M1 Carbine I Inherited

[u2jimbo]

I only have the one Smith & Wesson. Beyond that is my dads Colt .22 Woodsman, my Remington .22 long barreled varmint rifle and my dad's converted, military .30 caliber carbine (it had the folding stock). He made a compact, walnut backpacking stock for it. I still have a bunch of WWII ammo for it.

Do you guys allow Colt and Remington in the door? :0)

 

[DWalt]

"...my dad's converted, military .30 caliber carbine (it had the folding stock). He made a compact, walnut backpacking stock for it. "

You are aware that the original paratrooper folding stocked .30 carbines from WWII hold extreme collector interest? And value? If that's what yours is, I hope he kept the original folding stock.

 

[u2jimbo]

DWalt:

Yes, it was the .30 cal. Paratrooper folding stock carbine. Yes, it was the coolest weapon in the world when I was a boy. And, no, the entire military stock has been lost in time... However, I did see refurbished stocks (including the folding ones) for the .30 cal. on-line while I was researching my .44. It got me wondering if I would want to convert it back to its original form.

I'm guessing from earlier comments, for a collector, they want all the parts and pieces to carry the same ID #s. So a conversion would just be fun and nostalgic.

 

[DWalt]

An original M1A1 stock alone, even if you could find one, would bring somewhere between $1000-$2000 depending upon condition. All of the original M1A1s came from Inland Division, and should have the original two-position rear sight and no bayonet stud. I think all M1A1s were 1944 production, and the barrel should show that. I don't think they can be identified as M1A1s by serial number, as production of receivers was not segregated as to whether they were for M1 or M1A1 use. Someone may have a list of the SN range of known correct M1A1 specimens, but I do not. Without having the complete and original package, a huge portion of the value has been lost. There are lots of reproduction M1A1 folding stocks on the market, but they will not come close to restoring the value of your gun. Too bad - Original M1A1s are quite rare. You might want to do some research on the M1A1.

 

[u2jimbo]

DWalt:

You guys are sure keeping me busy! But, I haven't had this much fun in a long time. I am going out and get my M1 and check it out. I will let you know what I find...

 

[u2jimbo]

DWalt:

Here are 2 shots of the carbine. Stamped right behind the front sight on the barrel is: Inland Mfg. Div. General Motors.

Just forward of the breech and on top of the barrel is stamped:
U.S. Carbine Cal. .30 M1

It appears my dad installed a Williams sliding ramp peep sight on the rear, lateral dovetail mount. There is a stamping under that reading: Inland Div. 749358.

Jim

 

[DWalt]

Unfortunately, without having the original rear sight and folding stock, your .30 Carbine has no special value. It could be restored to the original (or more easily, the post-WWII/Korean War) configuration with the correct furniture and rear sight. Good run-of-the-mill .30 carbines, even with unmatched SNs and parts, are now selling for $800-$1200. In the original WWII configuration, somewhat more than that, approaching $2000 or more for some manufacturers. Those in the original WWII condition are somewhat difficult to find, as after WWII, the Army rebuilt most of them still in service and made multiple updates in the process - sights, stock, safety, and bayonet stud.

 

[Jingles]

That's about the prettiest stock I have ever seen on an M1 Carbine. I've got a '43 National Postal Meter. The laws seem to change from day to day in CA, but IIRC, the original paratrooper stock would be illegal in CA anyway unless you permanently pinned or welded it in the open position.

According to the SN your was made between May '42 and Sept '43.

[EDIT] BTW, you mention the stock is compact. Make sure the OAL is greater than 30" to stay within the law.

 

[Culina]

Cool Carbine, I noticed you are in California. If you put a folding stock on an M1 Carbine thus making it an M1A1, it becomes an "assault weapon" and would be a no go for the state. The only way it could be legal is if your dad registered as an assault weapon in the good old days when our government thought we should be allowed to own such pieces of history.

 

[u2jimbo]

Jingles:

If you like that stock, you would have loved the stock he made for his 30-06 hunting rifle. Like the carbine, he requisitioned a german machine gun and brought the barrel home. He had it reworked into a 30-06 then made the stock for it. It is a very beautiful rifle. Extremely accurate. My brother has that piece. I wish I had gotten more info about the machine gun, etc. but that is all I know. I did get to shoot it a few times, but as a youngster I didn't quite 'get it'. My dad shot a tiger with it in Viet-Nam. He was one of the first 50 military advisers to go over. He was stationed in the Central Highlands. He was training the indigenous indian tribes known as the Degar or Montagnards peoples. There was no active war, yet - I think it was 1960-61. He spot-lighted two tigers in the headlights of his jeep one night coming home from dinner with the owner of tea plantation. He got so excited he grabbed his shotgun first. That shot only scared one of the tigers away, giving him time to collect himself and grab his rifle. When he fired, the other one ran. He had to come back the next morning with his Montagnard indian trackers to try to find a body. They finally found the carcass 300 yards away with a clean shot through the heart! He had many extraordinary hunting adventures, but that was his pinnacle.

