Auction Mystery: Is that an M1C Sniper???

Good morning, all!

Another riveting auction mystery to follow along with. Only this time, it will be less of a reveal and I will require audience participation. I've been in contact with a forum member already that will surely be along to weigh in.

I might have snagged an M1C for a killer deal. I'll let the pictures do some talking before I proceed:

Attachment 97132
Attachment 97133
Attachment 97134
Attachment 97135

There were more pictures but these are the most relevant 4.

Now, I know that the serial number needs to fall between 3.1 and 3.8 to be a possible sniper and that they fall in distinct blocks within that range. The only photo that comes close to showing the serial number obscures it though I do believe it starts with a 3. That's the fun mystery part!

As you can see it's stripped except for the mount. If it's genuine, I figure I paid about $1k less than it's worth. If it's not genuine, I probably overpaid by a couple hundred.

I should be able to pick it up tonight and I can post more pictures thereafter. Once I know the serial number, we'll be able to make a determination on authenticity.

So join in the anticipation with me, fellas! :cheers:

Certainly looks close, good luck ;)

I would have asked the serial number in clear, no mystery.

I've been bitten that way before. I don't want anyone that may be bidding against me to know that information. If I ask, the auctioneer may decide to update the description.

Besides, where's the fun in that? These mysteries wouldn't be any fun if I won every time ;). It's like that Twilight Zone episode: "But when you win every time, that ain't gambling, that's charity!"

Looking forward to how this will turn out. Staying tuned.

The rifle is in my mitts!
Serial Number: 3452852

I’ll have to get some more pics tomorrow for show and tell!

Confirmed M1C... it was already in our database :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob seijas

Confirmed M1C... it was already in our database :)

---

Well if that doesn’t make up for the nasty Israeli blank ammo that was in the mystery box, I don’t know what does!

Thank you beyond words for the confirmation, Bob!!!

nice! looking forward to the pics.

do you have a suitable scope or is that next on the list?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by henry r

do you have a suitable scope or is that next on the list?

---

I’m bidding on a few rifles now (various types) that have Lyman Alaskans on them. That would be quite suitable though not super authentic. I do have some bids in on a couple different M82 scopes too though.

I’m in a bit of a spot with this one, really. I know about what they’re worth and could certainly use that cash infusion...but I also know it’s unlikely I’d get the chance to obtain one again if I let this one go! Might just have to see how the bonus is this year before making any rash decisions ;)

"that have Lyman Alaskans on them."
Make sure the serial number has a B prefix, those are the militaries.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob seijas

"that have Lyman Alaskans on them."
Make sure the serial number has a B prefix, those are the militaries.

---

The ones I found are either As or no prefix. Like I said, not perfect but suitable at a cursory glance. And it gets this thing shooting again. I have a hefty bit of HXP to burn up :)

And thanks to a snow day, here are some more pictures!

Attachment 97143
Attachment 97144
Attachment 97145
Attachment 97146
Attachment 97147
Attachment 97148
Attachment 97149
Attachment 97150
Attachment 97151
Attachment 97152
Attachment 97153
Attachment 97154

Pretty clean looking. Nice...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Pretty clean looking. Nice...

---

Thanks! There’s not a trace of a cartouche on the stock. Wish there was something but other than that...pretty nice.
I need to pick up a gauge for the barrel. Would be nice to know.

Wow, great score. There is a guy on eBay right now selling an original scope mount exactly like yours asking $2,100. Who knows if he will get it. I would hang on to that rifle if it were me, cuz like you said, you may not have another chance to buy another one for the great deal you seem to have gotten it for

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jond41403

Wow, great score. There is a guy on eBay right now selling an original scope mount exactly like yours asking $2,100. Who knows if he will get it. I would hang on to that rifle if it were me, cuz like you said, you may not have another chance to buy another one for the great deal you seem to have gotten it for

---

I did see that mount. He’s asking twice what I paid for this rifle!
This one was luck on my part and, basically, negligence on the auctioneer’s part. The entire auction of 150 or so NICE firearms had listing titles like “Winchester.” This one was titled “Springfield.” Someone searching the site for a Garand would never have seen it!
In the auction world it’s seller beware. The seller must be knowledgeable enough to get the goods in front of the right buyer. This seller failed is all.

And yes, the more I read the more likely this one will stay in my safe. There’s only 4 or 5 thousand floating around still, right? I can hardly let this one go with those kind of odds of even seeing another!

How are the reproduction M82 scopes by Hi-Lux?
Looks like an original is going to be in the $700 range on the cheap end. A reproduction is about $350.
Any thoughts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

How are the reproduction M82 scopes by Hi-Lux?
Looks like an original is going to be in the $700 range on the cheap end. A reproduction is about $350.
Any thoughts?

