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GCK,
It's just one of those collecting things that happen. Not long ago at all they were thought of as any other import marked gun and only had a small following. I think some of this is fueled by the CMP hype and sometimes it doesn't reflect true long term market value but who knows about collecting.
The one difference I appreciate about them is the German guns have generally been taken care of far better that the imported Korean, etc.
Personally I don't think the difference between a good rebuild of the same quality and a Bavarian marked carbine should be more than $100 or so. JMO
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Recently I was parts dealing with a guy and I said I had a nice Win Trigger Housing. He seemed quite interested.
When I told him it had the Austrian marks on the bottom, he wanted no part of it.
I can't believe that it's that "worthless". I plan to put it up for sale again soon.
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I've had a number of "Bavarians", and still have a couple. I like that (as Harlan pointed out) they have generally be superbly maintained, and also that they have an additional and unique bit of additional history associated with them.
Kind of interesting to think about a carbine that made it through the war on our side, and was then carried around for years by a German Game Warden or Forestry Policeman.
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kikokat, would that be original Bavarian/Austrian leather slings? If so, we could start another thread on the authenticity of such! :lol:
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BHP,
I believe all the ones I had were original Austrian slings. Most were marked "STOLLA" for the manufacturer.
The fellow who would know most about these is Jim Mock who set up the "Bavarian" M1 carbine web site. Home Page
In addition to his research, I believe he had an opportunity to see many of the slings that came on the current batch of Austrian/Bavarian carbines the CMP is selling.
You might drop him an email through his site.
HTH,
John
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Carbines are the only USGI firearm that are 100% WWII issue. Unless you get into the oddball M2s and 3s which are very scarce and over the $5k mark in any condition, especially humped together.
I recd this week, a CMP SG Rockola and if it had been restamped, refinished and had a plum trigger housing, I would have sent it back so fast the FedEx driver would have gotten overtime.
Brings to mind when Blue Sky was bringing in import carbines for $120 and guys were stripping them and selling the parts. Glad somebody likes them, but not me. They are $200 rifles and are so far removed from USGI WWII issue, they may as well have a plastic stock and a 1000 meter scope.
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The CMP had a few box loads of Inland "Bavarian" carbines at this year's Eastern Games at Camp Butner, NC. They were all sold as "Field Grade" at the normal price (in between the $419 rack grade and $495 service grade price).
I picked out one that was in Austria, and had the Austrian markings. Original 3/43 barrel on the Inland receiver within the appropriate s/n range for the barrel. It had been rebuilt by the Raritan (NJ) arsenel at some point.
Had very low chamber and muzzle measurements... a good shooter (which is why I selected it). The Austrian markings are on the trigger guard and the stock, and are well and cleanly struck.
It was well cared for, and looked more like a Service Grade than a Field Grade once I cleaned it up. So, any additional value due to the "rarity" of this subset of Carbines is a nice bonus...
I expect that the interest in Bavarian/Austrian carbines my have been stimulated by the website. It's likely that in their auctions the CMP has been testing the market value of them, and they'll price them accordingly. If they have been consistently selling in a given range of prices, expect the CMP to price them just below that range for the October website sales.
Marc
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Well, GCK, everyone has his own opinion and all are my friends, but to me, having served with a foreign ally is all part of the history of the piece. I own a mint Inland all in WWII configuration I picked up thirty years ago, and recently acquired a racker Austrian IBM that I cannot believe is a racker -- the Austrians certainly took care of their guns. On the other hand, last year's Italian return SG was not well maintained and had obviously been abused. But it's all part of the story and the luck of the draw, and I think we should be very grateful the CMP exists and is giving us a chance at these pieces of history.
BTW, I missed the boat on the CMP 15 round mags . . . and do not have even one GI mag for my Austrian. Can anyone spare one please? I will go $15 for one in good condition.
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Sailorman,
I'll be happy to send an Inland mag if you live in a state where they're legal. I have several.
(At least my ex-wife didn't think of pawning my mags when she pawned all my carbines!) :bitch:
~ Harlan
nalrahtrohs(AT)aol.com
