M14 Forum

M1AScout · September 7th, 2008, 05:59 AM

"L H Gun Co S A TEX 78226" was stamped on the barrels of some of the first 100 M1A rifles made by Elmer Ballance.
Does anybody else, besides me (#00006x), have an L.H.Gun Co. stamped M1A barrel? If so, I would love to see pics or hear about them!

Texasflyboy · December 12th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M1AScout

"L H Gun Co S A TEX 78226" was stamped on the barrels of about the first 100 M1A rifles made by Elmer Ballance.
Does anybody else, besides me (#00006x), have an L.H.Gun Co. stamped M1A barrel? If so, I would love to see pics or hear about them!

Serial Number 100 was sold as a receiver and later assembled into a complete rifle. I handled it when it was for sale in the 2002 time range at the Houston Gun Collectors Semi Annual gunshow in Houston, TX.

The seller indicated he was the original owner and had the rifle built while stationed near an army Ft. in Georgia in the 1970's timeframe.

The parts were are USGI NM that I could see. The stock was a standard walnut surplus M-14 with the cut out filled in.

ttpete · January 4th, 2009, 08:22 AM

It has an NM barrel, and a T44E4 stock with a Garand buttplate.

M1AScout · April 16th, 2010, 05:52 AM

Anybody else?

SPEEDGUNNER · June 3rd, 2010, 09:34 AM

You are correct in stating that it was stamped on "some" of the barrels in the first run of rifles. According to Elmer, not all the barrels got stamped in the early days.

M1AScout · June 3rd, 2010, 12:40 PM

Yup, IIRC that's why he had some "problems" with ATF (due to the barrels/receivers not being stamped with the required mfg. location).

dighawaii · June 3rd, 2010, 02:47 PM

Hiya M1AScout! and Aloha Speedgunner...

Quote:

According to Elmer, not all the barrels got stamped in the early days.

Quote:

Yup, IIRC that's why he had some "problems" with ATF (due to the barrels/receivers not being stamped with the required mfg. location).

Is this true?

The reason I ask, is that not to long ago, there was a significant amount of controversy, that if an early M1A barrel was not properly stamped or had no stamp, then the rifle COULD NOT have been produced (made) by Springfield Armory. The early M1A's without the properly stamped barrels were said to have been sold as receivers only and made by someone else other than Springfield Armory Inc.

Very curious.

Tom O.

M1AScout · June 3rd, 2010, 03:12 PM

Hi Tom,
As far as I know, the only complete rifles that got out without a stamped barrel, if any, were among the first 100. I don't know if the ATF made Elmer call any back and stamp them. I guess only Elmer knows for sure. Maybe an indicator of a non stamped original barrel would be the "NM" stamp as I think that's all he used in the beginning.

Since I haven't gotten any replies to this thread from someone else with an "L.H.Gun Co." stamped barrel, I am beginning to believe that I may have the ONLY one!

(The receiver though is rolled Springfield Armory).
Regards,
Mike

dighawaii · June 4th, 2010, 01:16 AM

Aloha Mike,

Quote:

Since I haven't gotten any replies to this thread from someone else with an "L.H.Gun Co." stamped barrel, I am beginning to believe that I may have the ONLY one!

(The receiver though is rolled Springfield Armory).

You might at that!

Nah, I seem to recall a couple people who had the L.H. Gun Co. stamp, although I'm not one of them. The Devine section get's little action and views nowadays, so give it some time...

Thanks for the information. I have two "early" M1A's with no barrel stamps (000377 and 000529) but I am not worried it. As long as the receivers passed through the original Springfield Armory Inc., I'm happy!

Aloha and Best Wishes,

Tom O.

SPEEDGUNNER · September 27th, 2010, 04:10 PM

My rifle is #106. When I called Elmer to ask him about it, and ask about the lack of stampings on the barrel he turned it around and asked me the questions! As I answered each question he responded with a "uh-huh" before asking the next, parts makers, markings, etc. At the end his answer was "Yup, you got one of the good ones, I built that rifle" and then we talked for quite a while longer about how much fun he had back then. A true treasure.

mach 1 stang · January 16th, 2011, 11:56 AM

I have a Devine with a two digit serial number under #000049 and it is not stamed under the barrel. It is a NM and looks about new condition. Fired a tight 5-round group at 100-Yards, cleaned it up and stored it in the back of the safe to keep off any possible scratches.
Mach 1 Stang
PS: Keeping the Devine, but might sell the 03' Mach 1 with 39,000 miles. It is one of the rare white ones.

dighawaii · January 17th, 2011, 11:29 AM

Mach 1,

Congrats on your acquisition! I believe that rifle 000049 belonged to Lee (forum member "Different"). IIRC, it was configured as a NM rifle.

Aloha,

Tom O.

Different · January 17th, 2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dighawaii

I believe that rifle 000049 belonged to Lee (forum member "Different").

I think he is stating that he has a M1A with a serial number lower than 000049. Perhaps it is serial number 000048? I still have 000049.

mach 1 stang · January 18th, 2011, 01:50 PM

The Devine serial number is 000030. We visited Elmer Ballance yesterday. He enjoyed seeing it after so many years since its birth date. He is doing fine, and we enjoyed visiting him again. We picked up some 1911 slides, a stock and some parts.
Are there any Devine serial numbers lower then mine on this Form? I haven't been a member very long.
My previous Devine was #1695, which now went back to its previous owner. Still in the family.
Mach 1Stang

M1AScout · January 18th, 2011, 02:34 PM

Got pics?