This is a very early commercial M1A semi-automatic rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory out of Devine, Texas, during the Vietnam War era for commercial target shooting using surplus G.I. parts under the ownership of Elmer Ballance prior to the company name being sold to Bob Reese in 1974 and moved to Geneseo, Illinois. The heel of the receiver is marked "U.S. RIFLE/7.62-mm M1A/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY(T)/000650" in five lines. "DEVINE TEX" marked underneath the front end of the barrel. It is equipped with an original Vietnam issue ART I sniper scope, mount and an original alloy scope can. These ART scopes were originally issued on M21 sniper rifles, which are accurized M14 NM rifles. They have an auto ranging mount and scope reticle that was calibrated for 100-1000 meters. "NM 062" marked front sight, "NM" rear sight with "595" peep, Saco-Lowell "SKA" marked "8-65" dated standard weight chrome lined M14 barrel, "SA" M14 bolt assembly, "HR" M14 trigger housing, "OM" M14 hammer, "H&R" M14 safety, and "SAK" operating rod. It has a standard front and rear sight set. It is currently fitted in an M14E2 type hardwood stock with a perforated brown plastic handguard. A boxed D.O.D. eagle acceptance cartouche is marked on the left wrist of the stock featuring a front folding foregrip and hinged buttplate with the heavy buttpad. The included Redfield/AR TEL 3-9X scope is marked with the "7.62 MM/M-118NM" nomenclature on the adjustment ring, "SER NO 1562" on the left of the adjustment knob base, and "5496" on the single-thumbscrew mounting bracket. Also includes a green painted G.I. alloy ART scope case hand numbered to the scope and rifle, M2 folding bipod, and olive drab green canvas sling. Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection

Excellent, retains 97% original parkerized finish with very light cycling wear. Stock is also excellent with defined edges, some light handling marks, moderate gouges on either side of the forend from the bipod legs rubbing, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Scope is very fine with some light scratches and handling marks on the tube, the auto-ranging mechanism functions excellent, and the optics are clear. Included scope case is very good with some light wear.