Receiver from the end of World War II era production, manufactured in June 1945, then subsequently built up and accurized by armorers of the U.S. Air Force Competitive Weapons Shop c. 1972 to match rifle specifications. Much like the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the Air Force had its own armorers assemble and fine tune M1 Garand rifles for their respective competitive shooting matches, with such rifles converted by the U.S.A.F. Competitive Weapons Shop at Lakeland Air Force Base in San, Antonio, Texas. Unlike the typical standard features that separate U.S. Springfield Armory built Type 1 and Type 2 National Match rifle variants, the U.S. Air Force 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 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. The barrel of these rifles are typically stamped with "AFPG" on the left side for "Air Force Premium Grade". Reference pages 562-563 of Bruce Canfield's "The M1 Garand Rifle" for more details on the U.S.A.F. "AFPG" converted M1 match rifles. This example features a "NM/062" marked winged blade front sight, "NM" marked T105 adjustable peep rear sight assembly with "520" hood, "NM" wide-base gas cylinder, 'high-hump' lock, "T/PAX" cross-slot screw, "D28287-1W.R.A." bolt with "7.62" electro-stenciled on top, "NM" marked "7790722-R A" operating rod, "12" follower slide, 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 "RIA" (U.S. Rock Island Arsenal) marked and "6. 69." dated barrel is marked with "NM" on the left, "PM" and "7.62 MM" under the operating rod, and features a polished underside and 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, stamped with a matching partial serial number "7314" on the upper right side of the forend, with a faint boxed "DoD eagle" acceptance stamp on the left of the wrist, circled serif "P" firing proof on the grip, and the ferrule secured with two screws. Includes a "MRT/MARCH 1984" marked M1907 pattern leather sling, a plastic muzzle cover, and a consignor supplied data sheet that confirms the rifle's configuration and noting some additional details including the presence of a drilled hole in the right side of the receiver under the windage knob with inserted spring and detent plunger (allowing for 1/2 MOA adjustments) and the aforementioned last four digits of the serial number stamped on the forend. Provenance: The Billy Pyle Collection

Very fine as built up by U.S.A.F. Competitive Weapons Shop armorers into "AFPG" match rifle configuration, retaining 95% parkerized and 80% blue finishes with some minor light wear, light cycling wear, some dried grease in protected areas, plum coloration on the bolt, 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 an attractive example of a U.S. Air Force "7.62 mm" chambered "Premium Grade" M1 Garand match rifle!