WTK - info and value of M-1 carbine.

rambo rebel

July 17, 2003 16:12

I looked at one and it has the stamp alpine under the sight and I've never heard of that maker - any info on it would be apprciated. the price is $350 - how reasonable is that? theres $50 worth of ammo that goes with it.

email - gichaeljor@charter.net thanks - RR

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  p3skyking

  July 17, 2003 17:53

  Alpine is the name of the importer. Fifty dollars worth of ammo with the rifle soumds like an okay deal if you just want a parts resevoir or a shooter.

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  mark christian

  July 17, 2003 17:59

  Alpine Arms was based in Los Angeles, CA and was owned by a fellow named John Arnold who was a machinegun dealer (yes we have them) here. Mr. Arnold was rather famous for his battle with the BATF over his semi automatic G1 FAL-- but this is another story, although one of my all time gun business favorites!Alpine Arms (also called Alpine Industries for a time), produced around 18,000 M1 carbines for civilian sales and at least a few for offshore military sales; mostly to Asia where the carbine was very popular. Alpine was active from around 1961 to 1965 when they were purchased outright by National Ordnance of South El Monte, CA, which Mr. Arnold also had a business alliance with.
  
  The rifles themselves are a mixed bag; most used investment cast recievers while others are known to have used DEMILLED GI receivers which were rewelded. Most of the parts used were GI surplus and will fully interchange with the US M1 Carbines. My opinion on rewelded receivers is to avoid them as they are simply too unpredictable and may fail at any time. The Alpine rifles using the cast receivers have had no problems which I was ever made aware of. Putting a price on these "knock off" carbines is difficult since they have no collectors value and are simply suitable for use as shooters. In very good condition I suppose $350 is a fair price and as Alpine is a rather hard to find maker, it might be interesting to have the rifle simply as an example of the Alpine brand. I'd purchase the Alpine ahead of a Universal or Iver Johnson carbine if there was any choice in the matter.
  
  Mark T. Christian

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