M1A1 Paratrooper. Real McCoy?

[HDSledge]

Hi folks, was referred to you guys by senior members of another forum who said you are the top of mark as far as depth of knowledge on the M1A1. Looking forward to your input.

How I got it: A good friend of my wife is moving to California and she told me they can't take her husband's WWII carbine with them. They offered to sell me the gun if I took care of it and cherished it like her husband did. (He has alzheimer's and also had a stroke.) I have never owned a vintage gun so I didn't have any idea what was sitting on the table in front of me other than it was a folding wire stock carbine. I wrote them a check for the asking price without negotiating since they are good people and needed the cash for the move.

When I got the gun home I researched a bit and realized it was an M1A1 Paratrooper and original examples are valuable historical items. In the last few days I have learned a treasure trove of facts about it. Particularly interested in how they are faked, copied, built from parts, etc. I fully expected to have a bunch of replaced parts but was ok with that, the price was low. I'm no expert and some markings are very faint but I could see evidence that this could be original.

History: The wife and daughter told me the owner got it from his brother around 1955 and his brother got it in the mid 1940's. Brother's uncle was a doctor during WWII, not a paratrooper. They are asking other relatives for more info. He never shot it and kept it in a closet for decades only taking out to oil a bit externally. Dusty inside but good bore, old yellow grease inside on the spring had not been touched in a long time, wood is pretty dry. No corrosion except for a bit on the sling buckle. It was stored in an oiled cloth in a case. Only one family owned it since mid 1940's afaik. Still digging for more info.

Here's the pics. Opinions/observations are welcome. Grab a cold one and get comfortable this is a pic heavy post.

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.

[INLAND44]

Wow. The study of the M1A1 has not been my forte, but it sure looks original to me. Hopefully others will chime in with observations.

[kruffe]

Do not store the rifle inside the plastic case - any moisture will stay in the case - much better for the rifle with regards to rust to be stored outside the plastic case.

Very nice rifle indeed.

[Beginner]

That is a lovely (in my opinion, compared it to my own M1A1) original carbine. The stamps all look genuine and in the right places. Also the action is made by Inland which was the only manufacturer of A1 carbines.

Also kruffe is right, do not store the carbine in the case.

[Detroit-1]

Is that a Winchester trigger group? Is the trigger parked or blue?

[shadycon]

Very nice: turn the sling around

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Very nice looking highwood M1A1. If you bought it for as you say a "Low Price" you received a great bargain. And Carbines are still legal in California.

Take one of the dust covers off a magazine and see it it has discolored the end of the mag. If so, might as well leave them on, if not, take them all off.

The jungle clip is an aftermarket item from probably the 80's.

[lboos]

I've only owned a M1A1 for a few weeks and have been reading everything I can find and pic'c I can look at since then. although I have owned diff. M1's for over 30 years, and the one you own is as real as it gets imo. it is in the right sn. range, the pic's are outstanding, every thing about that carbine is as good as it gets, I hope to be reading more comment's from the real expert's here [and their are many here].
IMHO I think you have a real treasure and a part of history, thank's again for the many and clear picture's.
[please turn that sling around]

[browningautorifle]

Nice looking little carbine...

[Bill Hollinger]

WOW! What a gorgeous carbine! I vote it to be correct and looks to be original as well.