8/24/20 - This is one of the most difficult National Match Garand rifles for collector to acquire: an all original, CMP documented, mint type 1 gun. As the name implies, Type 1 National Match rifles were first intruduced in the mid-1950s with the idea of making a rifle that could compete in national matches. With that in mind, the best barrels were selected, and paired up with the existing inventory of receivers and using the best components available. These were sold to various shooting clubs, at Camp Perry events and to individuals through the DCM (Director of Civilian Marksmanship) - predecessor of CMP. Only Springfield arsenal parts were used, and the barrel was the only part marked with a “NM” on the left side. Springfield Arsenal stocks were used as well as were marked with a “serif P in the circle” and a DOD cartouche on the left side. This particular gun is all correct and has all of the distinguishing characteristics mentioned above. It is near mint with beautiful parkerizing on the metal and practically no wear on the stock. It is accompanied by a letter from CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program), verifying that the rifle was indeed sold as a National Match rifle. Many of these were eventually converted to Type 2 configurations, with very few originals (like this one) remaining in factory Type 1 configuration. Impossible to upgrade!