M1 Carbine Help Needed!

[random]

See post 14 for the pictures.

I finally took possession of my Grandfathers M1 Carbine (x-mass gift from him). He gave it to me when I was 8 but my Mom freaked and told him to hold on to it until I was older. I have had several boxes of mags since that time and a few boxes of ammo (they make great soldiers and tanks when you're a kid). Most of the mags are marked "MN" on the backside, some are not marked at all. The are all :cough:bull*****:cough: "high cap." Yes I had them before the 1994 and 2000 bans. Carter was the pres when I was born and he gave them to me when I was 8.

On to the Carbine:

I believe it to be a Quality Hardware unit, 4.7mil. serial range.
The front sight has "RIA" stamped on the band on the left side. The front band has the bayonet lug and is stamped "MMQ" on the left side and "EM-Q" on the bottom. The rear sight is adjustable from 1-3 in .5 increments and is stamped "PI" or "P1" on the right side. It looks like it has a "B" stamped on the trigger guard and has the flip down safety. The stock is stamped I think "WRA" with "GHD" right below it on the right side. There also is the remains of another stamp on the right side that looks very similar to the Springfield Armory stamp. The left side has "PRO" or "PRQ" then below that "RHH" is stamped. The stock looks brand new but the upper hand guard is a shade or two lighter. The park on it is 98-99%. I have a feeling it is a re-arsenal.

He bought it at the break out of the Watts Riots from a shop in Pasadena. He wanted a rifle he was familiar with for home defense. He is a WW2 (I think he doesn't talk about it much), Korean War Vet and a China Marine! He was a "Radio Man" and did tell me about a landing he did in the same craft with the "Beach Master."

I'll get some pics up when I find my camera. Any help identifying this Carbine would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for looking! --random

[Bongos]

Well, your stock is worth lots of $$$ as it is original mark USGI, your gun is definitely a arsenal rebuild (adj rear sights and bayo lug is th egive away), you need to disassemble it more, the stampings are all over the place on a carbine. If you look on the barrel behind the front sight, there should be an indication of your rifle's age

[random]

If you look on the barrel behind the front sight, there should be an indication of your rifle's age

Thats the odd part there are no markings behind the front sight. When I get more time and I'm not at work I'll tear her down. Thanks for the help. --random

[Spiggy]

tear it down more, it's hidden by the gas port, not the rear sight

[random]

So I took the Carbine down some ore today. There is only one other stamp that I could find, its a "W" or "M" stamped on the op rod "block" (I don't know what to call it, its part of the op rod but sits under the barrel and the spring rests against it.). I also found a "W" or "M" stamped on the mag release button. And the mag well is stamped "-U-" but the "-" are actually dots. Nothing else what so ever. Any ideas what might be going on? I figured it would be like a Garand with stamping everywhere. Thanks! --random

[mothergreen]

well that there is a true mixmaster. winchester and underwood and quality hardware parts as well as aresenal rebuild parts.

[eckerph]

Front sight marked RIA= Rockola
Bayo lug marked MMQ,EMQ=Quality hardware
Rear sight marked=PI= Inland or Saginaw gear
Trigger guard marked B=?
Op Rod marked W=Winchester
Stock marked WRA/GHD= Winchester
Youre carbine is a mixmaster just like most, can you see any markings on the barrel? there should be some letters and numbers just below the front sight on the top of the barrel. If you want to PM me the serial# i could give you a date of manufacture.

[mothergreen]

I thought mmq was a arsenal rebuild band? I have one on one of my plainfields. ah well... my book is in the back room and I ain't goin out there in the rain to answer the questions.

[random]

Thanks for the help gents! The barrel has no markings on it what so ever. The Carbine looks like this was the first time it was taken apart. There are no wear marks on it anywhere. The serial # is 4,73X,XXX. Again thanks for all the help, I'll get some pics up when I find the digi cam. --random

[Boomer1961]

....... Carter was the pres when I was born and he gave them to me when I was 8.

.....

WOW! You met President Carter!

And he gave you some high cap carbine mags to boot!

Is he and NRA member?

I would have never guessed that.

Do ya think Georgy Dubya the Junior Bush might come to CA and give me some high cap mags? How about snow white and the seven democratic hopeful candidates? Do ya think they might hand out high cap mags for votes during the primary? Might actually get some of us to vote for them with such a deal.

I hope you all had a wonderful holidays!

[eckerph]

I thought mmq was a arsenal rebuild band? I have one on one of my plainfields. ah well... my book is in the back room and I ain't goin out there in the rain to answer the questions.

My book sez it was used for post ww2 built carbines and is not actually a Quality hardware part but is still correct for the ops carbine.

[mothergreen]

k yeah thats what I thought. I guess I missread your post then.

[NeoWeird]

Weren't there quite a few Carbine parts available 30+ years ago? I wonder if it's not a pieced together rifle tat was rebarreled state side and repakerized to make a full carbine; it'd explain the lack of part correlation and markings on the barrel.

[random]

pics

I finally found my digital camera. So enjoy the pics!

My M1 Garand and my M1 Carbine:


Some of the stampings:




Side shot:


No markings on the barrel:


All by its self:


Thanks for looking! --random