M14 Forum

M1Collector · 01-15-2012, 08:48 PM

Hello to All,

Having lurked on the forum for a little over a year, I finally have something worthy to post about. I took the plunge last weekend and purchased my first M1A, an early Devine, serial number 001197. Searching through past posts I found that another member has #001193 and the two rifles are nearly identical twins. Set up as a NM it has some very unique features. Polished bolt at top near lugs and on underside, polished top of hammer, and polished op rod. Both the bolt and trigger group have been electro-penciled with the serial number. Stock is bedded and has the serial number and initials JJH stamped into the barrel channel. Have not had a chance to look through all the parts, but seems to be a mixture of USGI. I know the bolt is TRW and Trigger Housing is HRA. Couldn't find a maker's mark on the barrel. It's stamped "NM" on the top in the normal location, has a "P" and what looks to be the top half of a star next to the letter "M" on the right side. Would be curious if anyone knows what barrel I've got. Will be cleaning and checking components over the course of the next week or so. In the mean time, here are a few photos that the seller had.

Cheers,
M. D.

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Devine%20M1A/

Deacon · 01-15-2012, 09:33 PM

Welcome to the forum neighbor! I'm just a few miles to the west of you. Congrats on the very nice Devine.

hammonje · 01-15-2012, 09:46 PM

Superb looking rifle. I agree....one heck of way to start off with the M1A platform. Nice pics as well.

How much did it set you back?????

Old Sarge · 01-16-2012, 03:59 AM

Wow, that is one sweet rifle. Thanks for sharing with us.

Different · 01-16-2012, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1Collector

Hello to All,

Set up as a NM it has some very unique features. Polished bolt at top near lugs and on underside, polished top of hammer, and polished op rod. Both the bolt and trigger group have been electro-penciled with the serial number. Stock is bedded and has the serial number and initials JJH stamped into the barrel channel.

Couldn't find a maker's mark on the barrel.

Remove the hand guard. It's likely a Canadian Arsenals NM barrel. The manufacturer marking should be visible once the hand guard is taken off.

The features described are common for M1A rifles built by J J H. He built several Texas era M1A receivers into match rifles. I don't know who he was.

mescalito · 01-16-2012, 06:15 AM

Very nice. It looks as if it has been well cared for, congrats.

Seventh Fleet · 01-16-2012, 08:17 AM

Congratulations on a real find in an M-1A. You have a right to be proud.

7th

XXIV Corps · 01-16-2012, 09:59 AM

Welcome on board M1Collector, great looking rifle. Enjoy your time on the rifle range and you time here. Post often and enjoy our beloved M14's.

M1Collector · 01-16-2012, 05:18 PM

Hi,
Thanks for all the positive feedback. It's really appreciated. I can tell I'm going to enjoy this forum. Here are the answers to a couple of questions I've gotten. This rifle was actually offered by Ohio Ordnance Works. A friend of mine who knew I was looking for an early M1A saw it advertised on their website for $3000 and called me. I called them up to ask a few more questions about it. When I was satisfied that it was the real McCoy I asked them to bring it along with their other sales items to the last Ohio Gun Collectors Association show since they are a regular vendor. They obliged and when the show opened on Saturday I made a bee-line for their table. It was even better in person than I had hoped. When all was said and done I shelled out $2800 which included tax (and a USGI magazine). I think it was a fair deal. The down side was that I hardly had anything else to spend the rest of the show! Will keep you posted on how it shoots.
Cheers,
M.D.

RHallenbeck · 01-16-2012, 05:31 PM

That stock has some pretty grain.. Just curious , how is the barrel marked? Is it a "DEVINE TEX" only or does it have the "RT I BOX 210" as well..

Rick

M1Collector · 01-16-2012, 05:46 PM

Hi Rick,
The barrel is marked with the two line address. Here's a picture:
M.D.

bigblock · 01-16-2012, 07:25 PM

That was a good score. Enjoy the rifle and welcome.

Deacon · 01-16-2012, 08:37 PM

[QUOTE=M1Collector;787358]...I asked them to bring it along with their other sales items to the last Ohio Gun Collectors Association show since they are a regular vendor. They obliged and when the show opened on Saturday I made a bee-line for their table. It was even better in person than I had hoped. When all was said and done I shelled out $2800 which included tax (and a USGI magazine). I think it was a fair deal. The down side was that I hardly had anything else to spend the rest of the show!QUOTE]

A friend of mine said he saw a Devine there. Apparently you made off with it before I got to that area (you must have been the one I saw doing backflips

). You didn't need to buy anything else for it to be a memorable show!

M1Collector · 01-17-2012, 06:22 PM

Deacon,
This just may be the one your friend saw. Show opens at 08:00 and I was at Ohio Ordnances table by 08:25. Took about ten minutes of haggling to seal the deal. Afterwards my friends and I went back to Row A and proceeded to go row by row through the entire show. I did not see any other Devine M1A's for sale. Can't rule out that there may have been another, but we certainly didn't see one. I did see a very nice M1941 Johnson rifle priced to go at $2500. That would have been the only other temptation for me since I am primarily a WWII era collector. That being said, you are right, not much would have made it a more memorable show.
Cheers,
M.D.

cachunk · 01-17-2012, 06:31 PM

Seeing this rifle, this early gem, makes me smile.

Thanks for sharing, good shootin with it, I hope you have many years of enjoyment out of it