M1 carbine firing pin protection question

[Anaspides]

Hi,
This question may seem trivial, but it has nagged at me over the years.
When I was about four years old, my father, who saw service as an anti tank gunner in North Africa and Italy, was set to go hunting with a fellow worker early one morning. His friend spent the night before the hunt at our house, and placed his M1 on our living room mantelpiece, ready for the off.
I remember that the carbine chamber was left open and with a small square of blotting paper covering the protruding firing pin and surrounding bolt face. Dad took the carbine down , and pointed out the reason why the pin and bolt and were protected in this way. Of course, I've forgotten his explanation. Was this to prevent debris fouling the pin? Or for some other reason. Is the M1 prone to jammed firing pins? Or is this just an example of good care and maintenance?

Information

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[Mizzouboy]

All I can think of was maybe to absorb excess oil from around the firing pin and bolt, which could gum up in cold weather (deer season?). Old gun oils were more prone to thickening than the new synthetic stuff, but I had it happen on my .308 Savage last season, caused a FTF. A good cleaning and light lube fixed it.

[browningautorifle]

I have a feeling whatever he thought it did was a wives tale. The only thing you need to do before firing is oil or grease working parts and dry the bolt face, chamber and barrel of oil. There's no requirement to put anything over anything the night before...superstition...

[Al Diehl]

I wonder why the firing pin was protruding?

Al

[DaveHH]

Oil in the chamber or on the bolt face is supposed to increase chamber pressure on the case. Most cases are not fully supported and if they cannot grip the chamber walls, they move. I would also worry about oil into the primer which definitely happens.

[emmagee1917]

Or to absorb condensation as rifle went from mantel to the cold fields . Ice can raise havic , too.
Chris

[INLAND44]

I wonder why the firing pin was protruding?

Al

The bolt was locked back if I'm reading it right, and the FP is not spring-loaded, so it could protrude if the carbine were handled in a certain way. But, I think maybe he was looking at the ejector. Whatever, putting a piece of absorbent material in or on the bolt face is not advisable. Worst case, you forget its there and load a round, or try to. Or, it absorbs moisture over time and rusts the bolt face. Also, leaving a carbine locked back like that is never advisable. Supposed it had a loaded mag in it - you all know how delicately you have to handle a carbine with that little push-button lock. Most of them won't even stay back.

[browningautorifle]

Seems he isn't that interested, OP hasn't been here since he posted that. I still think it's a wives tale that got passed on.

[Anaspides]

Thank you gentlemen for your considered opinions.
I've been out bush and uncontactable for a few days and must apologise for being tardy. Your posts show a depth of thought and experience I can't match.
The blotting paper was in the centre of the bolt face and my father removed it to show the FP. The mag was kept separate from the weapon, as it should be.
The time of year was winter; I remember darkness falling early and the roaring fire. Perhaps the carbine had been kept in storage for a period and the blotting paper was part of that process.
Cheers,
Peter

[emmagee1917]

Ah , storage . Yes , I have placed a fresh cleaning patch in a chamber and closed the bolt before putting it in storage . Keeps excess barrel oil from moving down into the action , buttstock areas .
Chris