Springfield 87M in Military 22 Caliber Target & Training Firearms Forum

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Springfield 87M

Author	Comment
leech2	Springfield 87M	Lead	[-]
Posts: 154 Mar 28 07 1:30 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None A very nice .22 semi-auto Springfield 87M, designed to look like an M-1 Garand, followed me home from a recent gun show. The metal is excellent and the wood reflects normal .22 use. I know it was never intended to be a military trainer but would love to know how many were made and when, if someone has collected that information. A Google was not very helpful. I felt good about the $175 investment and hope it was not a tuition payment toward the "School of Gun Trading". If I got screwed, please do not tell me. Leech If you have an 87M or Sears Ranger 101.16 and have not mentioned the number yet, please do so. A list of butt stock/butt plate numbers contributed on this subject can be found near the end of this thread. Last Edited By: leech2 Jan 12 12 1:24 PM. Edited 3 times.
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reddogge	Re: Springfield 87M	#1	[-]
Posts: 5025 Mar 28 07 3:01 PM Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	*Quote:* If I got screwed, please do not tell me. Ha-ha, I love that line and from a new member to boot. Welcome to the forum. We won't hurt your feelings. I don't know a thing about how many were made and I've only seen a few in person. I bought new a Marlin 99M1 in the mid 60's which was a carbine look alike and it was a fun little gun so maybe you'll enjoy yours. Keep you eyes peeled for a Harrington and Richardson Model 65 or the later Marine version the MC58 as they were designed to be a U.S. govt. trainer for the M1. You'll pay considerably more for them though.
afret20	Springfield 87M	#2	[-]
Posts: 20 Mar 28 07 4:38 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You should feel very happy if you paid $175 for that 87-M. I saw one at a gun show for $1000.Of course I don't think anyone would pay that but I recently read that you were lucky if you could find one under $500. So if anything, you were the screw and not the screwee.
leech2		#3	[-]
Posts: 154 Mar 28 07 11:24 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks afret20, your comments make be feel even better about my investment. You also make me feel just a little guilty about negotiating the price down from $200 but I'll get over it. Yep, I'm over it already. I consider myself very fortunate to have found it at a large crowded gun show at 11:30 AM and no one had scooped it up yet. I have a feeling not too many folks knew what it was. I am still hoping someone can provide numbers and dates for the rifle. Last Edited By: leech2 Nov 26 12 9:45 PM. Edited 1 times.
n64atlas	Re: Springfield 87M	#4	[-]
Posts: 602 Apr 1 07 3:59 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	does yours have a serial number? the one listed on the Collector Arms site that was posted on Jouster is supposed to have a serial number. Where if any is your serial number located?
Tangara	Re: Springfield 87M	#5	[-]
Posts: 637 Apr 1 07 5:28 PM Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Pictures? never seen one, post them if you can
leech2	Re: Springfield 87M	#6	[-]
Posts: 154 Apr 1 07 9:37 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I discovered the serial number, 101, stamped on the back of the butt plate and on the butt of the stock. I also found an article in the March, 1990, issue of the American Rifleman referring to this rifle. "It is probable that in this time (1940) the Springfield 87M was developed as a military-type training rifle." "Its walnut stock and handguard resembled the Garand's wood; its tubular magazine had to be withdrawn for loading; its utility was questionable and its production run short. The 87M is seldom encountered today in original configuration. After the war the 87M resurfaced in the Sears Roebuck catalog as the Model 101 .22." Photos can be found at www.collectorsfirearms.co...temID=2643
beanstrung	Re: Springfield 87M	#7	[-]
Posts: 6318 Apr 2 07 7:59 AM Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Do you think the serial number is 101, or could it be the Sears-Roebuck model number? Or could it be a Springfield production code that Sears later adopted as a model number? Or, might you have a Springfield 87M action that has been placed in a Sears-Roebuck model 101 stock? Anyway, definitely a sweet find! -------------------------------------------------------- What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand?
leech2	Re: Springfield 87M	#8	[-]
Posts: 154 Apr 2 07 9:08 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The receiver is marked J. Stevens and Springfield 87M so it is not a Sear "Ranger 101. In a letter to the editor in the July, 1990, issue of the American Rifleman, Richard Smith of Belleville, MI, states: "The checkered steel buttplate is numbered to the buttstock. The buttplate is numbered on the back and the buttstock is numbered under the buttplate. I have seen numbers from 21 through 104." The rifle listed at www.collectorsfirearms.co...temID=2643 had serial number 227 and the receiver is stamped the same way. I assume the location of the serial number was for convenience of manufacture. And we all know what trouble "assume" can cause. Until other verifiable facts come forth, I have to believe the information in my possession.
n64atlas	Re: Springfield 87M	#9	[-]
Posts: 602 Apr 2 07 4:08 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The letter on Collector arms says the serial number is 227. If it is a prototype, why would it have a 227 serial number. Seems it would be a lower number. Also, why isn't the letter signed be the person who wrote it. They did take a proper letter writing class to be at that level to know what it is. Even a secretary would sign the name of her boss on corespondence. There is a lot of speculation on these, even the AR article is iffy as they only whent on what they have heard. Savage may be able to answer some questions on this, or the gunshop that bought the one on collector Arms. They are still in business.
