M1 Carbine questions
I'm just starting my search for a decent M1 carbine. I am expanding my somewhat small WWII collection and this is a missing peace. I know a little bit about what I should be searching for, but only enough to be dangerous. I do realize that I would probably have to spend WAY over my budget to have a true "collectable". My budget is to stay under a grand, but to get the best possible "bang for my buck". I know that Rockola & Winchester are probably the most sought after of the variety of producers, with probably Saginaw & IBM in the middle and Inland bringing up the rear (at least that is my understanding as far as desired manufacturers). I know there is a couple of other manufactures which I did not include, but they are probably in the middle with IBM. I also realize that Universal was not a government contractor and was late 60's production. I also realize that Plainfeild was a post war production manufacturer and used mainly (if not all) military parts.
Anyway, please confirm my understanding on items to look for when looking at potential carbines for my purchase. I do know that I should look for a stock which has a cartouche on the right hand side of the butt. I do know that it would probably be better to have a date stamped barrel. I also know that the earlier carbines had a non-adjustable flip-up rear sight. I know that for some carbines, an import mark will be visible on the underside (if I'm not mistaken) side of the barrel. Obviously, one without the import mark would be better.
Aside from these (possible) known facts, I am at a loss for what direction to go. I realize the vast majority of carbines which I may encounter on the market today will most likely have been refurbished in some manner or another. What I would like to know is; Am I correct in the "known facts" I mentioned previously? Also, would a parkerized finish be original or a refurbish? I think refurbished, but I'm not sure. I think (?) that the original finish metal would have a darker almost dull bluing finish. Am I correct on this?
Anyway, I know this is a DEEP subject, but I would love to hear opinions based on what I have stated above. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I can take it, and want to know the truth so I can make a wise decision on my next purchase.
Any other opinions???
Thanks in advance,
Aaron
Anyway, please confirm my understanding on items to look for when looking at potential carbines for my purchase. I do know that I should look for a stock which has a cartouche on the right hand side of the butt. I do know that it would probably be better to have a date stamped barrel. I also know that the earlier carbines had a non-adjustable flip-up rear sight. I know that for some carbines, an import mark will be visible on the underside (if I'm not mistaken) side of the barrel. Obviously, one without the import mark would be better.
Aside from these (possible) known facts, I am at a loss for what direction to go. I realize the vast majority of carbines which I may encounter on the market today will most likely have been refurbished in some manner or another. What I would like to know is; Am I correct in the "known facts" I mentioned previously? Also, would a parkerized finish be original or a refurbish? I think refurbished, but I'm not sure. I think (?) that the original finish metal would have a darker almost dull bluing finish. Am I correct on this?
Anyway, I know this is a DEEP subject, but I would love to hear opinions based on what I have stated above. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I can take it, and want to know the truth so I can make a wise decision on my next purchase.
Any other opinions???
Thanks in advance,
Aaron
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The local dealer just got in a M1 carbine, with flip rear sight, no bayonet lug, the barrel is marked MARLIN, there is a CAI import mark on bottom of barrel, the receiver is a National Postal Meter and it wears what looks like an authentic paratrooper stock. I thought that only Inland made the paratrooper style carbines? I will get some photos of it today as well as the serial number. The store is asking $999 for it, seems to be a little high from what limited knowledge I have on carbines. I will post more info after work today, thanks! 0 -
Inlands had mostly Inland-made parts, and it sounds like yours may have had parts replaced, or was possibly arsenal rebuilt. It sounds like the barrel may be original. Without knowing if the finish is original or a repark, I can't say yet whether or not it is worth restoring to "as issued", or whether it should be restored to "arsenal rebuilt".
I suggest that you buy a copy of Craig Riesch's "US M1 Carbines Wartime Production"; there are just too many parts that need to be identified, and it would be impossible to do on this forum. I think they have it at www.gunshowbooks.com.
I am a little concerned that your carbine has a disconnector. This is one of several parts that would be found only on an M2 carbine (select fire). If your carbine has ALL of the select-fire parts, then you would be in possession of any unregistered machine gun, which is considered a no-no. So, it would be wise to remove and destroy any specific M2 carbine parts.
Oh, as far as highwood goes, look at the right side of the stock where there is a cutout on the handguard to clear the op rod. If the stock has a corresponding cutout at the same place, it is lowwood; otherwise, it is highwood.
Neal
Edited by - nmyers on 12/11/2002 18:23:490 -
when i was in the army back in the 50's it was common practice for the gang to spread a blanket on the floor and clean our [guns] as a team one cleaned trigger groups another barrels ect. then we assembled the guns out of the pile. you would wind up with the right barreled action because of the sn# but the rest of the parts were different each time. [thats what they were designed to be interchangable.] we all fired expert at the range so this is one person who dont put much stock in matching numbers or parts as long as the gun functions properly and puts them where you aim.
uncle milo0 -
Neal Myers knows his carbines better than I do- I'm a Garand man- but I can tell you that your carbine is not correct with a bayonet lug. No Inlands were made with the later type C band with lug until around 6.7 million and even then not all had it- one of my carbines is in that range, is as issued, and has no lug. You should also have the flip up rear sight (called the leaf type and correct below around 5 million). If you have the later adjustable rear sight it is often staked in place and removing it without leaving the tell tale marks on the receiver is nearly impossible. There are many other parts to check over and I suggest you follow Neal's suggestion and obtain a good book...or three!
I may be mistaken but I believe Inland manufactured on about 1/2 a dozen carbine components themselves and sub contracted everything else. This is why carbine collecting is so much of a hassel: It is very hard to ever determine which parts are really correct as the various manufacturers traded parts around among themselves quite freely. WWII Garand collecting is a snap by comparison- Winchesters used Winchester parts and SA used SA parts- no mixing or swapping allowed...until someone can prove otherwise and that has yet to happen.
Mark T. Christian
Edited by - mark christian on 12/11/2002 22:01:240 -
sorry NM- Sear is marked RIA not disconnector.... In any case Should my rifle have low wood? as it is a relatively early rifle? and from MARK C's advise no bayonet lug.... In any case, the finnish is a dull gray-green park. But rifle does have a staked in place adjustable rear sight.
thanks rich
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