Manufactured by Harrington & Richardson for the U.S. government, this is a factory original M14 battle rifle; not a reweld, not a converted M1, not a commercial "M1A" with machine gun parts, but the real deal. Developed as the follow-up to the famous M1 Rifle, the M14 was conceived as a multi-role universal weapon in the same vein as the German FG-42, accurate and powerful enough to serve as a main infantry combat rifle, maneuverable enough to replace the sub-machine gun, and capable of acting as a squad automatic weapon as well. This "everything to everyone" approach hamstrung what was otherwise a perfectly suitable combat rifle, leading to a relatively early retirement of the weapon. No longer burdened with trying to be all things to all people, the M14 found new life as a specialist weapon, finding an audience with special forces units and snipers, as well as undergoing a renaissance in recent years with the emergence of the "designated marksman" concept. The M14 also found users abroad and on the home front, being adopted by the Border Patrol and National Park Service; this particular M14 is attributed by the consignor as having formerly been in the inventory of the Department of Energy, most likely for use in the DoE's role as the first line of defense for America's nuclear resources. Post front and adjustable peep rear sights, with "HRA-W" windage and "WC-E" elevation drums, "H-R 7790190 2 62-Y" barrel, "7790186/HRT A12/AGB" bolt, "7267030-HR-N" trigger housing, "H&R" safety, "5546008-HR-N" hammer, "7267064 HRA" operating rod and a "HR-R" marked magazine. The fire control components are all present and accounted for, and the hardwood stock is marked with the Department of Defense cartouche on the left side and a circled unserifed "P" on the wrist, with a green canvas sling and a folding shoulder rest covering the buttplate. Included with the rifle is a 1960s vintage operation manual and a "GERMANY" marked M6 bayonet (11 1/4" OAL, 6 5/8" blade, black plastic grip, green plastic sheath).

Excellent, with 95% plus original parkerized finish, showing a small amount of handling marks overall, light rubbing on the operating rod from contact with the fire control assembly, and minimal handling marks overall. The stock is in equally fine condition, with some light dings. Mechanically excellent. A scarcity in the field of American firepower in a condition that's virtually impossible to improve upon. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.