MK111	Springfield 87M	#10	[-]
Posts: 77 Apr 7 07 11:11 PM active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I got my Springfield 87M out and took the butt plate off, It has a 1 only stamped on the metal butt plate and on end od stock. Does this mean I have number ONE. I could not believe that I could be that lucky. Can this be some other numbering of some sort? I looked at that website but it doen't say where the serial number is located. There is no Serial number under the hand guard. Mine is in very good condition but is missing the center hand guard band and rear sling swivle.
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leech2	Re: Springfield 87M	#11	[-]
Posts: 154 Apr 19 07 10:04 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	MK111 Congratulations on a great find. I sure would like to believe that was their serial numbering method because I have not heard of any duplicate numbers mentioned yet. It makes some sense because it would be a very easy way to do the numbering. If this is the numbering system, then 227 is the largest I have heard so far. Verified info on this rifle appears to be very limited and thus many theories have arisen. I am willing to believe you have #1 until proven otherwise plus it makes a good story to go with the rifle. - Leech
MK111	Springfield 87M	#12	[-]
Posts: 77 Apr 20 07 1:07 PM active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks for the comment. But I sorta have the idea that this is some sort of numbering system to keep fitted parts together during assembly. Then maybe not. It would be nice if someone out there would know a past older employee of Springfield that could put some info into this. Can anyone out there help? Frank
scooter222	Re: Springfield 87M	#13	[-]
Posts: 5222 Apr 27 07 9:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Sounds like a nice find. I don't think I've seen a pic of one. Some advice as a owner of several M87s. Keep the action clean and use a dry lube like Elmers DriSlide or something similar. These actions gum up after a couple 100 rnds if the action has regular lube in them and slow down. JMHO
Redhand	Re: Springfield 87M	#14	[-]
Posts: 2 Apr 30 07 7:19 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I just checked mine which is in 98% condition and found the number -6.
RossRifleCo	Re: Springfield 87M	#15	[-]
Posts: 55 May 2 07 6:49 PM active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Mine has a 12 on the buttplate. Poor .22, Poor Boy!
leech2	Springfield 87M	#16	[-]
Posts: 154 May 3 07 10:08 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I am very pleased to see you guys coming forward with more butt plate numbers and no duplications yet which further convinces me they are indeed some kind of serial numbers. The one at www.collectorsfirearms.co...temID=2643 is number 227 so could that have been the last one produced? Until someone reveals a higher number, we may be able to conclude that 227 pieces was the production run. I have been hoping someone reading these posts had a relative working at the factory and could shine more light on this somewhat unusual rifle. - Leech
afret20	Re: Springfield 87M	#17	[-]
Posts: 20 May 3 07 3:21 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You may be right but I am inclined to believe that the stock and the butt plate were given numbers so they could be matched up during assembly. I figure the stock was sanded with butt plate on to insure a good fit and then the butt plate was removed during staining and finishing the stock, and then the butt plate reinstalled. If there was truly a low run of rifles made, both our theories could be correct. My stock/plate number is 35. I think though that if they wanted to searial number these guns they would have put it on the receiver, which is what makes a gun a gun. Butt plates and stocks are disposable. Just my thoughts.
leech2	Re: Springfield 87M	#18	[-]
Posts: 154 May 3 07 6:29 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Yep, that theory sounds good too. I'll have to look but I do not remember the fit and finish of the butt plate to be that great on mine. It would seem a little unusual to be that fussy with a .22 but when they were made time and labor were both cheap. One of these days someone is going to come through with the gospel on this rifle and we will all be happy to learn the truth. In the mean time, I am delighted to see the interest in this sleeper .22 and am enjoying all the input. Leech
afret20	Re: Springfield 87M	#19	[-]
Posts: 20 May 4 07 7:38 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	It is interesting to discuss these old rifles. I agree with you that there is better workmanship on the old rifles but at the time they were made time and labor may not have been so cheap by the standards of the day. I have seen the stock/buttplate numbering feature on other rifles but I can't remember a specific example so fading memory may be getting the best of me. When I got my 87M I found that someone had cut off the top half of the peep aperture and had filed a deep notch in the bottom part. The front sight was a very low blade just barely visible over the top handguard. Being simple minded as I am, I took a small washer and epoxied it to the remaining upright portion of the rear sight. Instant peep sight again. Aperture is a litle large, sort of like a ghost ring but usable. I relaced the front sight with an M1 carbine type sight. I know this will shock the purists among us but I enjoy making simple fixes. I hope if we advance enough theories someone who knows what he is talking about will take pity on us and set us straight. As to the wood/buttplate match not being especially good, my theory on that is that the stock may have been sanded or the wood has shrunk slightly over time. As you see, I have a theory for everything but an answerfor nothing.
leech2	Re: Springfield 87M	#20	[-]
Posts: 154 May 4 07 6:23 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	With the rear sight already screwed up, there was not much you could do other than remake the whole sight. Keep your eys open and someone may have one for sale that was replaced by a better version. Mine has the original sights and they leave a lot to be desired. The only thing my 87M is missing is sling swivels. I beleive the originals were 7/8" and am wondering if the rifle came with a sling. If so, what kind was it? The rear swivel will be easy but the front one may need to be a modification of something close. I am in no hurry so it will give me an excuse to go to more gun shows. As if I need an excuse. :-/
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