[Imgragael]

I know its been a bit since I posted my happiness about getting my M1. but now I have other questions regarding it and its value. And this may be in the wrong thread and I am sorry.

First question, how can you tell the difference between a modern reproduction folding stock and a genuine folding stock? The stock I currently have has no visible markings except on the butt plate which has a "M" in the casting.

other question, with a late model "2-44" inland carbine, did they come with a flat bolt or round bolt. the bolt on my rifle is flat and has an "X" on the section where it goes into the charging handle. Charging handle has a "G" with "AOB" stamped in it and looks to be machined instead of forged. The stock has the Springfield arms stamp in it as well as a couple other ID type stamps in the grip part of the stock.

the Barrel is inland serial# 641xxxx with some markings on the flat spot near the piston. As far as I can tell the numbers and letters there are a mess, but the ones I can read are Y 816 FK (elongated top)S 3P. I dont see any import stamps on this anywhere as well.

The upper handguard has only two rivets for the metal, unlike the 4 rivets I have seen elsewhere, not sure if that makes a difference.

When I bought it from the gun store, it came with the normal stock, folding stock. 4x 30 rnd mags as well as a 15, and the pouch for the 30 rnds, sling and oiler. There was some minor rust under the bayonette lug but that was mostly cosmetic and some cleaner and a rag got most of that taken care of.

Since I am not a collector, barely an enthusiast, any idea what I am holding in terms of value? Other than a piece of history? Thanks for any input.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tcBiBGG7YnRo2sFem7QNUQ?feat=directlink

 

[Imgragael]

hrm... must be a slow day. or I am in the way wrong forum.

 

[ScottG]

Nope, you're in the right forum. I have one, but not with a folding stock and I really haven't investigated what the specifics of a late war carbine were. Can't help you with your questions. Somebody should though.

Of course you could ask someone on the CMP's forum.... Just research or join and post the question there....

This suggestion will self destruct in ten seconds....

 

[lambo35]

First, you probably did alright on the purchase price, maybe you bought it a little too soon.

The folding stock is a recent production, probably made in Italy, not G.I.
An original folder will mave much more weathered leather, different rivets, an IO in the op-slide cut out, a circle P on the pistol grip and the buttplate will have a positive cast number and symbol on the inside. There are also some other small differences to look for.

Your Inland was probably produced in the first quarter of 1945, so its 2/44 barrel was placed on at a later rebuild, or by someone else. The AOB on the op-slide means that it was originally on an IBM carbine. The bolt should have a mark on the left lug which should indicate who produced it. Originally, all bolts were blued. The switch to round bolts started in the first quarter of 1944. Yours may have had an original flat bolt, it is not uncommon to have earlier parts on a later carbine. The type-3 rear sight could be original to the receiver. Your carbine looks to have the same color to its finish, which indicates a refinishing, along with some piting under the newer finish.
Most of the parts on carbines have letters stamped on them to indicate for whom they were intended.The RA-? on the bottom of the pistol shows that at one time the stock was part of an arsenal rebuild at Rairtin Arsenal. The letter after the hyphen is for the final inspector at Rairtin. It can be a lot of fun to dis-assemble the rifle to determine the particular mixture of sub-contractors who produced these great little rifles.

I hope this has helped. But beware, these are very addictive, now you will want to obtain one [at least] of each of the ten receiver contractors.
Enjoy, Chuck.

 

[Imgragael]

Lambo, Thank you for your research into my rifle.

Knowing its a 'spare-parts' rifle doesnt make me any less unhappy, she still shoots very straight (iron sight, 100yards hitting paper (no bullseyes though) on a target made 25yards), and is marking on a 30-06 round around and 3/16inch (which I think is good, might be wrong) from the casing.

I think it would be cool to try to find a reciever from the same date as the barrel, and the slide... but that is for a later time if I can.

Again. thanks Lambo.


btw. where did you find the info out? I did try searching online quite a bit, but with the thousands of 'junk' pages that pull up, its hard to filter thru the crap to find a gem. Any links would be cool.

 

[lambo35]

Imgragael,You are very welcome. There are several very good books on the M1 carbine. You might Google, or check Amazon.com for the following authors: Larry Ruth, Bruce Canfield, Jim Thompson, Craig Reisch [not sure of the correct spelling on the last one], and Scott Duff. There are others, but I'm not at home right now.
The majority of the carbines out there are parts rifles, meaning they have gone through a rebuild at some point and are not in the configuration they were when they were first assembled. Yours may be in the configuration that is was when it left Rairitan Arsenal. They may have put the earlier barrel on the receiver at that time. The refinishing does not look like an arsenal job, but, that is ok. Yours is a nice looking carbine, I'm sure you will enjoy shooting it. Also, visit the "Culver Shooting Page" forums and click on the M1 Carbine page, lots of knowledgable folks there who can answer just about any question you will be able to come up with. ScottG's suggestion of visiting the CMP webpage [Civilian Marksmanship Program] is a good one. They also have a forum for the exchange of information between we addicts.
Any time you have questions, feel free to email me.
Regards, Chuck Lamb.