Does anybody feel like helping a firearms neophyte understand the M1 Carbine I have? I did a serial number search on another site (1247220) and it implied Winchester, also the rifle seems pretty original and may even have been used my grandfather in the war, not sure, I inherited it and will sell it if the value is there
Are these photos sufficient to have a discussion? As I said I am a neophyte and have never been on any sort of forum before, so just figuring out how to post photos took me 5 minutes.
Anthony, on the rear of the frame, under/near the rear sight should be the manufacturer and serial number. You seem to have found the number...look under the rear sight for the maker.
All decent M-1 Carbines have a nice value today and Winchesters are near the top of the pile.
Good luck in your search!!
So here is the trial number, 1247220, but no manufacturer. I would just take it to a gun dealer but that would be like bringing a knife to a gunfight (pun intended), not knowing what I have here.
Winchester M1 Carbines are very collectable. Original Winchesters even more so. Get yourself a book on them. All of the original Winchester carbine's parts are stamped. That is just about everything to include even the stock.
I cannot see enough detail to really say much about yours - except that the rear sight is a late issue sight. The earlier ones were the simple "flip-up" style. It also looks as if the stock has been sanded and refinished. Most of the late issues and Arsenal refurbished Carbines ended up with the late style bayonet lug, and yours is the earlier version without it.
A quick look into the recess for the sling on the right rear of the stock will tell you if the stock is Winchester or not. There should be a small "W" stamped in it. There should also be a "W" stamped on the underside of the bolt on the underside of the bolt lug. I cannot clearly tell if it is a round bolt or a flat bolt - it should be a flat bolt if it is an early Winchester. That "W" should also be stamped on the flip safety and on the trigger guard. Due to the late style rear sight - it is impossible to read the Marker's Mark without removing the rear sight.
Again, a Winchester M1 Carbine Collector's book will help you lots here. Most M1 Carbines are either made up from mixed parts, or they were "put back together" in the past few decades.
I did a search with the serial number and it does seem that it was made by Winchester. Here is a link to a pretty good site about M1 Carbine with a good bit of information: http://uscarbinecal30m1.com/Default.aspx
The manufactures name is going to be above the serial number UNDER THE REAR SIGHT. You might be able to see it by using a flashlight and looking under the sight from the side. You should be able to see enough of it to make out who it is.
Can't help on details of your M1 carbine. I would advise you take your time getting this sorted out. I would also take time to consider if you really want to sale a gun with family history.
I appreciate your comment and I am the family caretaker of memorabilia but I don't have a gun safe and actually have been storing this in a friends safe. this probably won't endear me to this thread but I have a fatal illness and I'm looking to liquidate as much as possible before the clock runs out. Not looking for sympathy, I have had an extraordinary life.
Thank you Jim for the info, based on what you said and what I can see looking at the rifle, I think you are correct about it being put back together, the sight is marked JAO 7160060, there is an M on the magazine release and the marking on the underside of the safety is so tiny that my old diabetic eyes can't read it, maybe W, maybe SS. There is no marking on the stock that I can find, nor the barrel but then again until you told me specifically where to look, I didn't see the other markings either. I'm not going to take it apart to find other markings because I wouldn't get it back together again (probably) correctly. There is marking J.M.O on the band that holds the barrel and lower stock together, not sure of the proper name of this component. I can't offer any opinion at all as to any of the other things you said. I won't buy a book, thats more effort that I am interested in because as I said, I have no experience in the subject matter, and no interest in becoming an expert.
ALL carbines are put together. Just like a Garand, that was the intention. Through time, investigation and study you can figure out how many parts on this one "could" be the part it originally came with.
One of the biggest issues to resolve is if this one is import marked. There's quite a few different ones it could be, but the most common will be Blue Sky. If it is you should see that stamped or electro-penciled on the barrel or possibly the forward part of the receiver. It will be clear that it's a newer marking than any others.
If this Winchester carbine is not import marked, unless it has major damage is worst case worth $800-$1000 in today's market. Move that up to $1k-$1500 if it's Winchester barreled and/or has some rare internals.
An early high cut stock would help the value a lot too, a better picture side on of the right side by the slide would help. Looking quickly though, I don't think the stock is going to be a help to the value. Even an import marked Winchester carbine has value. $500-$750 ish without major issues.
Did you read the link that you quoted? Start a new thread with pictures, as goofy mentioned.
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