The Galleries
- Robert E. Petersen Collection
- Ancient Firearms - 1350 to 1700
- Road to American Liberty - 1700 to 1780
- A Prospering New Republic - 1780 to 1860
- A Nation Asunder - 1861 to 1865
- The American West - 1850 to 1900
- Innovation, Oddities and Competition
- Theodore Roosevelt and Elegant Arms - 1880s to 1920s
- World War I and Firearms Innovation
- WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Beyond - 1940 to Present
- For the Fun of It
- Modern Firearms - 1950 to Present
- Hollywood Guns
Springfield Armory M 1A Semi Automatic Rifle
This is a semi-automatic version of the U.S. M14 service rifle used during the war in Vietnam. The ART II telescopic sight was donated by DPMS of Becker, MN, and was used by U.S. troops in Vietnam for sniper applications.
1957 Springfield (U.S.) M-1A Semi-automatic Detachable Magazine Rifle (repeater/ breech-loading/ smokeless powder/ cartridge ammunition) In 1945 the U.S. Army was busy designing a select-fire (semi- or fully-automatic) rifle to augment the M1 battle rifle. Just as an order for 100,000 prototypes was placed, World War II came to an end, and the order was canceled. Still, in their wisdom, U.S. ordnance designers continued to work out and improve the design.
Finally, in 1957, the M14 was officially accepted. Probably the best large-caliber military shoulder arm ever devised, this National Match version will drive nails" at over 200 yards. Using the best large-caliber round of its day, the .308 Winchester, these arms could be equipped with telescopic sights for use as sniper rifles." --Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION; #152