Researching My Carbine

I've had this rifle in my possession since I was 17. Given to me by my father as a Christmas present in 1978. I remember him shooting it when I was very young (1967). What makes it Bavarian?

Blackhawk61,

Welcome to the forum

Germany usually marked the serial number or at least the last three digits of the serial number on all of their guns when they made them. Many M1 carbines were loaned to the German police after WWII. While in their possession they often marked the serial number on parts. The parts may not have even been from the original manufacture by the time they received them, but while in their possession they would mark the parts in one rifle so they would remain together.

The good news is that as a rule Germany took better care of the carbines that were loaned to them than most other countries such as Korea.
Also, many of the carbines that were loaned to Germany immeddately after WWII didn't go through the post war rebuilds that most carbines went through, so many of them kept their original WWII parts and configurations. There's usually a premium in value for the carbines lent to Germany than comparable carbines loaned to other countries. Recently the German carbines have become a collecting area all it's own.

Below is a link you an outstanding web site all about Bavarian carbines you should enjoy and will provide a lot more info.
It's owned by one of our members here.

U.S. Carbines during the American Occupation

Looking forward to seeing some photos of your carbine

~ Harlan

You don't mix up bolts and lose headspace, the wear patterns of parts are matched, German weapons may have required a slight amount of hand work or fitting and this isn't lost with a part swap. Lugers are that way, 98Ks etc. US level of manufacture was beyond good. The same situation was around with watch parts, American watches needed no hand fitting as all the parts were perfect and repeatable. It would also be very expensive to mark each part like the Germans. Easy to see why they did it.

Thank you to everyone responding to this thread. You've given me a lot of good info to digest.