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M1A1 Pawnshop

jsulinjsulin Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
edited November 2007 in Ask the Experts
I found a M1A1 at a pawnshop and was hoping for some info and get you opinions if its worth it.here is what I know of the gun.It does have the folding stock.I t has Inland and the serial 663xxx serial on the reciever.the barrel has underwood stamped on it.Other than that its pretty good.he is asking $640 for it.Good deal?Thanks for your help guys.First time poster.

Justus
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Comments

  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It may be a great bargain..........or an overpriced piece of junk. Without photos, we can't begin to guess.

    All that I can tell you from the information you provided is that it is not an original M1A1 (serial number is from the first Inland batch of regular M1 carbines), & Inland only used Inland barrels.

    Neal

    EDIT: My mistake, the serial number COULD be in the range for an M1 carbine. But, everything else is up in the air. All the comments from the other guys are good. But, the only difference between an M1 carbine & an M1A1 is the stock, so many were switched. What you saw could be ANYTHING; without seeing photos, all we can do is guess. No, we can't tell if it is the real thing from your description. There aren't that many pawnshop owners ignorant enough to sell a gun for $1,000 less than it is worth, so my money says it is a worn out Blue Sky import in a commercial repro stock.

    Neal
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  • jsulinjsulin Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Neal, By the serial you can tell that it is not an original m1a1?So someone just put a folding stock on a regular carbine?I figured someone put a diferent barrel in but still hoped it was still worth it.So with that info you think its not worth it?Thanks again for all the help.
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  • ww2buff9067ww2buff9067 Member Posts: 472 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In referencing Larry Ruth and Scott Duff's book The M1 Carbine Owner's Guide, it appears that the approximate date of manufacture of the rifle was late August or early September of 1943. It does not say if this was an M1A1 or not. It's possible that the rifle may have been rebarreled after the war during arsenal rebuild, maybe not. That would explain the Underwood barrel on the Inland receiver. It's also possible that there may have been some Underwood barrels put on Inland Receivers initially, as it appears there was a good deal of parts sharing between carbine manufacturers during the war years. Hope this helps,

    Mike
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  • jsulinjsulin Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    How would you know if the gun is an original m1a1?I would love to have one and this one is in my price range.the barrel dont bother me a whole lot but if its just a carbine with the folding stock I dont think its worth it?what do you think?Thanks for helping gain some knowledge on these guns.


    Justus
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  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The folding stocks are reproduced, some easy to spot, some are not. Close up photos of the leather cheek piece, the rivets, and the number on the buttplate are needed to acertain originality. Cartouches and proofs in the wood mean nothing as they are duplicated also.
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  • ammo guyammo guy Member Posts: 810 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Where is the # on the butt plate?
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You have to remember it's hard to find a carbine that has'nt been rebuilt at least once. Finding a original costs big $$$$$, at least they are asking that.
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  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ammo guy
    Where is the # on the butt plate?


    It's cast into the buttplate, not stamped. It also has a circular star next to it, also cast, NEVER STAMPED.
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  • ww2buff9067ww2buff9067 Member Posts: 472 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it's ORIGINAL ORIGINAL it will have the flip-type rear sight and no bayonet lug on the front band. If it's like this, quietly pay for the rifle, run home and shout for joy!! Otherwise it's either been through rebuild or is a copy.
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  • jsulinjsulin Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank You All for the help and info.I am going to the pawnshop and see now with the info y'all gave me to uncover some more history.Thanks again
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