I need expert advice... keep me from doing something dumb.

I have never purported to be anything but a carbine lover and shooter. I have NEVER pretended to be a collector, or have that level of expertise.

I was contacted on the CMP forum by a member (wilwaukeeshaker) that wants to trade a "correct" Inland stock for my Rockola that you have seen pics of. While it is in good condition with usual dings and dents, it is an I cut with intact high wood, and the cartouches are faint, but clearly visible. I have no delusions about it being a $500 stock, but beyond that, I do not know value. I would imagine it is rarer than an Inland type II high wood.

My 3,0XX,XXX Inland is rebuilt and has type III band and Hemphill type II sight. The bolt, slide, and complete trigger guard assembly are correct period Inland (except no push safety). While I am not "restoring" it, it is mostly there. I am keeping the rear sight, as it will be a shooter.

My question is this: How much difference in rarity and value is there between Type one I cut, high wood Rockola and a Type II oval cut, high wood Inland? It seems that there is enough difference that it would have to be a really nice, intact high wood Inland.

I am not in a hurray to do this, as I like the I cut High Wood, and it is not a restoration. I am not asking for you guys to decide for me, but being ignorant, I want to know what is fair.

No question the RMC stock is more rare than the Inland. As for the value, it also depends on condition. If condition is the same for both stocks, then it becomes how badly you want the Inland stock. If you sell yours on epay or GB it would bring more $$ than the Inland. But if your purpose is to sell the RMC and buy a nice Inland type 2, then becomes the problem of trying to find a nice example. If the stocks are equally nice and you both want to do the deal, you would be entitled to some boot. Something that would be fair and equitable to both parties.

Thanks, I agree. I am going to pass on the trade. The I cut, intact high wood is classy, and offsets the Type II sight and III barrel band. At this point I don't care that it isn't Inland. Besides, I'm probably eventually going to pick up an M1A1 repro stock for using it as a house gun, and just using the RMC stock when I "take my pet Inland for a walk" (shooting a match). Thanks for the feedback.

20 years ago when I did tables at gunshows, we used to see people with really nice weapons on their shoulder walking around - either with stupid high prices on them or none at all. We use to say they were just "taking their pet (FN FAL, AR, etc) for a walk."

That RMC stock will only go up in value.
Any original marked stock will go up, but more so for the RMC.
You can document the fact that it's a CMP sent replacement.
Save it for the look and value.
Shoot your carbine in the M2 stock you have.

JMO,
Charlie-painter777

RM,

Given your stated priorities and the fact that you wanted a carbine to shoot for so long, I would also consider a few other things.

One is how good does your carbine shoot in the RMC stock? Collector value aside, the fit of the stock (recoil plate and barrel band) are the key to accuracy and shooting. And like a pair of shoes, they all fit just a little bit different in those key areas. You do not know how good a different stock is going to fit and shoot with your receiver/barrel. Selling a stock that fits for a hand full of cash will not guarantee that you will find another stock (regardless of the manufactur and markings) in the future.

A second point is to consider what value YOU put on the current stock. We all have read your posts as you have receive this current carbine, had trouble with the cracked stock, and then got excited at the replacement CMP sent you. There is some intrinsic value in that experience.

I also agree with Charlie that you should save the RMC and use the M2 for shooting. Remember, when it comes to carbines, they don't make the real stuff anymore. If it ain't old, then its a repro...

Just my two cents worth....

Tired,

You make a good. point. Part of the reason I love the stock and plan on keeping it is that it came from CMP, as did the Inland. I have a personal investment in it: cleaning it, the excitement of finding and developing the cartouches (weak as they are), and just knowing it was an early WW2 stock with I cut and high wood. It is just dang cool!

I have not shot it in this stock, but did in the other. It hangs in this stock (just under 1/8" above the nose channel) as it did in the stock that I used to shoot the tight group. We will see how it goes when I shoot it.