Someone who knows will be along shortly. Welcome to the forum.

 

You have a very nice Winchester M1 Carbine. I'd have to see the stamps on ALL of the parts, but the good news for you is that from your pictures you have an un-touched (non-rebuild) authentic Winchester M1 Carbine. I've misplaced my Winchester Dates of Manufacture hand book, but I'm thinking yours is 1942/1943.

Nearly each and every M1 Carbine that was issued for service in WW2 went thru a rebuild process. During that process, they were torn down into little pieces and rebuilt with then-current spec parts. Yours still sports the early flip-type rear sight, push button safety, flat bolt and the barrel band without the later bayonet lug. Going on that alone, I'd say things look really good for you.

I am not a Winchester M1 Carbine collector. From what I've learned over the past 50 years that I've owned and fired .30 Carbines, to those who collect them prefer the Winchester made Carbines to most of the others. Those who collect them have very deep pockets. If yours was just a 'shooter' or a 'mix-master' (arsenal rebuilt Winchester) I'd hazard a guess of $650 to $750. If all of your rifle is original Winchester and original to the rifle, I'd expect you could easily double that. If I were you, I'd buy a Collector's book on .30 M1 Carbines and go thru it to study the markings. You seem to have a dandy there. Hope the interior of the carbine matches the exterior in condition.

Just for grins and giggles - the .30 Carbine was never loaded with corrosive primed ammunition. The .30M2 (BAR, Garand and Springfield ammo) and ammo for the .45 ACP were loaded with mercuric primers - but the Carbine's small rifle primers were non-corrosive from the start. I can't recall the reference that I learned this from, but I clearly remember learning this. So don't bet anything on it - I can't back it up. Just a bit of trivia.

 

Jim Brady has given you some good advice and asked some good questions. Close up pics of all the marked parts will be needed to get an real estimate. A close up of the stock at the ejection port would help a lot. I will disagree with his valuation though. With what can be seen, unless there's a nasty surprise. I think you're closer to four figures there. Winchesters sell for a premium and any old mixmaster common manufacturer goes for $650-700 these days. If it's got anything special going for it...original barrel with good readings, original stock, if that flip sight is original, etc. You're over $1500 at auction.

 

I appreciate y'all taking the time to look it over. I can get more pics tomorrow. Is there anymore places that I would need to take pics. Thanks again

 

More pics

 

A few of the places to look are on the recess on the left side of the stock where the sling is - there should be a "w' stamped there. The markings are also on the under side of the bolt protrusion (that the operating handle rides on), the rear sight (I think it should have a 'w') and the trigger guard should also be stamped. I'm not certain, but I think the barrel should have a flaming bomb, and either 'Winchester' or a 'w' and the date located on top of the barrel behind the front sight. I'm not positive - that's why I suggested a collector's book. There are other marks, but this is just what I can come up with off the top of my head.

You might be able to find a collector's book in your local library. This is part of the fun and enjoyment of having firearms like this - you get to know a lot about them and history.

 

Looking at it again. There is a w stamped on the barrel and a w stamped by the trigger guard at the mag well.

 

Are you able to disassemble the rifle? Close up pictures of the markings on the trigger group and other internals will be needed. The barrel should be w and the trigger guard as well. So far your rifle looks pretty darn good, hopefully not "too good". I am not an expert, just an enthusiast. You can find plenty of experts here;
http://forums.thecmp.org/

 

Took it apart for more pics..

 

So far everything looks correct to me. Again, there are those who specialize in Winchester M1 Carbines, and printed references are available. I'd question the stamp on the flip sight - but it could very well be correct for your Carbine. The stamps on the barrel, trigger housing and on the mag release look good to me. One part that was sometimes swapped out during barracks cleaning sessions was the bolt itself. You should find a "w" on the flat lug of the bolt that rides in the operating handle (I also have a Winchester Carbine, but my flat bolt is stamped 'u' for Underwood).

This is my LAST chirp - GET A REFERENCE MANUAL.

 

Thanks Jim and CC for all the info., it has been real helpful.

 

BTW Jim, I removed my bolt and it was stamped "W". Thanks again for all the info. Any specific books that y'all would recommend?

 

This is a bit off topic, but... My father was an infantry officer during WW2, and I have his army files. He was given the choice of being issued an M1 carbine or a .45 pistol. He took the pistol. Good choice, Dad.

 

I have 4 of those, but only 1 Winchester. From what I can see you have an excellent piece. You have a high wood I cut stock with a good stamp. If there are no import marks then I would guess $1500.00 or more.
Import marks will detract from the value. There are soooooo many variables to those guns since most were disassembled, updated, reissued.

 

The gun looks very good from the pictures. You need a good book and to check every part. If all is good 2000 is realistic number and maybe more. Untouched original M-1 carbines are very hard to find. Winchester is not the rarest maker but it is highly desired.

 

Whatever you do, do NOT refinish the stock or try to "restore" it. It will kill the value.