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Were Commercial M1Carbines made w/o serial number?

oldscooterguy
I'm curious if any of the commercially manufactured M1 carbines made before the GCA of 1968 lacked a serial number?

It was a topic of discussion at the range today and I didn't want open my mouth w/o pertinent information, I've known way too many "know-it-alls" that tend to stick their foot in their mouth!

Any info is appreciated.
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5 comments

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  • nmyers
    Every time I use words like "always" or "never", I find I have to eat my words.

    But, I've seen most commercial carbine brands, & all I've seen had serial numbers. By the 1950's, the major US firearms manufacturers & importers were numbering all their guns. If I saw a carbine without an SN, I'd be very surprised.

    Neal

    EDIT: Most "lunch box" guns turn out to be refinished guns with the markings removed. I've never seen a USGI carbine without an SN, probably because the numbers were stamped so deeply. I've seen several presentation USGI carbines, but they always had a short SN consisting of a few letters &/or numbers; they were either kept by the company or given to executives.
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  • Herschel
    Neal, What about all the lunch box guns, prototypes, special made up presentation pieces for the emperors of foreign nations, etc. I have heard all these explanations for guns from which the serial numbers have been removed.
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  • v35
    In the mid '50s a company named Global Arms made at least a few receivers.
    I have a prototype receiver w/o s/n that was never assembled into a rifle or pistol.
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  • oldscooterguy
    I really appreciate your replys! Thank you soo much!
    Anyone one else want to chime in?

    Thanks again for helping me not look like an "Ass"!
    OSG
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  • Emmett Dunham
    http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_NATORD.HTML

    I have read quite a few post about M1 Garands and Carbines that have no serial numbers and almost all were shaved or fakes.
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