---

5000 of them floating around sounds about right to me if I remember correctly. I would stick to original scope if you find one, but that's just me

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jond41403

I would stick to original scope if you find one, but that's just me

---

I agree...for display maybe. But if I use it I'm not sure I want to be jarring around a $700 (and 70 year old) scope!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

I agree...for display maybe. But if I use it I'm not sure I want to be jarring around a $700 (and 70 year old) scope!

---

No I definitely wouldn't use an original scope to shoot with. I have heard horror stories of people doing just that and the glue between the lenses giving way and making little lines and crack looking things in your scopes glass.the 70 year old glue used on the lenses can't handle the recoil now

Sorry, I may have confused the Scopes, the lenses and glue issue can happen sometimes with the Pu scopes on mosins. I'm not sure if the same issue can occur with the Scopes used on M1c's. If I had an original scope though I don't think I would be shooting with it installed on the rifle even though some people have/do at the cmp shoots?

Got it.
But we’re definitely on the same page. Since I’m very unlikely to sell it, I think I’ll just go with the repro. I’ve read good things and I don’t need to impress anybody...I know the rifle is genuine and that’s what matters!

Bob, notice the Punch mark on the receiver ring and the 2/55 barrel date.

For the op any chance you would be willing to remove the handguard? There should be an A at the 12 o'clock position on the top of the barrel just forward of the receiver.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cplstevennorton

For the op any chance you would be willing to remove the handguard? There should be an A at the 12 o'clock position on the top of the barrel just forward of the receiver.

---

Of course! I’ll get around to that tomorrow and let you know.
What does that signify?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

Of course! I’ll get around to that tomorrow and let you know.
What does that signify?

---

We don't know, but I bet money it will have an A on it. lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cplstevennorton

We don't know, but I bet money it will have an A on it. lol

---

Haha, alright then. I’ll be happy to confirm that for ya!

Confirmed. There’s an A stamped right where you said there’d be.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

Confirmed. There’s an A stamped right where you said there’d be.

---

Yeah they are all the same. Same barrel dates, Same A, and same punch mark on the receiver ring.

I have one with a 12/54 barrel. But everyone I have seen has had a 12/54, 1/55, or 2/55 barrel dates.

You think perhaps it’s a quality stamping? These barrels were selected to go on refurbished M1Cs because of tighter measurements or something like that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

You think perhaps it’s a quality stamping? These barrels were selected to go on refurbished M1Cs because of tighter measurements or something like that.

---

It seems to be some overhaul program that hasn't been documented before. The Punch mark is most likely a proofing mark, stamped after it was proof fired. The A, we don't know, either an Armory stamp of some kind, or possibly even an individual inspector.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rcathey

How are the reproduction M82 scopes by Hi-Lux?
Looks like an original is going to be in the $700 range on the cheap end. A reproduction is about $350.
Any thoughts?

---

I've got a Hi Lux M82 replica on my replica M1C and I'd say it is a very nice scope. Optics are clear and it has been fine through a lot of shooting. I also have a real M82 scope waiting to go on a real M1C when I can afford one. The Hi Lux scope looks and functions very much like the real M82. Real M82 scopes are selling for $1400 plus these days. There is a guy on Gunbroker that is selling a couple of M82 scopes right now. He also has a B-prefix Lyman Alaskan for sale, which would also be appropriate for your rifle. I think he wants around $550 for the Lyman, and much more for the real M82s. Some guys also put M84 scopes on their M1Cs, but I think the M82s are more appropriate for a C and the M84 more appropriate for a D. The M84 scopes are less expensive, but still in the $700 plus range.

If you get a Hi Lux, there is also a guy on Gunbroker that sells reproduction rubber eye-cups for $30 that really make it look authentic. These are made from the original molds, so you can't really tell them from the originals down to the drawing number. I put one on my Hi Lux scope.

Here are a couple of photos of my Hi Lux on my replica M1C:
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ca_005XL-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ca_009XL-1.jpg

Looks like you scored a great deal on that rifle! If you decide to sell it, keep me in mind.:madsmile:

Ernest,

Thanks very much for the thorough reply! Lots of good information there.

As I stated, I do have a few bids in on some original scopes so I’ll wait to see how that goes. But I’m definitely leaning toward to the Hi-Lux for actual use.
Just need to get a cheek pad after that and I’ll be ready to make some noise.

Edit to add: the deals are out there! That’s the most fun part of this hobby. It’s literally like uncovering buried treasure.

Bonus check came in.
Yeah.
I’ll take up the role of caretaker on this one. Replica scope and cheek pad are on the way!