Springfield Armory BM59 7.62 Semi-Auto Rifle Grenade Launcher Bi-pod Mags
SOLD FOR: $2,425.01
LSB#: LSB251207SJ019
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: BM59 Standard.
Serial Number: 0000348
Year of Manufacture: July 1981 Verified with Springfield
Caliber: 7.62×51 NATO
Action Type: Semi-auto, 20 round detachable box magazine fed with rifle grenade launcher, bi-pod, and winter trigger.
Markings: The receiver is marked “7.62mm BM59 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 0000348”. The cylinder lock, bi-pod, clip latch, winter trigger, trigger group and op rod are marked “PB BM59”. The hammer is marked “C46008-3SA”. The butt pad is marked “P.BERETTA ITALY”. The bolt is marked “D-28287 PB”. The windage knob is marked “LEFT” twice with two arrows and “WRIGHT”. The elevation knob is marked 2-12 in increments of 2 and “PB”. The rifle grenade sight is marked “”ENERGA”, “100”, “75”, and “50”.
Barrel Length: 23.5” with the rifle grenade launcher.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable aperture sight set between two protective wings. The front sight also has the rifle grenade ladder sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose cap with sling loop, metal nose cap connected to the barrel and gas tube, two divots for the bipod feet, underside swiveling sling loop, and a hard rubber butt pad with a two hole storage compartment. The length of pull is 12.75”. The wood shows scattered minor lines and compressions with rub wear from the op rod. The wood shows some rub wear in the mag well. The stock shows evidence of being sanded and refinished. There are no chips or cracks. The butt pad shows some rub wear from use with no chips or cracks. Overall the stock is in Very Good+ condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: The rifle includes 7 total 20 round magazines. 3 of the magazines are in Very Good condition. The other 4 show some wear, mostly rub wear, surface level lines, and scattered surface rust.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. The feed ramps are clean. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9.75/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal refinish. The exterior shows some minor marks. The bolt shows minor rub wear on the friction surfaces. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good+-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes the 7 magazines and canvas sling.
Our Assessment: Following the Second World War Italy’s industrial base was in shambles, including their arms factories. Like the armed forces of many other nations that were devastated by the war, the Italian armed forces procured American surplus arms in the form of M1 Garands to rearm themselves. These remained the standard arm of the Italian armed forces until it became apparent that an upgrade to a 7.62 NATO cartridge capable rifle was necessary to stay on even footing with its other NATO allies. Italy was still a poor nation in the late 1950s so the full-scale adoption of something like the FAL or G3 was out of the question. Instead, some engineers at Beretta came up with a solution that would utilize the M1 Garands Italy had on hand. The rifles were rechambered to 7.62 NATO, set up to take detachable magazines, fitted with bipods and a rifle grenade launcher/flash hider, and reworked to be select-fire. These new rifles were designated as the BM59. The BM59 would serve Italy from its introduction in 1959 into the 1990s when it was replaced by a much more modern 5.56 rifle. Numerous parts kits and semi-automatic versions were later imported into the United States. This BM59 was made by Springfield and includes all the standard BM59 features and even includes the winter trigger for use with heavy gloves. Other notable enhancements the BM59 had over the M1A was a better magazine that was faster and easier to do reloads with and unlike the M1A or Garand the clip latch functions as a bolt catch and release making reloads even faster. In my humble opinion the BM59 is everything the M1A wished it could be! To better understand this BM59 Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.