Springfield 1922 series of Training rifle was developed in 1922 at the US Military Springfield Armory. After WW1 it was felt a Training rifle more along the lines of the actual 1903 Springfield Military rifle being used was more practical.
The 1922 used rejected Springfield 1903 receivers and a slightly modified stock. It was fitted with a 22 caliber barrel and 5 round magazine. Also it was fitted with a Lyman Model 43 receiver sight.
The Model 1922 started production in 1922 and ended in 1925 with only about 2020 produced.
The Model 1922M1 started production in 1925 and ended in 1933. The improvements included a new bolt with a single firing pin, New style Lyman 43 sight, and a new shorter 5 round magazine that fitted flush instead of extended 1/4" or so out of the trigger guard. There was about 26,000 produced.
The Model 1922M2 started production in 1933 and ended in the last years of WW11 about 1943-44 when war time production demanded priority. The M2 improvements was a .050 longer magazine to improve function on chambering, the bolt had to be made flat on the bottom for the longer magazine. After about 6,000 rifles a new adjustable headspace bolt was installed and many of the 1st 6,000 were upgraded to the new bolt. There was about 26,000 produced.
All series of the Model 1922 was used for Military training, Military Shooting Teams, and various college Shooting Teams. Plus the NRA sold a version of the rifle.
In 1934-35 the 1922M2 after about 6,000 were produced was improved with a M2 style bolt with a adjustable headspace screw.
Only about 50 of the 1922 rifles were improved with the M2 style bolt and a 'A' was added to the serial number and a 'M2' was added to the Model stamp to show the improvement.
Many of the 1922M1 rifles were improved to the new M2 bolt and a 'B' was added to the serial number and a '1' was added to the 'M1' showing a 'M11' to show the improvement.
It appears many of the original 6,000 1922M2 rifles were upgraded to the improved M2 bolt as few rifles are seen without this improvement.
The Springfield 1922 series of rifles have a good collection following with Military collectors and prices have been on the rise. Of high interest is the original 1922 because of the low number produced, then the original 1922 converted to M2 because of the low number converted. Followed by the 1911M1 not converted to M2 as many didn't remained unconverted.
The last being the 1922M2 of the early 6000 serial range with the non M2 adjustable headspace bolt.
The NRA Sales rifles is a very special collecting series in itself. I haven't done much in this area and only have one rifle. Many of these NRA Sales rifles serial numbers are logged in a record book but not all. These demand much higher prices if the seller knows what it is.
This is how I understand the History of the Springfield 1922 series rifles. History facts do get cloudy as years pass us by.
IMHO
1922's top to bottom.
1. 1922 unaltered with the original extended magazine.
2. 1922 updated with M2 bolt marked with a 'A' to serial number and 'M2' to the Model one of about 50 updated.
3. 1922M1 unaltered and verified NRA Sales rifle.
4. 1922M1 upgraded to M2 bolt with 'B' added to serial number and '1' added to Model.
5. 1922M2
#3 & 4 have had the military front sight blades exchanged for a Lyman globe sight but I have the original blades to change back.
