M1A1 lower hinge

[hsr]

I hate to ask another "Is this real" question, but I have to ask this one. Here is an M1A1 lower hinge for sale http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=131096956
Compared to a known good one it looks real to me and when I asked the seller; "Is this genuine WW 2 USGI?" his response was; "it is original GI WW2". The problem is that he seems to have a lot of them i.e. he always has one for sale. Now maybe he found a box of them, but it just makes me suspicious. So, is it real?

[John R.]

Perhaps this fellow found a boxfull as you thought.I did in an ordnance depot in SEA two years ago and brought 2 home.They are in rock hard solidified cosmoline and I left them that way as it was just a whim that I picked them up in the first place.

Around 18 years ago I picked up a WWII vet bringback M1A1 carbine that had it's stock butchered to make a thumbhole NON-folding stock.Only the bottom hinge and the long pivot screw were ruined but try to find originals to replace them with.Thankfully the old fellow had kept all the pieces so the hunt was on.I had the great MISFORTUNE to see an ad by that Arlen T.Pendergast down in SC and ordered a hinge and the long screw.What do I receive but an Italian REPRO hinge so I call Arlen and give him a whatfor.I send it back and receive a rusted pitted POS in return.NOW I AM REALLY POed and say so and finally receive a mint REAL one.Net cost including all the phone calls was well over $300.I was only into the rifle for $100(not kidding and from a dealer to boot) so I was okay nonetheless.

When I saw the box of hinges laying there in a bigger crate of M1A1 bits I just pocketed a few out of who knows?Maybe due to my having been rodgered in 1992.Who knows?I still have them and haven't degreased them either.

If you are really stuck for one drop me a note OFF FORUM and we'll sort something out.At least I KNOW that the 2 I kept are kosher.

Now to bed here.

Cheers,

JR