "SA" barrel is marked "NM" on the left, dated "10 55", marked with "T" and "P" under the operating rod, and has a bright chamber. The trigger housing is marked "6528290-SA," with a "SA D5546008" hammer, "SA11" marked safety, and unmarked stamped trigger guard. Fitted with a smooth oiled walnut stock with "DoD eagle" cartouche on the left and circled serif "P" firing proof on the grip. Includes a brown leather and brass hooked M1907 pattern sporting sling.