Rock-ola .30 cal carbine
I have one sitting in a gun safe that was a hand-me-down from the grandad when he died, in excelent condition looks as though it's hardly been fired and seems to work and function just great but I've never personally fired it, just can't quite bring myself to pull it out and try it after he died but I was wondering what the actual market value on them is these days, I know what the blue books say but often is the case people don't pay blue book prices. I do not intend to sell it, so don't ask [:D] I am just curious. I would say it's near 90% condition or damn close to it. It's stamped with "Property of U.S. Army" on the gun as well as the mags with it.
Also have his other rifle, it's an old springfield armory U.S. Army Issued (WWI??) 30-40 craig, not sure about all the specifics on it but it's a huge rifle and heavy as hell, almost as tall as I am, anybody know anything about these as well mabye?
Also have his other rifle, it's an old springfield armory U.S. Army Issued (WWI??) 30-40 craig, not sure about all the specifics on it but it's a huge rifle and heavy as hell, almost as tall as I am, anybody know anything about these as well mabye?
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rldowns3,
You are lucky person, you grandfather left you a piece of history. With a quick search your Rockola M1 carbine is valued between $925.00 and $975.00.
Depending on the condition, and if you have a U.S. Model 1898 Krag-Jorgensen Military Rifle, it could be in the $1000.00 ballpark depending on condition.
Cheerish and keep them in the family.
B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze0 -
Thanks, Abn. All I can personally tell you about the rifles is that the grandad brought home the rockola when he left the service in 1945 and that the Springfield rifle was owned by his father and brought home when he left the service, now I guess I'm next in line hehe. The Rock-ola is in great shape, I never got the opportunity to ask him or even thought about it when he was still alive whether it was actually issued or not if he got it new (surplus) from the Army, I know it wasn't his issued firearm because he carried a M1941 Johnson (I really wish I had one of them [:)]) and the Springfield isn't in what I would say immaculate condition but it's definately functional, most of the blueing is still on it but with obvious battle wear and the stock is still in functional condition but has it's typical battle scars as any rifle that's been through war would. But it still shoots and I can say when you wanna reach out and touch a cadillac or ford that springfield packs one hell of a wallop, as I shot an old 56 buick with it once and it passed clean through both sides of the car at a couple hundred yards. It's a good shoulder bruiser too. [8D] 0 -
The value of the carbine depends on how much of it is original. It may be worth as much as airborne said, or it may be worth as little as $500. You need to have an expert look at it, or buy a book to identify the parts. I'm curious about the "US Property" markings on the gun and mag, as I've never seen them before; most likely they were added by some lower level armorer. That may or may not detract from the value.
On discharge at the end of WWII, all soldiers were required to turn in all US issued guns; foreign-made guns could be declared and kept. They were not permitted to keep issued guns, nor could they buy them. Thousands of carbines and pistols were stolen anyway, but, with the passage of time, the US Govt is no longer interested in recovering them or prosecuting those who took them. So, enjoy.
Neal0 -
nmyers;
As far as I can tell, without actually tearing the gun apart piece by piece, it seems all origional and matching. Like I said, the gun barely looks used. It looks as though it was probably kept in an armory or something for a while and didn't see much use. I'm pretty sure it wasn't my grandads army issued weapon because according to him and pictures taken the gun he used the most was what he called the "johnny gun" which looked in pictures to be a M1941 Johnson gun and more towards the end of the war I know he carried a thompson. But, reguardless my grandmother said he came home with that carbine and 2 or 3 german lugers and some small .32 cal pocket pistol which we can't seem to find anywhere. I think the pocket pistol had the name "Unique" stamped on it is how I remember it, I saw it as a teen and couldn't say for sure lol. But, back to what I was saying, I don't know how he came across the carbine just that according to grandma, it came home in his duffelbag along with those pistols.0 -
ridowns3;
You have two very collectavle military rifles. The Rock-Ola Corp. built carbines, and Garands. In the condition you discribe your carbine would fetch between 900 and 1000 dollars.
The 30-40 Krag is a fine rifle. They are a bit unconventional with the magazine placement, but fine shooters. Ammo is still fairly easy to get at most gun shops. In like condition as the carbine, it would fetch between 1000 and 1100 dollars. If his issue rifle was a Johnson, it was one of a very few, the Johnson failed acceptance trials to the M-1 Garand, Some Johnsons found there way to National Gaurd Units, and a very few to Regular Army. Look at the picture closely, You may find this rifle was a .30 cal. BAR. The unique pistol you refer to was issued to Army airmen for a time, and are now very rare. As far as how he came by the ones he brought home,welllllll, let us say, they were spirited away or picked up from one of the gun spirits getting out. It was a common practice, And collection personnel turned a blind eye in a lot of cases. Some units, where actually allowed to keep thier issue rifles. At any rate,dust them off, grab some ammo and enjoy. In the condition you discribe it wont hurt them.0 -
Rldowns3,post a complete description of the Krag including all the markings on the receiver and stock and I can probably give you a realistic value on your rifle. A picture would really help. Some Krag's are worth $1000-$1100 even more,but by far most are worth in the $500-$700 range. IF the rifle has been changed or "sporterized" in any way the price will be even less. 0 -
Iroquois Scout: I don't have a camera or I would post pics but the Krag like I said is nowhere near great condition but is still fully functional, it has a metal non-detachable box mag that sticks out of the side of the gun that flips open. The gun has definately seen battle and looks as though it may have even blocked a few swings of a sabre or bayonet as there is a gash on the stock that was appearantly made by a sharp object just foward of where you would place your hand on the fore end. It has it's battle scars that's for sure, as soon as I can get into the old mans gun safes where it's been stored for the last 35 years in his gun shop I'll dig it out and look at all the markings. But this rifle has never ever been modified from the condition it came home in. And it is one long ass rifle heh.
Python: I know pretty much for fact his issued gun between 1941 and 43 was a Johnson. The pics were pretty good and the johnson was pretty unmistakeable. He served with The 214th an Anti-aircraft and costal artillery unit until he volunteered for the U.S. First Special Service Force in July 1942. I believe that's when shortly afterwards when he had stopped carrying a Johnson and got switched to a Thompson. Unfortunately the Thompson didn't make it home[:p].0 -
I am not a M1 Carbine expert by any means, but does both the receiver and the barrel say Rock Ola? About 12 years ago, my local Woolworths was selling surplus rifles. They had a whole bunch of Import carbines for sale. I picked out a Rock Ola, more for the juke box connection than value. Upon closer inspection at home, I found it had a Quality Hardware receiver with a Rock Ola barrel. As I understand it, Quality Hardware only made receivers and bought all of their barrels from Rock Ola which are marked with their name. Mine is an import carbine, so it does not matter much to the value. It would make a difference to yours. 0 -
Off the immediate subject here, but...
quote:Originally posted by GHS
About 12 years ago, my local Woolworths was selling surplus rifles. They had a whole bunch of Import carbines for sale.
Twelve years ago was 1990. Are you sure you have your dates right GHS? When did Woolworths go bankrupt?0 -
GHS, I haven't had the opportunity yet to retrieve the rifle from the gun safe at my old mans shop but I will make a much closer inspection when possible on the barrel and reciever. 0
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