Winchester M2 stock?

[manteo97]

Purchased an M2 stock a few weeks ago for $60, included a shallow cut RMC handguard. Stock is potbelly w/ selector cut, and has "W" in the slingwell. No other marks. Very flat underside of forearm of stock, just like a Winchester. Buttplate doesn't appear to be Winchester. No recoil plate on the stock.

CC Data indicates "box of 10" Winchesters, 6 & 7 mil S/N had M1 stocks. Ruth indicates no cartouche or other marks on Winchester M2 stocks.

Any comments or does anybody know what I have?

Thanks

Information

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[gunsdora]

The W in the sling well looks kind of big or did Win. have different size of W's for there stock.

[jimb16]

Not Winchester with that mark......

[DaveHH]

isn't the W supposed to be sideways (oriented front to rear?).

[painter777]

I believe you have a M marked M2 stock.
Looks as though the small bomb may have been stamped over (partly visible thru the chalk, to the right edge of the stamped M).

Possibly made by Marlin, but I have no proof of that.

M stock is known as the 2nd style M2 stock.
It will have 3 holes under the buttplate and the over 4-1/8" long frt barrel channel.
There is no angle cut at the front of the slingwell cut out. Commonly found on WRA stocks, common, but not all WRA stocks have it.
The M stock has a thick right rail @ 1/8" plus.
I don't recall if it had the extra support cut under the recoil plate seat, I would think it did. The example I have here has had patch wood robbed from it.

This 1st picture shows the M and bomb.

2nd picture shows the M stock's profile (top one)
Potbelly HI stock (bottom one).

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

[manteo97]

Thanks Charlie,

With the exception of the flaming bomb missing on mine ( I really looked close at it, chalk, oil, & mag glass) everything else seems to match your description, down to the 3 holes under the buttplate, long channel, side profile & extra support for the recoil plate.

Riesch's book mentions these as wartime replacements, but as mine had no FB, and very VERY flat forearm like Winchester, I thought maybe....

Again, appreciate your effort.

[Bruce McAskill]

If I remember right Winchester didn't use the type 5 stock aka M2 potbelly. They only used the type 4 stock for their M2 production which wasn't very many at only 17,000+.

[manteo97]

Bruce, both Riesch ("Type V" after S/N 7280000) and Ruth ("Type C, Variation 3 Potbelly...late production") indicate Winchester used M2 potbelly's marked with "W". CC data indicates the highest reported S/N is about 13,900 serial numbers above the Riesch estimate. I don't have access to all CC data sheets, but it would be interesting to see if this one has an M2 potbelly ( it is probably an M2 carbine).

[Bruce McAskill]

If I remeber right and I don't always, I think it was BQ who stated the Winchester M2 stocks were the type 4 and not the type five. The markings in the sling well on this one is not a Winchester marking and as Charlie said it's a replacement stock.

[painter777]

Bruce,
I agree.... Type IV

Modified Type III's.

CH-P777