Receiver manufactured in 1952, subsequently built up and accurized by armorers of the U.S. Navy c. 1960s-1970s to match rifle specifications. Much like the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps, the Navy had its own armorers assemble and fine tune M1 Garand rifles for their respective competitive shooting matches. Unlike the typical standard features that separate U.S. Springfield Armory built Type 1 and Type 2 National Match rifle variants, the U.S.N. built M1 match rifles display a wider range of feature disparity with varying levels of modifications performed based off of the individual procedures from one armorer to the next. Some of these disparities include the use of "NM" marked .30-06 Sprg.. chambered barrels or non "NM" and "7.62 MM" marked 7.62x51 mm NATO chambered barrels, a mixed use of "NM" sight sets, and polishing work performed to the bottom of the barrel in the area where the operating rod rubs against it. Reference pages 562-563 of Bruce Canfield's "The M1 Garand Rifle" for more details on the U.S.N. converted M1 match rifles. This example features a "NM/062" marked winged blade front sight, "NM" marked T105 adjustable peep rear sight assembly with "595" hood and "NM/2A" marked base, "NM" wide-base gas cylinder, chamfered lock, single slot screw, "6528287-SA/Y02" bolt, "NM" marked "7790722-R A" operating rod, "11" follower slide, "BR" marked 7.62x51 mm limiting block installed in the magazine assembly, and "D28290-7-SA" trigger housing with a "C46008-3 SA" hammer, "SA" safety, and unmarked stamped trigger guard. The receiver bears a "TE/9-65" rebuild on the right lug under the woodline. The "SA" marked and "9 65" dated barrel is marked with "PM" and "7.62 MM" under the operating rod, and features a bright chamber ring. Fitted with a walnut front handguard fastened to the lower band with two screws, a walnut rear handguard, and a walnut stock, glass bedded to the receiver and trigger guard, with a circled serif "P" firing proof on the grip and the ferrule secured with two screws. A white range card (with elevation and windage click graduations for 100, 200, 300, 600, and 1,000 yards noted in pen) is attached to the left side of the forend. Includes a M1 nylon pattern web sling and a consignor supplied data sheet that confirms the rifle's configuration and notes some additional details including "MATCH CONDITIONED by KEN HULL, USN (RET)" at the bottom. Provenance: The Billy Pyle Collection

Exceptionally fine as built up by U.S. Navy armorers into "7.62 MM" match rifle configuration, retaining 97% plus parkerized finish with some minor edge wear, light cycling wear, some dried grease in protected areas, some dried varnished on the upper and lower bands, and some minor handling marks. The stock is very fine as sanded, varnished, and glass bedded, with some minor handling marks and attractive grain. Mechanically excellent. Overall a very attractive example of a U.S. Navy "7.62 mm" chambered M1 Garand match rifle!