In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
M1 Carbine no import markings?
shilowar
Member Posts: 38,815 ✭✭✭
Friday I won a Saginaw M1 Carbine on the auction side.
My question is, the seller says it has no import marks, so would that likely mean it came thru CMP at one point before entering private hands?
Also the stock appears to be a replacement, very nice condition with a WB stamp on the left side, no other visible markings. Is WB Winchester? Thanks
My question is, the seller says it has no import marks, so would that likely mean it came thru CMP at one point before entering private hands?
Also the stock appears to be a replacement, very nice condition with a WB stamp on the left side, no other visible markings. Is WB Winchester? Thanks
Comments
hands with no paperwork involved.
Thousands of carbines were stolen from the government prior to their sale by DCM & CMP, but there is no way we (or the government) can identify them.
Have you removed the action from the wood? Some imports have the markings on the receiver below the wood line.
Most carbines have the import markings on the barrel. However, it is legal to remove them, & some folks have done that. Plus, many barrels have been replaced.
Winchester stocks usually are unmarked, or are stamped W. They will also have a proof P on the handgrip, & a WRA/GHD cartouche. It's likely you have a USGI replacement stock; photos would help identify it. If there is no proof P on the handgrip, it was not installed at a US arsenal.
Neal
EDIT: I don't think that Mr Shilowar had any illusions that he was buying an original carbine. Repairs & replacement of parts were performed at different levels of ordnance; I would just call this carbine "rebuilt", & leave it at that. But, the original metal finish on the barrel & receiver, plus the original flip sight, lead me to believe that it never went through a complete arsenal rebuild. The "I" sling cut is only found on early original walnut stocks; this one has been sanded, as often happened. It's a nice looking gun, & I think he will be happy with it.
stamp. Sometimes the cartouches don't imprint well on rounded stocks
and only a partial mark is visible. Also check in the slingwell
and under the hanguard, should find the manufacture's letters there.
During the 60's 300,000 carbines were sold by the DCM to the NRA as
shooters, and some ended up in commercial outlets at the time. I was
told they sold for $75.00 by the old timers at the gun club.
Good luck with your Carbine, you can always keep an eye out for
correct replacement parts, including stocks.
If you want to know for certain if it came from CMP you can check with them. They can verify by serial number what's come through their operation, although I do not know how far back their current records go.
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
M1 Carbines that have been through a US based armory after their return from WWII for upgrades will have a bayonet lug and the "M" stamped on the magazine release lever.
The bayonet lug was an upgrade by the U.S. armories on rifles that were returned during the latter days of WWII and prior to reissue for the Korean War.
The "M" on the mag release was an upgrade to prevent the 30 round mags from falling out due to the added weight.
If either of these upgrades are present the Carbine most likely was upgraded in the U.S. and later sold into civilian use.
I have two I picked up in 1978. This will hurt ya. Bought the two and 1000 rounds of Korean ball ammo for $250.00 total.
Any "imported" M1 Carbine must have the importer's name stamped in a visible location somewhere on the barrel or receiver.
If you find an M1 Carbine without the modifications (no bayonet lug)and no import marks the value would sky rocket.
The link below will provide an amazing amount of info and history about the M1 Carbine.
http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/manufacturers.html
Spend a rainy day taking it apart and figuring out where all the parts came from and marvel at the fact that so many different manufacturers were able to produce a rifle whose parts would interchange no matter the manufacturer.