What is this 'shield' mark on this M1 Carbine? **PICS**

[jjjxlr8]

I've never seen markings like this on the M1 Carbine before. Both the trigger housing and the stock have what looks like a shield. It almost looks like a horse or a lion inside the shield.

It also has some extra stampings on the bottom of the trigger guard and on the recoil plate.

What does this mean?









Receiver is a Standard Products and the barrel is Underwood marked with the flaming bomb.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[AFJon]

Looks like OMG Hesse (one of five occupation zones in Germany) check link below

U.S. M1 Carbines in Germany

[Sleeplessnashadow]

Wurttemberg-Baden
Stadtpolizei
Stuttgart

At the end of WWII the Allied Powers merged the German states of Baden and Wurttemberg into one state. Initially this was to be part of the U.S. Occupation Zone. At Potsdam it was decided the French should also have a part in the Occupation of Germany, resulting in the combined state of Baden and Wurttemberg being divided into three sectors hozizontally. The top of the three was named Wurttemberg-Baden and in the American Occupation Zone.

1945-1952 has been the only time in German history there was a land/state called Wurttemberg-Baden. In 1952 the three sectors of the old states of Baden and Wurttemberg were rejoined to form what is today Baden-Wurttemberg.

The Office of Military Government, U.S. (OMGUS) for Wurttemberg-Baden, in compliance with an Allied Control Council Directive in November 1945, decided how the weapons provided to the new German police should be marked and where. What they decided was the mandatory markings would be on the bottom of the trigger guard and consist of WB followed by an S for city police or LP for land/state police. If a city police the S would be followed by the initials for the particular city. If an LP, it was followed by a 4 digit inventory number.

Thus, WB-S-STG indicates a U.S. weapon issued by OMGUS Wurttemberg-Baden to the city police in Stuttgart.

Beyond the mandatory minimum markings different cities and the Landpolizei sometimes added their own markings. In the case of Stuttgart, they added their city crest (rearing stallion in a shield) along with an inventory number on the bottom of the trigger housing below the safety and mag catch. Sometimes they also added the city crest to the bottom of the hand grip. Sometimes they also added the WB markings to the recoil plate.

This is NOT a carbine used by Bavaria. Bavaria and Wurttemberg-Baden were two of five sectors compromising the American Occupation Zone. All 5 had their own military governor and his office staff, all 5 decided on markings different than the other 4.

If you visit my website and follow the links to the Armory you'll see several examples of carbines used by Stuttgart, one of which I own.

http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/armory.html

If you follow the links to Germany then Wurttemberg-Baden, you'll see the history I've been able to uncover on the carbines used there.

http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/Germany.html

The majority of collectors are not interested in a carbine's history unless it was owned by someone notable. However, there is a group of collectors interested in these particular carbines and they'll pay as much for this one if it is historically correct and based on condition, as the other collectors will pay for an "all correct" carbine made by the same manufacturer.

Hope this helps

Jim Mock
BavarianM1Carbines.com
M1CarbinesInc.com
USCarbines.com

[jjjxlr8]

Thank you very much for the excellent information! Fascinating stuff!

I have no idea whether or not this rifle is period correct or not as I've never has it apart. I'll take it apart tonight or tomorrow and take some good photos.

Anything in particular that I should look for as far as markings and features?

[painter777]

Thank You Jim M,
Your Hard work is greatly appreciated by all of us.

Sincerely,
Charlie
Painter777

[painter777]

Anything in particular that I should look for as far as markings and features?

Along with normal US markings........
Look for any signs of the metal being refinished.
Frt sight removed?
Serial number?
Stock markings? Looks to be a Hi-wood.
Early barrel band.. (Narrow)
I believe that late in Stan Pro's serial block they used the Type II rear Adj sight.
Post what you can find..... Now that you have our attention.........
We'll follow up with any questions or info.

Thx and Congrats,
Charlie-Painter777

[jjjxlr8]

I took it apart and cleaned it. It was very sooty inside but in good condition. Glad most M1 Carbine ammo is not corrosive!

Here are some detailed photos:



















More to come...

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The back of the firing pin has what appears to be brass on it... ??? Never seen anything like that before, but when the firing pin is in the forward position, the brass is perfectly flush with the back of the bolt body. Some type of repair??

[jjjxlr8]

Mr. Mock - you have some fantastic websites! Tons of useful information! THANK YOU!!

[jjjxlr8]

Found an import mark...

[painter777]

HN Hammer,

Stan Pro per 'WarBaby' did receive Hammers from NPM on 3 different ocassions...

6-30-43 2,000 Part No. C57146-9
7-21-43 5,000 Part No. C57146
8-26-43 2,000
I could only guess why the Braze/Brass was added to the rear of the Firing pin.

Charlie-Painter777