Other than its precision assembly and its shooting capability, the oldest production National Match rifle had few distinguishing features to set it apart from the standard M1 only because of its precision assembly and shooting capabilities.
Glass bedding was first used on M1 rifles made during 1959 for the 1960 National Matches, and it was also used on M14NMs. 30 M1 rifles for use in the National Matches. The Chief of Ordnance ordered Ordnance to purchase 800 US cal. It was determined in the spring of 1948 that accuracy in the M1 rifle would rise as an eventual replacement for the '03 Springfield in the National Matches. The left side of the stock is stamped with a standard DOD cartouche with a circled "P" proof in the grip area.The Springfield Armory M1A is a civilian version of the M14 rifle that was designed and manufactured by Springfield Armory, Inc. It is fitted with a standard (non-bedded) walnut stock and standard (non-unitized) front handguard. It is fitted with the standard unmarked front sight with the standard sight set with an "NM"/"595" marked non-hooded rear sight aperture. It has a standard wide base gas cylinder, a high hump gas cylinder lock and four slot gas plug. It is fitted with a late post production SA bolt marked "6528287-SA/Z-2", the trigger housing is marked 6528290-SA with a late SA production hammer, and a late production operating rod with drawing number, "65353821 SA". This example is fitted with an early LMR barrel that is marked "LMR D6535448 10 53 A22", that is also correctly marked "NM" on the left front exposed area of the barrel as it gauged to National Match specifications. These were all a late, last clean-up, effort to expunge Springfield Armory of all M1 rifles and components prior to beginning the M14 production. (Writer believes it to be a Type 1 National Match, but have no documentation). Many of these late "X" prefix serial numbered rifle were manufactured at the very end of production in 1955, with some being fitted with a "NM" marked barrel, as is the case with this rifle. This "X" prefix indicates that it has a duplicate serial number that was accidently applied by Springfield Armory. This is an excellent example of a very late production Springfield Armory M1 Garand that was manufactured as a standard service rifle circa 1956, with the scarce "X-"Prefix" serial number.
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