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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  U.S. RIFLE M14E2 7.62MM SN# 6448
Maker/Manufacturer:	SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Date of Manufacture:
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3302
Measurements:	OL:113.7CM 44 7/8" BL: 55.8CM 22"

Object Description:

U.S. RIFLE M14E2 7.62MM SN# 6448
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - Tag attached to rifle states this is an experimental rifle w/Gosney original stock (USAIB) Select switch. Hinged buttplate. Rubber recoil pad. Ventilated plastic hadnguard. Weapon complete with 20-rd. magazine and sling and in good condition.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/7.62-MM M14/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/6488.
Bolt: 7790185-SA/Y02.
Stock: 2 in white.
Recoil pad: TRADE WHITE LINE MARK+

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 19 MArch 1965. At that time weapon was appraised at $318.65.

Notes: "Between July and December 1964, 8,350 M14 rifles were converted to M14E2 rifle delivered to the military. Originally, TRW and Winchester were tasked with the M14E2 conversions but the supplier was late in delivering the rubber coated metal fore grips. When the fore grips were finally delivered, Springfield Armory did the conversions in order to speed delivery of the M14E2 to military units. By April 1966, the M14E2 had been designated as the M14A1. The classification M14E2 means the second experimental design for the Model 14 rifle. The M14A1 stands for the first alternate configuration for the Model M14 rifle. Among collectors, the terms M14E2 and M14A1 are interchangeable.
The M14A1 as a Sniper Rifle - Less than 100 M14 rifles were fitted with walnut M14E2 stocks for use as sniper rifles. These rifles could also fire M198 duplex ball ammunition in automatic if need be. This work was performed at Anniston Army Depot and Rock Island Arsenal. An example of these M14A1 sniper rifles is discussed in the article entitled 'Snipers in Vietnam Also Need Firepower' by Army Lieutenant Louis A. Garavaglia in the January 1968 American Rifleman. Prior to 1968, a sniper detachment was created within the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) Company of the U.S. Army 4th Division in Viet Nam.
The LRRP Company sniper detachment tested the following rifles for use as a sniper weapon: Winchester Model 70, Remington Model 700, M14, M16A1, and three versions of the AK47. The M14 was chosen because it reliable, capable of long distance shots and could deliver volume of fire if needed. These M14A1 sniping rifles were used in the Central Highlands of the Republic of Viet Nam and configured as follows: 1.) all Harrington & Richardson models 2.) equipped with M14E2 stocks 3.) equipped with M84 2.2 x scopes 4.) lighter M16A1 bipods mounted on the gas cylinders just forward of the spindle valves and .5) the selector switches were installed. The M14A1 proved sufficiently accurate for sniping use. It was found that experimental shooters could easily hit Army E type silhouette targets at 700 meters from the prone position. This was equivalent to shooting a man that was kneeling at 700 meters. Snipers equipped with these scoped M14A1 rifles took nine magazines of ammunition with them. The nine magazines were loaded to eighteen rounds each. Two magazines contained M118 match grade cartridges and the other seven magazines held M198 duplex ball rounds. Should the three man sniper team get into a firefight, snipers would remove the match ammunition, insert a magazine of duplex rounds and switch to automatic for suppressive fire.
At the end of 1970 or early 1971, a custom built M14A1 rifle was issued to Chuck Karwan, an officer of the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division, while in the Republic of Vietnam. This rifle was bedded and equipped with a Griffin & Howe, Inc. design scope mount, M84 scope and M14 butt plate and the vertical fore grip removed." - Emerson

References:
Emerson, Lee. M14 RIFLE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. October 10, 2006.
Test data sheet in library.