Garage sale M1 carbine questions w/more pics

clays

With over 40yrs of gun collecting, this is my first M1 carbine. I went to an estate garage sale and purchased 15 guns of which this was one. Never owning an M1 I have no idea what (if anything) it is or worth. So I ask for you guys help. As always I have taken several pictures and if there is a specific one needed please ask. The bayonet was also included with the gun along with a wood crate of ammo on stripper clips in bandoleers. On the front of the barrel is the General Motors name and dated 1-44. The serial # is visible behind the rear sight, but the name is completely covered.

Thanks to all who have offered information and your thoughts about the gun. It is the only M1 in the lot I purchased. Unfortunately this gun and many of the others have rust on them. They have spent the last 20 ~ 30 yrs untouched in a garage. The owner worked for Olin Chemical and obtained several Winchesters thru his employment. Sad to say that a matched pair of Super X Custom shotguns, (Skeet & Trap), still in original box never assembled have rust also.
All of the 30 cal ammo is the same as pictured in bandoleers. I included a picture of the bullet inserted into the muzzle of the rifle also. Seems everyone I talk to is interested in purchasing this gun and bayonet. I have no intentions of ever firing it so I will need to try and find a fair value for it.

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rufe-snow

My reference shows Quality Hardware, as the manufacturer. They made 360,000 carbines for the U.S. military between 1942 & 1944.

gary wray

NICE! These little gems are getting harder and harder to find at the right price. And you bought 15 guns!! WOW! If they are as nice as this little guy (which I think you will love...great shooters) you did fine. And with the Imperial M4 bayo/sheath you have quite a nice little outfit. Great job....but wonder why you waited forty years to get one of the best little weapons ever made? It looks to me from your excellent photos that it has not been "bubba'ed" up at all and it still has its rack #! Great find! I would have it checked out for headspace by a gunsmith before I took it out to shoot but it certainly looks super!

Laredo Lefty

The bayonet alone is probably worth $100. Too bad the Carbine has so much rust on it, but it might be cleanable. The stock is Standard Products and in good shape with the original cartouches. How many of the 15 guns are Carbines?

nmyers

I can't tell if that's rust, or bad lighting, or just dried grease. Did you clean it yet? Can you take some pics in "white" light?

Also, you want to use a "poor man's muzzle wear" gauge to check the bore. Stick a single round of USGI M2 ball point first in the muzzle & measure how much copper jacket still shows.

The stock alone is worth > $200.

USGI carbine ammo is almost impossible to find. Let us see what it looks like, count it, & let us see the headstamp.

Neal

EDIT: Too bad about the rust. The ammo is worth .50/round. Based on your photo, the barrel appears to have a MW = .5, which is practically new, a real plus as USGI replacement barrels are impossible to find. I would expect the carbine to sell in the $500-600 range; without rust, it would bring $200 more IMHO.