Source for determining how original an M1 Carbine is?

[thefifthspeed]

I plan on selling what I beleive to be an original QHMC carbine but I need to verify all of the parts are indeed correct. The main parts that I can identify are correct to the rifle and the park with the parts is consistant to the parts.
So does anybody have a link to a site where I can find this info? I have a couple duff books but the ones I have don't go into that much detail.
BTW the serial is 4.81 mil

[Fate]

Battlerifles.com has a good group of collectors. Otherwise, the info you seek is in War Baby. I have a copy, but it's kinda unwieldy to "give" you the info. It'd probably be easier if you wrote up a data sheet and then we could compare. PM me if you want to take it private.

[thefifthspeed]

I guess I need to wrestle up some of those M1 Carbine PDF parts sheets and go from there. I'll get back to you once I get a handle on this.

[slowjonn]

Craig Reich's M1 carbine book is a pretty cheap and very informative book on this. For a quick reference book its about the best there is. PM me if you need info on what you have.

[jamesob]

do you have a price range yet?

[thefifthspeed]

do you have a price range yet?

If it is indeed correct I was thinking in the range of 1400-1600. I would ask for closer to 2k but the stock (which is original) has been cracked and repaired.

[Mosby]

Here is a forum I visit, helpful folks with good info.

http://m1carbineforum.forumco.com/default.asp

[Scout106]

What is your definition of original? Can you post pics?

I'm very curious as to what you have, because I don't believe there is a likelyhood of an "original" M1 Carbine existing, outside of a possible few presentation rifles from the war production years, if you define original as being "as factory built". All M1 carbines were re-built by the U.S. in the years after WWII and many were re-issued for Korea as well as being sent to other countries as military aid. It is possible to replace with correct parts to return the rifle to "as built" condition, but this is a restoration and does not make the rifle original. IMO, anyway.

[bplvr]

is there anything stamped on the left side of the barrel just above the front barrel band ? ...............like "Blue Skye "

[thefifthspeed]

What is your definition of original? Can you post pics?

I'm very curious as to what you have, because I don't believe there is a likelyhood of an "original" M1 Carbine existing, outside of a possible few presentation rifles from the war production years, if you define original as being "as factory built". All M1 carbines were re-built by the U.S. in the years after WWII and many were re-issued for Korea as well as being sent to other countries as military aid. It is possible to replace with correct parts to return the rifle to "as built" condition, but this is a restoration and does not make the rifle original. IMO, anyway.

Story is: the guy I got it off said the guy he got it from inherited it from his father who got it in the 40s or 50s (not sure if it was a bringback or what). I understand that 98%+ of all carbines were re-hauled and re-arsenaled at least once if not more during multiple wars (and when changing countries sometimes). The reason why I think it is original and not a correct restoration is because the park is original and consistant throughout all of the parts and AFAIK they all match.

I can have picutures of it up probably tomorrow when I get some time to break it down and take a look at all of the parts.

is there anything stamped on the left side of the barrel just above the front barrel band ? ...............like "Blue Skye "

No import, if it was a blue sky I wouldn't try to pass it off as an original

[Spiggy]

The reason why I think it is original and not a correct restoration is because the park is original and consistant throughout all of the parts and AFAIK they all match.

I can have picutures of it up probably tomorrow when I get some time to break it down and take a look at all of the parts.



No import, if it was a blue sky I wouldn't try to pass it off as an original

Short of finding it completely shiny and wrapped in the goo paper; you're probably never going to find an "Original" factory mfg carbine.
The best you can do is gauge the serial range and reconfigure the gun to typical builds of that timeframe. Even then, manufacturing variations and parts sourcing would have still created millions of variations of one manufacture of carbine. That's what makes "All [One-Manufacturer] Parts" guns so cute; IT'S NOT CORRECT!

[Fate]

I'm very curious as to what you have, because I don't believe there is a likelyhood of an "original" M1 Carbine existing, outside of a possible few presentation rifles from the war production years, if you define original as being "as factory built".

Short of finding it completely shiny and wrapped in the goo paper; you're probably never going to find an "Original" factory mfg carbine.

They're out there. Here's mine. All original, never rearsenalled or "messed with."

[Seesm]

What about carry homes? I would say they are quite original and there are a few of those hanging around I bet... Btw poster right above me want to sell? Very nice!!

[Spiggy]

They're out there. Here's mine. All original, never rearsenalled or "messed with."

Yea, but you're old, you had the chance to find them back when they were in hardware stores!

[thefifthspeed]

I found the pictures the seller sent me which saves me time of taking my own. What small parts do I need to look at to figure out if they are correct?