Questions- Chrome plated M1A1 carbine

Chrome plated M1A1 carbine- Stock cartouche postwar refurb by Augusta Arsenal (AAM).
Underwood receiver (ser # 2,844,XXX).
I believe that its an original mixmaster w/ bayonet lug and adjustable rear sight.
Came w/ one chrome USGI 15rd mag and one chrome USGI 30rd mag.
All parts chromed except springs and slide stop (park?).
Sharp rifling in barrel/ no pits etc. Unsure if interior of barrel is chromed.

Gas piston seized up- does not move. Used Kriol oil etc. Have not disassembled.
Other then that, all parts work.
Have not/ do not intend of firing.

I've done my homework as best I can- all parts markings are USGI. Stock/ folding buttplate all cartouched/ marked correctly.

No provenance.

Questions- any help appreciated.
1- Does chrome plating increase or decrease value?
2- There is a plus or minus 1/4 inch "M" on left side of pistol grip. Have not seen any explanation in my searches. --Does anyone know what it means?--

Thanks,

How about some pic's ?

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Originally Posted by Jefe

Chrome plated M1A1 carbine-
All parts chromed except springs and slide stop (park?).
Sharp rifling in barrel/ no pits etc. Unsure if interior of barrel is chromed.

Gas piston seized up- does not move. Used Kriol oil etc. Have not disassembled.
Have not/ do not intend of firing.

1- Does chrome plating increase or decrease value? Thanks,

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No question, it KILLS the value of the carbine. Piston sized up likley due to the chrome plating as well. If the stock has not been messed with (chromed) then that is where any value is, carbine is trash value wise unless you like bling.

Thanks for responses.
roger on the gas piston being chromed and re value.

Yes, stock is also chromed.
Stock does have original leather and rivets.

I do like "pimp" guns, :D

Anyone any idea about the "M" on the left side of the pistol grip?

Thanks.

wonder if stock chrome can be removed and reparked? once in a while on fleabay original wire for the stock comes up for sale. They did not chrome the butt plate I hope. Need to see pics of the M

I'm quite sure that the plating can be removed by a competent plating service and then reparked.

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Originally Posted by Jefe

Does chrome plating increase or decrease value?

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As responded, chrome reduces the value to about zero. Even if refinished, it has little after.

Strip-repark and make a shooter out of it!

If' in that receiver is an Underwood it's not a real M1A1. they were only made by Inland

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Originally Posted by TDH

If' in that receiver is an Underwood it's not a real M1A1

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Another reason to shoot it and enjoy.

Yep, no reason not to shoot it. And speaking of shooting, fire one round and see if it breaks the piston loose - it probably will.

As we're aware anyway, the piston may not move to touch but actually works well. They can be just tight.

Could be used as a parade gun.

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Originally Posted by JimF4M1s

a parade gun.

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Or WAS...by Audie Murphy...

It is worthless, might as well just send it to me, I will dispose of it for you,..... no charge.:thup:

All, thanks for the responses. Don't think that I'll shoot it.

No one has any info about the 1/4" "M" cartouche on the leftside of the pistol grip?

Well, got a flea up my butt.

Cleaned the gun good.

Shot it- 100% function. First shot (as Inland44 said in prior post) broke the piston loose.
The chrome/nickle plated 30rd mag is marked M2 and is commercial.

From what I've read the commercial M2 mags are 60's-80's vintage, so I believe that the carbine was chromed/ nickled about that timeframe- so probably not General Patton's personal weapon :D.

Still, the carbine shot well. 100% function. Its a keeper.

I would really like to see this shiny beast!

Any sign of a small R after the M stamp? Asking because that stock may have been through rebuild at Mt Rainier Depot.
I've also seen the M stamp and only a light impression of the R.
AA can be stamped closely and appear as a M.
A picture would really help. These letters had their own style.

Charlie-Painter777

RE Pix- I would love to, but since photobucket started charging hundreds of dollars for third party posting, anyone have any guidance where to go to post pix?

Thanks,

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Originally Posted by Jefe

anyone have any guidance where to go to post pix?

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Send your pics to me by email and I'll post them here. Check your PMs.

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Originally Posted by Jefe

RE Pix- I would love to, but since photobucket started charging hundreds of dollars for third party posting, anyone have any guidance where to go to post pix?

Thanks,

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I switched to IMGUR. Free, and easier that Photobucket ever was...and no ads!

Here's a second vote for Imgur.... I've been using them ever since Photobucket let everyone down....

Jim- browningautorifle squared me away on pix. Will take some this wknd.
Thank you, Jim.

Charley- don't see a small "r", but will focus on that w/ pix.

We'll get them up for all to see...soon...

I️ like to find old guns that have been chrome plated, and restore them to the former glory! Super easy to do! Takes so little effort you would be surprised!

Really? How do you remove the chrome?

Maybe Chrome over Nickel, aka Decorative Chrome.
If so I believe it would be a 2 step to strip.
Electrolytically (sp?) strip chrome..... Can be heavy metal Toxic.
A Nickel stripper from a plating company.

There's More involved......... but I'm worn out. It can be done at home, just read up on it and becareful. Chromium (sp?) needs proper disposal/heavy metal.

Charlie-Painter777

I've removed chrome in a glass beader with silica glass beads. You can watch the metal change color as the chrome lifts and then the nickle under it that bonds it...and eventually you see the white of the steel.

The stock must be 'real' if it is rebuild-marked. Depending on the condition of the wood parts, the wood alone without the metal parts could be $1000. So you can see that if you can buy this thing it would be very feasible to restore it. Many places can remove the chrome (or Nickel) plating and some of those places or others can do the refinish. None of this is really expensive and you could easily double your value by doing so.

OK, here are the pics...