M14 Forum

Cattleman77

I know there are a lot of knowledgable folks on this forum, I have been lurking for a while. I am hoping someone has some history I am looking for that I have not been able to get from SA. SA customer service did send me a message saying that this rifle was built in Geneseo and I can get a letter of authenticity from them. They said this is one of the very 1st they built. The history I am trying to find out is what is the date SA started production on the M1A? Mine was built in Feb. 1975 as a standard with walnut stock. It has since been bedded by someone. The bottom of the barrel by the gas cylinder is pencil etched Geneseo, Il. The SN is 002873. Any detailed info would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Cattleman77

Ted Brown

According to the information I have, the receiver was one obtained by the IL company when they purchased SA from Elmer Ballance. It was probably produced when Elmer was building rifles in San Antonio (not Devine). Some 4000 receivers were made during the companies existance in Texas, but only a little over 2600 complete rifles.

Cattleman77

Thanks Ted, I am pretty sure you are correct about the receiver coming from the Texas purchase. I have seen a pic of 002874 barrel. It is stamped with the San Antonio address typical of the Devine stamping.

Cattleman77