Sorry if I got carried away, but these conversations are bringing back big moments in our families history.

 

[u2jimbo]

Kurac:

My dad retired from the Army at Fort Ord, CA. He believed in being a law abiding citizen, so I am guessing he probably did register them after he separated from the Army. I would have to research it to be sure. It's funny, I texted my son about these conversations and he thinks my brother may have the carbine's folding stock. I guess if the parts aren't reassembled I have nothing to fear...Well, with CA there is plenty to fear...but that is for other forums.

 

[u2jimbo]

Jingles:

By the way, I forgot to mention I measured the carbine and it is 36"

 

[Culina]

Kurac:

My dad retired from the Army at Fort Ord, CA. He believed in being a law abiding citizen, so I am guessing he probably did register them after he separated from the Army. I would have to research it to be sure. It's funny, I texted my son about these conversations and he thinks my brother may have the carbine's folding stock. I guess if the parts aren't reassembled I have nothing to fear...Well, with CA there is plenty to fear...but that is for other forums.

Correct, having the stock should be okay as long as its not part of the rifle. The other option is to pin it so it can't fold. Its the folded length that will get you into trouble. If your dad did register it before the end of 1999, "assault weapons" cannot be transferred anyhow unless you are in the movie industry.

 

[rwsmith]

Original or not.....

I'm not a collector and of course original has the most value, but I'd just love to have a .30 carbine even if it was a hodge podge of parts. That's slicker than eel poop.

PS And yes, your Dad's work is beautiful.

 

[steelslaver]

I would leave it just the way it is. Says your dad all over it. My Enfield would be worth much more money all original, but, dad milled the sights off, the trigger replaced, magazine and floor plate reworked and put a sporter stock on it and gave it to me as a gift. Every time I see it I think of him and being in his gun room.

 

[cbore]

great input here. Years ago I picked an original paratrooper folding stock to install on my civilian Universal carbine. I stopped didn't want to alter the inlay. Years later I sold it at a gun show for 3 times what I paid for it. Surprise you what the real value is.

 

[Sconnie]

You have gotten several comments from members complimenting the stock that your dad made and how nice it looks. To me, the collector value on a perfect stock WWII M1 carbine is far less than the value of the fantastic adaptation your father made with his gun that is now yours.

Far more value, to me in what you have versus what it originally started out as. If you want an WWII M1 carbine they are out there. Since I am not into them I can't quote "collector prices" for one I am of the opinion that what you have is a priceless family heirloom. Hopefully you have someone to pass it on to eventually. Just make sure they know the story of how it came to be the beauty that it is now. Just my two cents.

I only wish I could put multiple likes on this:

I would leave it just the way it is. Says your dad all over it. My Enfield would be worth much more money all original, but, dad milled the sights off, the trigger replaced, magazine and floor plate reworked and put a sporter stock on it and gave it to me as a gift. Every time I see it I think of him and being in his gun room.

 

[robertrwalsh]

That state of CA is right now attempting to outlaw all centerfires rifle with removable magazines. Assuming the legislation passes, is signed into law and passes court challenges (which is not a sure thing) you would have to either remove the weapon from the state, destroy it or turn it over to the government without compensation. Same for any ammunition magazine capable of holding more than ten rounds.

 

[u2jimbo]

Jingles:
I had no idea what you were referring to when you mentioned you had a '43 National Postal Meter - I had some strange contraptions rattling around in my imagination! I started reading up on the M1 Carbine last night and discovered that there were many non-weapons manufacturers building these rifles. Some examples sited were IBM - it was the smartest rifle on the battlefield... :0); National Cash Register - the most expensive... :0); Underwood Typewriter... I wonder if it took dictation? Seriously though, it brought home the significance of the war effort to supply the troops. Certainly was "all hands on deck".

 

[Jingles]

That state of CA is right now attempting to outlaw all centerfires rifle with removable magazines. Assuming the legislation passes, is signed into law and passes court challenges (which is not a sure thing) you would have to either remove the weapon from the state, destroy it or turn it over to the government without compensation. Same for any ammunition magazine capable of holding more than ten rounds.

The other option will be to register it to the current owner, similar to what happened when the AWB was passed. That means you may possess and use it, but can't sell or transfer it to anyone else in CA.