Originally Posted by
1903Collector
Is my understanding (from my aging memory of things "learned" some time ago) that flip sights (type 1) were used by all manufacturers up to the end, or almost the end of production. However, Inland and Winchester, which had the highest production numbers, installed type 2 & 3 rear sights starting, I think, in 1944 (the 5 million serial number range for Inland comes to mind).
Most of the other manufactures never converted to types past the first basic configuration (high-wood stock, type 1 handguard, push safety, and the aforementioned type 1 flip sights. Again there were exceptions late in the war. I think either Underwood or Q.M.H.W. may have upgraded to later types late in their production life. But I just cant remember with certainty, so take this as it is offered.
Type 2 & 3 rear sights were field or arsenal fit to many, but not all of these carbines, until they were obsoleted/surplused. I dont know if Carbines given or loaned to our NATO allies upgraded them during their resident time with them, but spare parts were included to each country. As to the practices when repaired and refurbed at the designated arsenals, replacement and upgrades were always a function of need and availability. So I have never felt comfortable to assume ANYTHING about refurbed weapons.
In my opinion, I also think your rather "early SN" carbine has all "as issued" parts in type and manufacture. Whether it is actually unchanged since date of issue or due to it being carefully restored to "as issued" configuration may be hard to say with any certainty these days. Signs of past "upgrades" can be found where the marks on the stock from a type 2 or 3 barrel band can be seen, signs of wear on the barrel from the bayo lug extension of a type 3 bayo band, staking marks typical for a type 2 or 3 rear sight...there may be others, but you get the idea. To me, that hardly matters. If the carbine is in "as-issued" configuration it is at the top of my ranking for carbines, past upgrade marks notwithstanding. I am also one who feels import marks actually increase the value (including surviving BLUE SKY barrels) as a type of provenance, to degree, since each importer sourced from one particular country (e.g., Blue Sky imports came from S Korea, another only from Italy, etc.) True, such marks may drop the market value a bit, but to all but those collectors who have three "must-have" criteria, CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION, it would be highly valued and hard to find!
