This is an exceptional example of an attractive M1 Garand Trophy rifle that was presented by Springfield Armory to John J. Walentine the top National Match high power shooter in 1957. Mr.Walentine received a score of 244-23X and at 600 yard 100-15 X. Pretty impressive even at today's standards. These rifles are super rare as they only presented these for a few years before the practice was stopped. Even suggesting that this practice was done for ten years, that would only mean '10' rifles total were give away as there was only 'ONE' National Match High Power shooter per year! This rifle is accompanied with an original certificate detailing his score and a Zodiac wrist watch with engraving on the back which states: 'J.J.WALENTINE/ARMY TIMES AWARD/NATIONAL MATCHES/1957/SCORE 243-23'. The rifle itself is a early type 1 National Match rifle that has been completely upgraded with a hand polished and all blued metal finish and fitted with a select walnut stock and select walnut hand guard set. All three pieces features some light figure through out with a little more on top of the front hand guard. The stock and hand guards have all been hand rubbed with linseed or Tung oil giving them a nice low luster finish but that's not too shiny, that was typical for this kind of rifle. A 3X2 inch silver plaque has been fitted to the right side of the butt stock that has been nicely stamped ' 1957/ NATIONAL MATCHES/ JOHN J. WALENTINE/ SCORE 244-23'. The rifle itself has the early type 1 National Match barrel, that is marked on the right side: 'SA F6535448 9 56 A228' and it has the correct small 'T', 'P' and DOD proofs with the left front exposed section of the barrel correctly marked with only the National Match markings. The remaining parts are made up of late WWII and post war parts, with the trigger housing being a is a mid-WWII production and the operating rod is a later H&R model that is marked '6535382 H.R.A.' on the beveled area. It is fitted with a set of standard rear sights with a National Match front sight. It comes with the original certificate presented to Mr. Walentine and the Zodiac wrist watch.

Excellent overall with 99% of the presentation grade high polish blued finish remaining overall. The stock and hand guards are all in excellent condition with no handling marks, or dings. It looks like when Mr. Walentine won the rifle he just took it home and properly stored in keeping it in pristine condition. A truly extraordinary Springfield Armory Presentation Trophy rifle.