Make: Springfield Armory

Model: MII. A Model 1922 MI that’s been upgraded to M2 status, and thus redesignated and restamped “MII” during the arsenal upgrade process. The M2 was the final designation of the Model 1922 .22 caliber trainers.

Serial Number: 193

Year of Manufacture: 1925-1933

Barrel Date: March 1937

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Bolt Action, Detachable Magazine

Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / ARMORY / MODEL OF 1922 / MII CAL. .22 / 193”. The top front of the barrel is marked “S A / flaming bomb / 3 – 37”. The left side of the barrel shank is marked “LONG RIFLE / CART’GE ONLY”. The safety lever is marked “SAFE READY”. The top of the bolt handle is marked “N S” for nickel steel and “M2 BM”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked with a punch. The extractor is marked “C 3993”. The bolt body is marked “0768”. The bolt body is marked “M2” ahead of the lug. The barrel band is marked “U”. The right side of the rear sight is marked with the Lyman logo, and the top is marked “LYMAN”. 

Barrel Length: 24 1/2”, Round

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a pinned blade atop a serrated raised base, dovetailed to a barrel band. The rear sight is a fully adjustable Lyman 48C aperture sight marked “0 25 50 75 100 125”.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece walnut with a straight bottom pistol grip, finger grooves, barrel band, two sling loops, and a checkered metal buttplate. The bottom of the pistol grip is marked “M2”. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches, and compression marks, some of which have damaged small portions of the surface. The most prominent marks are under the left side of the receiver. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stock rates in about Very Good Condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no notable erosion in the bore. There is a small ring bulge toward the center. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10 given the slight bulge, but otherwise would rate 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The metal shows scattered scuffs and scrapes, as well as light discoloration from oxidation. The receiver has been heavily cleaned. The bottom metal shows scratches and light surface erosion. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep throughout save for the barrel where the date markings are very shallow, but still legible for the most part. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with one unmarked, aftermarket blued 5-round magazine in Fine Plus Condition.

Our Assessment: The Model 1922 series of training rifles were designed to mimic the full size Model 1903 Springfield. Chambered in .22 LR, the goal was to give soldiers trigger time on a M-1903 Springfield style rifle without the expense of .30-06 ammo. The M1922MI was produced from 1925-1933 with about 20,000 made. There were two versions, one for US military issue and the other for “NRA” sale to civilians through the DCM (forerunner of the CMP). The military issue version was distinguished by not being drilled and tapped for scope mounts, and the stock having military style finger grooves and a straight bottom pistol grip. In 1933, the final version of the 1922 training rifle was adopted, designated the M2, and primarily featured a new bolt with adjustable headspace and better extractor. When older rifles were returned to the armory for repairs, they were retrofitted with the new parts. 1922 rifle receivers were re-stamped 1922M2, and 1922MI rifles were re-stamped 1922MII.

This US Pre-WW2 Springfield Armory .22 Training Rifle started life as a standard Model 1922 MI made between 1925-1933. It was then arsenal rebuilt by Springfield Armory, brought up to M2 specifications with a new bolt, redesignated and restamped as a “Model 1922 MII”, and installed with a 1937 dated barrel by Springfield Armory during the rebuild process. It’s in Very Good Condition, and features a 24 1/2” barrel, 60% of its original (to arsenal rebuild) parkerized finish, classic one-piece smooth walnut “M2” marked stock with a straight bottom pistol grip, finger grooves, and a checkered steel buttplate, an “N S” (for nickel steel) and “M2” marked bolt, a fully adjustable Lyman 48C rear aperture sight, solid mechanics, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no notable erosion. There’s a small ring bulge toward the center. The bore rates 6/10 given the slight bulge, but otherwise would rate 9/10.