What is the age and history of the Springfield 87M?

Answer 1

the springfield 87m was a product of the savage/ stevens arms company and was a variation of the stevens 87a action. The company used the springfield name to cash in on the popularity of the springfield armory military 1903/ 1903A bolt action rifle as well as the newly adopted M1 Garand rifle. The rifle was placed in a walnut looking stock and rumor had it that the rifle was produced as a possible military garand like training rifle however the rifle was never accepted by the Govt. Approx 300 rifles were produced around 1940 and ended up being sold to commercial accounts. The rifle was very expensive back then and did not sell well. The Springfield name was discontinued around 1946-48. None of the 300 rifles had serial numbers however a number can be found on the underside of the military metal butt plate on the end of the stock. A later version of the 87M was produced for SEars under the name Ranger 101.16.

Three versions of the 87M are out in the market. One has open sights. The other two feature a Weaver 330 scope similiar to the one produced for the military. The scopes are on two distinct mounts- one sits high and the rifle had the front sight intact. The other is on a low mount and the front sight is removed. All three rifles feature a military leather sling.

Recent auction in 2010 brought $1000 and March, 2012 an 87M without the scope brought $1200.

The 87M is appreciating rapidly and examples in good condition are very hard to find. While prices for everyday 87A rifles are between 100-200 dollars, the 87m has taken on the mystique of the " rifle that should have been a garand trainer or were the 300 prototypes that the govt decided not to buy".

Some have called the 87M a " T1" trainer, however the T1 was a Pederson prototype 7mm rifle that was in competition with the Garand " T3" prototype as a replacement for the military 1903/1903A springfield Armory bolt action rifle. General MdArthur demanded that the calibre be changed to 30-06 and the Garand was the winner of the competition/ placed into mass production 1940.

The action of the 87M is nicknamed " Gill Gun" due to the vents on the left side of the receiver. The 87 action is also called " Clickity Clack" guns referring to the sound of the semi- auto action when fired.

The rifle is accurate and fun to shoot.

No production records exist as a factory fire destroyed all records. internet web sites list perhaps two dozen or less rifles based on the production number on the underside of the stock butt plate.