Please look at these Hand guard markings

[deldriver]

HANDGUARDS

[rokwell]

What I see are that two distinct shape patterns are being used!!! It's clear to see! Sorry to keep editing but this is hard to sort out. I think I have it now.....Can you look at more handguards to compare? One pattern as seen for the 4 rivet RMC and 2 rivet QRMC, and then another pattern for the 4 rivet QRMC and 2 rivet RMC. Look carefully, you will see the ends (front and back) are very similiar in shape for the 4/QRMC and 2/RMC combo, and then the same for the taper angle in the front which is longer. (looking at the top view pictures). Same similarities for the 4/QRMC 2/RMC combo.....front ends taper radius is more, sight groove shallower, while the other combo has less taper radius and deeper sight groove up front. Then we have the rear of the guards - more pronounced 'knock off' of rear edge radius on the one combo than the other. Looks like two different 'models' being macined from. Does the same hold true for the milling marks on the underside of the handguard, center channel? Same type of milling marks for the 4 rivet RMC and 2 rivet QRMC combo, and then the same type of milling marks for the 4/QRMC and 2/RMC combo? Same for each combo, but different amongst combos? Does anyone else see this too?

[painter777]

Just happened upon this old auction.....

USGI M1 M2 Carbine Hand Guard Stamped Q-RMC Quality Hardware 4 Rivets | eBay

Charlie-painter777

[rokwell]

This is what I mean, pictures should illustrate what I'm thinking....

[rokwell]

Sorry, last posting on this, I promise. Just noticed something else. Clearly, you can see IDENTICAL milling marks on the rears of the 2 rivet handguards and identical ones on the 4 rivet handguards. So how about this idea: Two different 'models' (or machines) being used to make the handguards, and then differing milling/finishing machines being used at different timeframes...i.e. one type of machine during the 2 rivet manufacture, and another during the 4 rivet manufacturing period. Does anyone have handy the description of the process used to make the handguards...how many steps, what done at each step? i.e. 'Revolution in Gunstocking' book? Cant remember if they discussed this or not in the book

[Tired Retired]

You guys want to know what I think????????






I think Charlie is having fun at this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[INLAND44]

I don't get it. They're just old, used up, beat up hand guards. How can you possibly try to make anything out of them? They've been issued, been to combat, been to rebuilds, been modified.....but they all look 'real' to me, as in used on U.S. Carbines.

[rokwell]

...Look at the picture under this post. I think there is the same line on Charlie's handguard, as seen in his pictures here. And 'wow', this line is also visible on the picture in Charlie's posted link to the ebay auction! It's interesting (even though just handguards).

From BQ: Rockola handguards - 2 Rivets vs 4 Rivets - CMP Forums

"A lot of 2 rivet handguards were upgraded during rebuild to 4 rivets. On this 4 rivet Q-RMC hand guard you can see, and feel, where the additional material was cut to accomodate the larger lip."

[painter777]

These did all come down from Western Canada, a surplus buy back in the 60's. Original owner owned property up there and snuck so many at a time back home over the border buried in the back of his station wagon. He then pulled ALL the wood off and traveled the big Western US gun shows selling just the metal. This is a fact. Many had Korean rack numbers painted on them. I know some of you will remember this. I came across these years ago thru a friend who stumbled upon this guys stash, who was my friends' Fathers neighbor. All the wood (Stocks, Stock metal and HG's were piled in a small garage and had spilled out under a rickity carport roof. Many had been beat up by the weather, getting rained and snowed on. Sides that were up had been sun bleached, sides that were down has taken on a blackish look from the moisture getting to them and not having a chance to dry.
My friend found that the original owner had been burning these in a small wood burner in his small shop. He saved what he could and after hearing about it, I helped supply $$ to help recover anything salvagable. At first he would send sets to me to repair and re-finish. Then I'd auction them off and split the income. Later I bought the remaining carbine stocks from him and later when offered, I bought the rest of the HG's. I don't want to say just how many stocks and HG's I've bought over the years, but there were many. Many of the stocks were heavily weathered from being caught outside.
Remember when I was repairing the stocks and selling them, many/most of these came from those buys. Some could be saved... others became 'Donor Patch Wood'.
To give you an idea of the condition of some...... Does anyone remember 'Frankenstock'? Here's a picture to refresh your memory...

Frankenstock..



Many were saved and many more will be. Here's a few pictures of some that were passed along after being stripped and re-finished..






Some that came with painted on rack numbers were re-finished to find great stocks. 1 had a Korean tag attached that explained what it's storage bins location was. Here are a couple examples of some jewels found under rack paint....



Tag was on this stock, a Inland Type III long barrel channel....


This was one of my best after re-finish finds, A RMC Type I with no Rebuild stamps in great condition. The factory applied putty over the knot hole was breaking down and did not survive the strip....





Now back to the 4 Rivet Handguards...
I have one of my very limited thoughts......
Pay close attention to this one in the Ebay link. Zoom in on the first picture and look at the metal retaining tab and look closely above the cut away edge.
Can you see fresher wood? Towards the left side?
Here's the link again...
USGI M1 M2 Carbine Hand Guard Stamped Q-RMC Quality Hardware 4 Rivets | eBay

What's that ?
"Dinner is ready........ Your favorite... Martha White Bisquits and gravy"
Be right there !!

Later,
Charlie-painter777

[Tired Retired]

Dude, you are too big for me to kick your A$$... so I will just have to buy you a beer for all the fun you have caused!!!!!

Enjoy your bisquits, my friend