December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
After the closure of the U.S. Springfield Armory in 1968, Elmer Ballance began the manufacture of a semi-automatic version of the M1A in San Antonio, Texas. In 1972, production moved to a larger facility in Divine Texas, and then once again in May, 1974, production was moved to Radium Drive in San Antonio before the company was sold later that year. Approximately 4,600 receivers were produced for assembly in Texas, although many were on hand after the sale of the company and transfer of production to Illinois. Usually found in the 002000-002500 range an estimated 200 guns were assembled with Radium address before October 1974. This slightly later example serial number "003358" features a pantograph "1206 RADIUM S A TEX 78206" address marked barrel. Classic configuration constructed from a mixture of newly made and USGI components including cage flash hider, protected blade front sight, adjustable aperture rear, fiberglass handguard, and DOD cartouche stamped hardwood stock with M14 tool trap buttplate. CONDITION: Excellent. Near new with only mild handling. Very good, bright bore. TE of 0. Fine mechanics. An outstanding example of a very scarce and collectible M1A.
Manufacturer
Springfield Armory