mikemarvin

Beautiful gun, Chris.

Nice pics of your Reising arsenal, I can almost hear the clinking of empty cartridges hitting the ground. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Mike

wOw!!!! That's impressive! Especially like that M50 and M60. How'd they shoot? Mike

Hi David, As far as serial # 1 on the M65, I was quoting something that you had posted on gunboards.com/the.22caliberforum in Oct. 2012. (quote) "The Batha book is a good guide, but it has several inaccuracies in the Model 65 chapter. On the subject of H&R WWII serial numbers, my observations are as follows:" Starting serial numbers over for new models was consistent with H&R practices during the WWII period from what I have observed for their Reising family of firearms. Serial numbers appear to have started at 1 for Reising Model 50 Submachine Guns (although the Paratrooper variant Model 55's were produced within the Model 50 serial number range)Serial numbers appear to have started at 1 for Reising Model 60 Semi-Automatic CarbinesSerial numbers appear to have started at 1 for Model 65 .22 RiflesSerial numbers appear to have started at 1 for Model 165 “Leatherneck” Rifles" (end quote)So I took that to mean that you had verified that. Since I discovered this fine forum I have always taken your info as being top-notch. I really mean that! There's a lot of mis-information on the net regarding these rifles and the last thing I want to do is add any more bad info. As far as 10,000 of the USMC spec rifles, I've seen listings of as high as 99xx, so I am saying they were made at least to 10,000. They could go as high as 11,000. The lowest serial # that I have seen listed of the rifles with the new features available for sale to civilians so far is 11,xxx. Other people have stated that the new features started around ser # 10,000, so I went with that. The highest number I have seen listed is 185xx on the rifles with the new features. When I first started researching these rifles everyone believed that there were 6,000 USMC spec rifles made. They further said that the MC58 continued numbering from there when they were made in the 1950's. We've seen that the M65 numbering continued right through the same numbering as the MC58. So while I did say (aprox) 10,000 of the original spec rifles and (aprox) 10,000 more of the newer spec M65's, the true final numbers are not known at this time. Also, at this time there is not substantiated proof that any of the first 10,000 were sold to civilians. So please allow me a little leeway as I hunt down more info. Again, I'm not claiming to know it all, I'm just trying to push this info further. With everybody contributing info and pictures we should be able to uncover some of the missing info. Thanks, Mike

Hey all, This year with many people helping, a lot more info has turned up on the Reising M65. We know now that the original USMC spec M65 has serials from 1 to at least 10000. So far the highest serial number that has been noted is 99xx, on the USMC spec rifle. It is not known at this time if any of the first 10,000 rifles were sold to civilians. Starting around number 10000 the civilian M65 was sold to the public near the end of WW2. These rifles have some differences from the military rifles. From about 10,000 to 20,000 (aprox) the M65 have these improvements/changes. The highest serial number of these noted, so far is 185xx. The lowest serial number of these noted so far is 118xx. The differences on the civilian M65 include: A slimmer stock without crossbolts, A newer style bolt lock, (the new bolt lock has it's 2 screws at the very left and right ends of the bolt lock slide.) A trigger adustment screw, A different disconnector, (it now has a hinged "beak" on the front end) The civilian M65 was produced with a parkerized finish just like the USMC M65, the company explained that due to the ongoing war effort this was the only finish available. They stated that after the war the rifles would be blued. In late 1945 the M165 was introduced. It was blued. Please contribute any pictures and info you have on your M65's. Thanks, Mike

Hey n64atlas, Congrats on picking up the M60! Can't wait to see some pics. The M60 is #1 on my wish list, still hoping it happens some day. Mike

Hi, What style bolt lock is on this one? The 5000 serial number range would put it in the middle of the original USMC specified trainers. The first 10,000 (aprox) had the original style bolt lock. But were not blued, from the factory, anyway. These also had stocks with crossbolts. "Lunch Box M65" I like that. You got to get creative with the barrel! Mike

Wow, Nice additions, can't wait to see the M60. Whats the serial # range on the new M65? I'm gonna retake photos of my M65, I don't like the color of the ones I posted here. I'll retake them outside. Mike

Hey Charlie, Nice rifle, USMC example. So it's got the heavier stock with crossbolts, old style bolt lock? Thanks for posting. Mike

n64atlas, I ordered a couple of the Marlin mags. They'e 10 rd. .22lr. They should be at my place by now. I'm away so it could be a while before I can test them. With the prices that are being paid now for the originals, when you can find them, this may be a good alternative. Thanks, Mike

Hi Charlie, I have been following that thread. Lot's of good info! For a while though it seemed as if it had died on the vine. I'm glad to see all the new postings. Thats what lead me over here. dalbert had put together his Reising data base and included the M65's, M165, MC-58, 150, 151 here along with the SMG's. Maybe David and Cass and others will agree to combine all this info in one place, or link it together across the forums and we can all contribute what we've found seperately. I'm away right now, but I have a lot more to add. I should be able to post more soon. About the avatar, I love this drawing. Do you know who the original artist is? Thanks, Mike

It's a matter of preferance or need, probably easier to obtain. Mike

The stock on that is really nice, typically worn in a nice way, would look great with a USMC ser# rifle that hasn't been historically ruined by bluing it. I wonder if the stock and buttplate numbers match. Still a great rifle to shoot.

Thanks n64atlas, I ordered from Numrich, should have in a few days. Mike

Yeah, the metal on the stock is still original, it was probably owned at some time by someone who didn't appreciate the beauty of the original worn parked finish. I'll check out RFC.