USMC M40 s/n 221235 w/ matching scope

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Random Guy
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Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:40 am

USMC M40 s/n 221235 w/ matching scope

Post by Random Guy »

Hi, I hope this organization might be able to assist regarding a couple of questions I have regarding USMC M40 rifles made in 1966. The original gov't contract is NOM-73566. Records show that Remington shipped 700 M40 rifles in June 1966, 550 with scopes and 150 without scopes.

An advanced collector (with deep pockets) that I know recently purchased a real USMC M40 sniper rifle still in its Vietnam era configuration. Here's the store that he got it from:
https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/prod ... 30701.html

Serial # on rifle, scope, scope mount and bolt all match - but the scope and scope mount were likely replacement items.
This serial number is low and is likely from the original June 1966 shipment of 700 M40 rifles to the USMC.
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The barrel appears to have an install date of April 1968, based this code "A & R". I would like to know if anyone has access to the record to confirm this rifle was made in 1966, and re-barreled in 1968, probably due to wear and tear from a tour in Vietnam (oxidized barrels from that Monsoon climate was common).
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...and here's the mystery 322k serial range seen on roughly 44 or so USMC M40s as inventoried in the 1980s.
This would correspond to a 1968 serial range, well after the M40 order by the USMC in mid-1966.
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Two questions: Did Remington replace unserviceable M40 receivers during the contract period of NOM-73566? That would explain the odd handful of 1968 era receivers in the 322x range despite the shipment date of the original USMC order being 1966. (No one knows what the upper serial range was for that original order in 1966, whether it was 22x,xxx or 32x,xxx).

Second question: Was serial # 221235 part of the USMC shipment in June 1966, and get a new barrel in the spring of 1968?

There are probably less than 10 or 12 original M40s in private hands, so this is a rare rifle. Any info is very much appreciated(!).
Random Guy
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:40 am

Re: USMC M40 s/n 221235 w/ matching scope

Post by Random Guy »

Given Remington's unfortunate bankruptcy, is it not possible to research things like this old M40? Just curious.
I was hoping to find info similar to the info that Joe Poyer had in his book. Any assistance is appreciated.
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Bwarepi
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Mar 12, 2022 7:10 pm

Re: USMC M40 s/n 221235 w/ matching scope

Post by Bwarepi »

I haven’t done a lot of research on issue dates but I served as a 8541 in ‘97. My rifle serial number was 221210 but mine had an unertl.
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