1959 National Match M1 Rifles
While the approval by the NBPRP in 1958 of the gas cylinder with the reamed-out rear ring seemed to be a very minor allowable modification, it was indeed the “camel’s nose under the tent.” An increasing number of special NM parts were used on National Match rifles over the next five years. After relenting on the modified gas cylinder, the NBPRP permitted special windage knobs and bases for the 1959 National Matches. According to the updated regulations issued Dec. 15, 1958, “NM” should be stamped on the gas cylinder, rear sight base and rear sight windage knob assemblies. The rear sight aperture should be stamped “NM595” and the front sights stamped “NM062.” The latter indicated a smaller 0.0595-inch rear sight aperture and a narrower 0.062-inch-wide front sight blade, respectively. The special NM sights had been fabricated by Springfield Armory and could be used in competition as early as 1957 but had to be installed by the shooter. These sights were first used on new rifles built by Springfield Armory for the 1959 shooting season.

While these modifications helped the M1’s accuracy, one additional feature was desired for the M1 National Match rifle to further enhance its ability: glass-bedding the stocks. The 1959 NM rifle can be considered as something of a “transition” since it had a number of special NM-marked parts, but the stocks were not glass-bedded. Collectors typically differentiate the Type 1 from the Type 2 rifles in that the former did not have glass-bedded stocks while the latter did.

The increased accuracy requirements mandated for the NM M1 and the unrelenting pressure from competitive shooters resulted in the NBPRP finally dropping the fig leaf from the pretention that an ostensibly “as issued” service rifle could perform at the same level as highly modified competitive match rifles.

1960 “Type 2” National Match M1 Rifle
The relaxed specifications expanded the number of modifications incorporated into rifles assembled for the 1960 National Matches. As stated, the salient feature of these “Type 2” rifles, as compared to the Type 1 guns, was the glass-bedded stocks. While there was some variance, the following characteristics are indicative of Type 2 National Match M1 rifles:

Serial Number Range:
Type 2 National Match rifles were made from any serviceable receivers that Springfield had in stock. However, chiefly as a matter of pride, Springfield Armory primarily used receivers made by Springfield. Many of the Type 2 rifles assembled at the Armory were Type 1 rifles still in inventory that were upgraded by adding the latest “NM”-marked parts and glass-bedded stocks. Therefore, Type 2 National Match rifles can, conceivably, have receivers predating World War II to the latest receivers made (6.1 million serial-number range).

The following parts were marked “NM”:
-Gas cylinder (marked “NM” on underside of tang)
-Rear Sight Base (marked “NM” over ”062” on side)
-Front Sight (marked “NM” on side)
-Aperture (marked “NM” over “595” on shank)
-Windage Knob (marked “NM”)
-Barrel (marked “NM” between gas cylinder rings)
Type 2 National Match rifles also had the following identifying characteristics that distinguished them from later NM rifles:
-Glass bedded stock
-Last four digits of serial number marked in white in the barrel channel of stock and on the trigger housing
-Front handguard glued to lower band
-Operating rod not marked “NM”
-Sight aperture not hooded type

Barrels:
Barrels used on the Type 2 (1960) National Match rifles were standard service rifle barrels that were selected for close tolerances and measured by air gauging. Most were Springfield Armory (SA) barrels, but a few Line Material Co. (LMR) and Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. (HRA) barrels have been documented on genuine Type 2 NM Garands. 

Beginning in 1959, National Match M1 barrels were required to be stamped with the prescribed annual identification code. The first example was a “Greek Cross.” The code marking used in 1960 was a diamond with flattened points and curved sides, somewhat resembling a four-pointed star. The barrels were also stamped “T” denoting they met targeting requirements and “P,” indicating they had been successfully proof-fired.

Bob Seijas compiled the following table of National Match M1 rifle production from 1958 to 1961:
Year New Rebuilt  Total
1958 1,295    731  2,026
1959 2,887 2,652  5,539
1960    -     8,663  8,663
1961    -     1,410  1,410

There was a large increase in 1960’s numbers because the NM rifles on hand had to be upgraded to the new specifications. It would not be fair to give one competitor a 1960 rifle with all improvements while giving another an older, less accurate, model. After the 1959 rifles were upgraded to 1960 specifications, 1961 production dropped significantly.

1961 “Type 2” National Match M1 Rifle
The National Match M1 rifles made for the 1961 matches were very similar to the 1960 variant and differed mainly in the following:

-The operating rod was marked “NM” on handle and the drawing number “7790722-SA.” Later variations were made by Remington and marked “7790722-RA”
-1961 “triangle” annual code stamped in barrel date area
-Last four digits of the rifle’s serial number were marked on the floorplate

1962 “Type 2” National Match M1 Rifle
The most noticeable change from the 1961 rifles found on the 1962 guns was the addition of a hooded rear sight with a different diameter aperture. Special National Match barrels, drawing numbers “F7791035” and “F7791034” were approved for use in 1962 but there is no evidence any were used that year, and all known 1962 NM rifles were fitted with standard barrels.

Except for the barrel date, 1962 Type 2 National Match M1 rifles were essentially identical to the 1961 variant except for the following:

-Hooded aperture rear sight that permitted half clicks of elevation and marked “NM” on cylinder and “NM” on shank
-Rear sight base marked “NM/2” on side
-1962 Annual Star code “NM” marked barrel

It should be noted that this star annual code (stamped in the chamber area) was unrelated to earlier M1 NM barrels that had a star marking near the muzzle to denote stricter accuracy test.

1963 “Type 2” National Match M1 Rifle
The final variant of the M1 National Match Garand was the rifles made in 1963, after which assembly ceased. Circa 1967, the National Match rifle program, such as it was, shifted to Rock Island Arsenal.

As might be expected, the 1963 NM rifles were quite similar to the 1962 variety. The chief differences between the two variants were:

-The previously authorized, but heretofore unused, “F7791035” match barrels were fitted to the 1963 rifles. The only differences between these two types of barrels were minor variations in the dimensions of the bore and groove diameters. Barrels dated between “11-62” and “3-63” have been observed.
-The “star” code annual marking and “NM” designation were dropped on the 1963 rifles and only the standard T and P markings were present in addition to the standard markings found on all M1 barrels (drawing number, date, “m,” etc.). No “annual code” markings were applied.
-Rear sight base marked “NM/2A” 
-The “7790722-R”A drawing number operating rods, marked “NM” on the handle

Otherwise, the 1963 NM rifles were essentially identical to the 1962 variety.

After 1963, M14 NM rifles were produced at the Armory and began to replace the M1 NM beginning with the 1964 National Matches. The number of National Match M14s made at Springfield Armory was far less than the number of M1 NM rifles made between 1953 and 1963.