White Bag M1 Carbine

A local gun shop has a Inland white bag m1 carbine. I inspected this carbine and was surprised that it was a rebuilt gun, a very even and matching gray color to all the parts. The stock was a brand new SG marked stock, I'd say the stock was the best part. Asking price is $1800 which seems to be about double of what a rebuilt carbine is worth. However I did some quick online research and it seem that it might not be out of line, unless this isn't a typical white bag gun.
So two questions, were all white bag carbines refinished and if so, why would they bring such high prices? Is the bag and history worth that much?
Bob

My current Inland 6 digit was a post war rebuild with a matching re-finish, Highwood Inland stock, and Underwood undated (year only) barrel with an ME of "0". It was a $850 weapon a couple years ago. I could see $1200-$1300 if it has the original white bag. $1800 can buy a VERY nice, unmolested non-rebuilt carbine. Two years ago I sold a 1943 Inland 90-95%, all original for $1450.

That's pretty much what I was thinking, but am likely a bit out of touch with carbine prices. Thanks for your comments.
Bob

White bag carbines could run the gamut between untouched at rebuild time to completely rebuilt and yes refinished too. Why I understand the "uniqueness" of white bags, I personally wouldn't pay what they're priced at. I think a prospective buyer can get more carbine for less money quite easily.

As Del said, they can run the gamut. I have seen early carbines which were rebuilt before the Navy got them go for $ 1,250 to $ 1,400. They are refinished and all mixed parts.
I have seen original finish, late Inland and Winchester "white bag" carbines go for $ 2,400 to $ 2,500. These are the closest thing to an "As Issued" carbine many people will ever see. With the "New" Inlands going close to $ 1,000, getting a real WWII carbine in like new condition, put into storage in 1953, is worth it to me. IN A NORMAL WORLD, THESE WOULD NOT EXIST. I was around when the Civil War guns turned a hundred. Anybody ever see a Civil War gun which was not used in the war and put in storage in 1873? I wonder how many 10K dollars it would go for? More than one I bet. In not so many years, these will turn a hundred. How many of you will just have "junkers" and "shooters" and not have one "like new", been in storage for a hundred years. I can't think that far ahead.
At $2,500, these are cheap.

It is still 25+ years until they become centurions. I wish I could be around to see it.

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Originally Posted by JimF4M1s

It is still 25+ years until they become centurions. I wish I could be around to see it.

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Might have to stick around more than 25 years to see a carbine turn into a Roman officer.

A centurion (Latin: centurio; Greek: κεντυρίων, kentyríōn, or ἑκατόνταρχος, hekatóntarkhos) was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded groups of centuries of around 80 men but senior centurions commanded cohorts or took senior staff roles in their legion.

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Originally Posted by firstflabn

Might have to stick around more than 25 years to see a carbine turn into a Roman officer.

A centurion (Latin: centurio; Greek: κεντυρίων, kentyríōn, or ἑκατόνταρχος, hekatóntarkhos) was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded groups of centuries of around 80 men but senior centurions commanded cohorts or took senior staff roles in their legion.

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I never could spell. Maybe why I married an ex secretary. Does centenarian, sound better to you?

:) It sounds like wishful thinking to me.

But the thing about the white-baggers is they are documented as coming straight from the government with no civilian monkey fingers messing with them. That's the whole thing. No import marks, right out of the gov. storage facility and in fresh arsenal condition. Also, typically these carbines were never given to another country - most of those have been imported by private business. So a white-bagger is basically the real deal and one of them in any configuration, as long as it remains unchanged since it left the arsenal, would be liable to fetch quite a price.

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Originally Posted by INLAND44

:) It sounds like wishful thinking to me.

But the thing about the white-baggers is they are documented as coming straight from the government with no civilian monkey fingers messing with them. That's the whole thing. No import marks, right out of the gov. storage facility and in fresh arsenal condition.

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Interesting comment, makes sense to me. I have one of the carbines that was sold in 1961 for $20.00 including the freight and the paperwork notes that it was not functional.... but is perfectly good. I have a few nice original carbines but this one is pretty special because of the documented history. I'll have to take a 2nd look at the white bag carbine. I had suggested $900 and the seller thought I was crazy, and they might be right.

Bob

The paperwork states that it is UNSERVICEABLE, not non-functional! There is a huge difference. Unserviceable means that the government no longer had the parts available to service/repair them, not that there was anything wrong with them. White bags are direct from rebuild and have not seen any use since being put into the bag. They are completely arsenal rebuilt and in top condition. $1800 is NOT an outrageous price for one these days. They are literally like new.

Actually , IIRC , in the '60s sales , you could buy a " serviceable " carbine for a price . It would be pulled and inspected . If it was bad , another would be pulled in it's place or repairs made . This would take time , and time was money , so the price was higher .
You could also choose to buy an " unserviceable " grade for less , which was just pulled , given a quick eyeball , and sent out . It could , and most times was , as good as a serviceable one , but there were exceptions .
Chris