Researching My Carbine

I'm a new member, so I hope I'm doing this right. I'm looking for info about my IBM carbine. My Dad gave it to me 31 years ago and said he bought it at a pawn shop, probably in the early sixties. SN 3884xxx. The last three numbers are stamped on the plate behind the upper receiver, on top of the flat bolt, on top of the charging handle, and at the rear of the trigger assy inside the stock. I haven't read on any forums where anyone talks about serial numbers being stamped onto parts. They all match. Is this normal? Help!

Blackhawk, welcome to the forum.
Does your carbine have any import stamps on it.
Being bought at a pawn in the sixties your Dad probably got it for a reasonable price.
Pictures will help figure out what you have.....Frank

There are no import stamps anywhere. I'll get some photos posted when I get home tonight. As far as the last three of the serial number on the various parts, is that normal?

It may have served some time in a differant country's military. Some of them liked to code the parts with serial numbers. I don't believe our military services did.
Are they stamped or electro penciled?

.....Frank

We need Photos!!!

They are stamped...well done, as if from factory

I had an import stamped this way..As far as I know there were no added serial numbers, full or partial to an USGI carbine, unless they were restamping a serial number forward on top if an added later rear sight covered the original SN..I understand mine was imported from Israel...Like the Greek M1903's, these have much less "collector" value, but can make a good shooting rifle..

Think Bavarian

He says he got it 31 years ago? Arent the Bavarians recent CMP? Were they imported 31 years ago? Im not sure???

No, Bavarian carbines have come into this country at least one or two times earlier. The first ones may have been before the import stamps were required. I'm thinking early 80's.

He said his father got it in the '60's that makes it more like 40 years.
Didn't they trickle back until the mass return to the U.S. Army, then CMP?
If Bavarian then it should have some value.
So why would a return from Bavaria have more value than say Israel?
Just wondering out loud.....Frank

Israel was the suspected user..nobody knew for sure at that time..I bought it because it was a WRA under the 1st 100 made! Like SN 1,000,090..something like that..import stamp under barrel, type 1 stock, but it had a blackish coating..it had some upgrades, but early stock still

Do you remember if the stock was stamped?.....Frank

I dont remember any markings...

Thanks Andy, I ask because I have one in the 13,000 range in an unmarked I cut highwood Win. stock. Only stamp is the nunber 22 on the bridge.
I had herd that in the early going at Winchester some stocks were unmarked.....Frank

Blackhawk - IBM did not produce that many carbines during the war. In fact they only produced them from Oct 1943 through May 1944. Your M1 was produced between Jan-Mar 1944.

I recommend picking up a copy of "Collecting The M1 Carbine III" by J. C. Harrison. It will help you with everything you ever wanted to know.

BTW - should you decide to part with it, please let me know!

Blackhawk - I just re-read your post. The serial numbers are most likely from another country. M1s are not 'all matching' like most military weapons but rather 'original as manufactured' is the best you can hope for. IBM only produced three M1 components:
Receivers
Barrels
Slides

The other parts were manufactured by various subcontractors which were combined with the IBM parts and assembled at the IBM plant. Therefore, if all of the parts you listed have matching serial numbers, they were most likely added later. Ordnance inspectors did not care if the components 'matched.' What was important was that functioning carbines were completed as quickly as possible so they could be put in the hands of soldiers. The sharing of components was condoned by the Ordnance Department and was a common practice among the prime contractors.

Here are the photos. I hope these help with identification.

Bavarian

Theres your answer..I wonder if his 31 year story is true?

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.