SA wasn't making them anymore and it appears they contracted out. Made in California where they always try something new and then force it down the throats of the rest of the U.S.Rick B
SA wasn't making them anymore and it appears they contracted out. Made in California where they always try something new and then force it down the throats of the rest of the U.S.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Maybe the bag is as phoney as the bands?
I erased my signature and don't know why.
If that's the package they really came from, I would say they were authentic. Many vendors made parts for the military by different means. SA brazed them, but they were making M14 parts in 1967, so most likely they contracted them out.
The Garand Guy
garandguy.com
Just got a reply from Bill Ricca, they are the real deal
"I am the master of my unspoken words, and a slave to those that should have remained unspoken. ...
"Official 2010 Mini-G & 2011 Summer Postal Shoot Biggest Looser"
They are cast reproductions or contract but they are not anywhere near the orignals being cast. They were contracted as replacements and not war nor to specs of the U.S G.I. ones if that makes sense. To a shooter it is fine but to a collector their incorrect. It can boil down to how someone views it and both may be correct when you think about it. Rick B
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
This is the response from Bill Ricca
They are legit. The contract was from fiscal years 1965 & 66. The maker was:
Bellmore Johnson Tool Co.
Hamden, Ct
"I am the master of my unspoken words, and a slave to those that should have remained unspoken. ...
"Official 2010 Mini-G & 2011 Summer Postal Shoot Biggest Looser"
The original link isn't working for me so I can't see the pic. Anyway, here is a pic of a band I found on the CMP forum. It is identical to the one that came on my 5.8 SA from the CMP. Anyway, mine is worn so I know it wasn't CMP replacement metal. Going through vci packaged bands at Tony Giacobbe's we came across some that were identical to mine. Bill Ricca said he has seen them before also. Stu
When dealing with liberals, always attribute to malice what would ordinarily be attributed to incompetence.
"Of course it won't be easy; nothing worthwhile ever is. That is why I have always failed where others have succeeded."-Clouseau
Stu
These dont have the circle on top like yours, here is a front and back pic of them
"I am the master of my unspoken words, and a slave to those that should have remained unspoken. ...
"Official 2010 Mini-G & 2011 Summer Postal Shoot Biggest Looser"
Bill, thanks for posting the pics. They do look cast no doubt. Mine has that little circle on the top as you see in the pic but the face has the familiar milling marks. Ever expanding knowledge base.
When dealing with liberals, always attribute to malice what would ordinarily be attributed to incompetence.
"Of course it won't be easy; nothing worthwhile ever is. That is why I have always failed where others have succeeded."-Clouseau
Bill Ricca is a specialist in knowing manufacturer's codes. When he says it's right, it's right!
The Garand Guy
garandguy.com
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