P on the Pistal Grip Area

I am really not clear about the P stamp in the pistal grip area. :confused: Manufacture or arsenal rebuild stamp?? Thanks, Gene

If the P is in a circle on the bottom of the grip area it would be from the factory. These were mostly found on the earlier I cut oiler slot carbines. If it's anywhere else like on the inside of the grip it would be from a rebuild.

I guess here's my confusion, war baby page 348 Inland stock B, variation 2 and Riesch's 5th edition page 178. Mine is a plaine P on front of the pistal grip? Thanks Gene

IO with flaming bomb, wonderful cartouche and it has the circle P in the bottom. It is my understanding that Inland dropped this after a while.

Unless it's a 1/2" circle with a san serif P in it stamped on the bottom of the grip, Any other P has been added as a P proof stamp after being serviced.

Inland: Used the Circled P off and on. I've only seen it on I and Oval cut Hi-woods.
WRA: Very early stocks.
Underwood: I and Oval Hi-woods.
IP-S'G': I Hi-woods.

These are just the ones I have seen, may be others...... :dunno:
Not all had it, including the M1A1 folding stocks (which if stamped, were stamped on the grip or rear side (?).

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

2 WRA I cut Hi-Woods,
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC01838-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC08239-1.jpg

Underwood Oval Hi-Wood,
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...69261612-1.jpg

Inland I cut Hi-wood,
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC07217-1.jpg

This circle P is on my M1A1 stock. It is a highwood stock.....Frank:cheers:



Attachment 38026

Just to clear up a bit of confusion.....that P on the front of the grip is NOT proof of a rebuild. It is proof of a reproof! A few un rebuilt late Inlands have that marking but show no sign of "rebuild". However, the chances that the carbine was rebuilt if it has that stamp are exceedingly high. Its like double P stampings on some carbine barrels. 2 Ps may be a reproof from a rebuild. On the otherhand, some "free issue" barrels were proofed and marked by the manufacturer then proofed a second time after they were placed on the completed carbine. Its not always so easy to tell which is which.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jimb16

On the otherhand, some "free issue" barrels were proofed and marked by the manufacturer then proofed a second time after they were placed on the completed carbine.

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If I understand this statement correctly, my barrel which has two p's stamped on the underneath would be correct then? Inland 2-43 stamped barrel. Hard to really read between the lines on some completed carbines with so many changes in the hard times of war production.
Thx, Mic

It does seem confusing to some extent about the proof makings on barrels and stocks. Very early barrels that when made were proof fired and a P stamped on the barrel. If the barrel was made to be used under the government free issue barrel program it would have gone to a carbine maker that when the carbine was built would have proof fired it again and stamped another P on the barrel so the barrel was proofed twice and stamped with a P each time. I seem to remember that early on a carbine maker who also made their own barrels that a carbine when proofed and passed the proof firing but failed inspection for what ever reason and had to go back for rework was then taken to proof again and another P added.

Now I'm going to throw in some more confusion.....a P marked barrel with a punch mark second proof! Ain't carbines fun!