New member, new Carbine with pictures

[woodlecj]

I just picked this up the other day at the LGS. Always wanted a carbine and when I saw the six digit serial number and fairly rough shape, I figured it may have been used in WWII and then brought back by a GI and held on to. No import marks on it. I know they can be mixmasters, but it looks to be mainly Inland with a Winchester barrel which is in great shape and shoots well at 50 yards. I didn’t want one that was “real pretty”, assuming it would have been refurbished many times.
I’d like comments on what you think about it. How original you think is is? The stock looks like it has a lot of magazine bandolier wear. Is that typical? Barrel has lost a lot of blueing, but no rust, just honest wear. I took picks of all of the markings I could find. What is "JLB" in the sling slot? What is "EU" on the front sight?

Thanks,
Craig



Q-NL on Trigger Assembly

P and C on underside of stock grip

JLB on the stock



PI on the rear sight


IN on underside of gas block slide area



WA on the hammer

EU on the front sight



C on by the gas port

SI on the barrel band

W on the barrel, but nothing else

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]

That's not from an ammo pouch - sombody used a wood rasp to remove most likely a large Korean painted mark. Chances are it has been through at least one rebuild and refinish and probably is an import - maybe the import mark was a light one and easily removed.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

EU front sight was for Underwood, also has been seen on I.B.M.'s and Quality Hardware guns.

JL-B was an I.B.M. stock

Wear, sure, the gun was built in 1943. Like Inland44 mentions it has been through at least one rebuild. The PI rear sight, type three barrel band, rotary safety, and late mag catch says that. Probably also when the front sight got changed to the EU. The Q-NL trigger housing is Quality Hardware. Other things like a type 4 slide, 4 rivit handguard. No big deal. Most carbines went through some kind of rebuild.
Thing is you have a G.I. WW2 rifle that is part of history and will be fun to shoot. Most places you won't see many, or any, when you go to a range. Enjoy it, it was made to be shot.

[Bruce McAskill]

To add what Inland and Jim have said. The barrel and hand guard have also been changed during a rebuild. Look on the bottom of the barrel behind the front sight. It may appear to be a scratch as some were stamped very small.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Welcome to the site, woodlecj! (And welcome to the carbine affliction!) Nice carbine and thanks for the photos.

I think you'll find the guys here are some of the most knowledgeable and friendly around. Pull up a chair and get comfortable.

~ Harlan

[Amsdorf]

Congrats, thanks for the pics. Welcome!

[woodlecj]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Bruce, you were right; I took a loupe and in very small print is ARL ORD Arlington VA. Does that tell you anything other than the Arlington Ordinance factory refurbed it? Do you think this carbine went to Korea as well?

Aslo, when sighting it in at 50 yards it was shooting way low. I have the rear sight all the way back between the 250 and 300 yd marks. Should I file the top of the front sight down to get the rear to where it should be?
The windage screw is really cranked so that the sight is way left (when looking down at it). Should I knock the sight over in the dovetail more?

Inland,

Were the import marks only on the stocks? I have a Mauser that has the typical "C.A.I. Georgia VT." import marks on the barrel.

I paid $600 for this one. He has a nicer looking one for $750 in the 2 million range. Now that I know a little more to look for, maybe I'll take this back and get the other one if it checks out.

Thanks,
Craig

[Bill Hollinger]

Welcome to the site. Stay and enjoy!

ARL ORD Arlington VA. was the importer for a great number of carbines and I believe Garands also. That is called an import stamp.

[INLAND44]

Its shooting low because it has a brand new sight on it that has never been filed down to correct aiming. Do this with the rear sight on 1. Up to 12" high at 100 is within the original targeting specifications. First, center the rear sight aperture in the sight base and fire the carbine, later measuring how far off it is to the right. You will have to move the sight base to the left to compensate, but be advised that the base gets tighter to the left and looser to the right, so if its real tight now you'll have to take it out and sand the bottom of the base and repeat until it gets tight at the right spot, then stake it in place. Then you may have to put one or two clicks on the windage knob for final alignment. Next you work on the front sight - I'd recommend 6" high at 100 which would be right in the center of the 100 yard sighting target.

This makes the range settings on the rear sight meaningful and in line with the original sighting concept. Before working on the rear sight, you might want to check the front sight and see if its tight and if it looks like its twisted to the left, which would throw your shot to the right. You can take the sight off and reset it straighter (more to the right) which would reduce the amount you have to move the rear sight left.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Bruce, you were right; I took a loupe and in very small print is ARL ORD Arlington VA. Does that tell you anything other than the Arlington Ordinance factory refurbed it? Do you think this carbine went to Korea as well?

Were the import marks only on the stocks? I have a Mauser that has the typical "C.A.I. Georgia VT." import marks on the barrel.

I paid $600 for this one. He has a nicer looking one for $750 in the 2 million range. Now that I know a little more to look for, maybe I'll take this back and get the other one if it checks out.

Thanks,
Craig

Hey woodlecj.

Inland was referring to rack numbers or other identification marks the Koreans often painted on stocks while in their possession. They were not import marks. The paint they used can be difficult to remove completely.

Yes, carbines are usually import marked somewhere on the barrel the same as your Mauser. Sometimes very lightly like yours and sometimes huge. There was one importer that stamped a huge 'BLUE SKY' on the barrel very deeply and it's known for being the worst of all.

An import mark will generally lessen the value of a carbine (and Mauser) of equal condition otherwise. Sometimes the lighter stampings don't cause as much concern. Often people prefer using import stamped rifles for 'shooters' because their collector value is lessened.