M1 Carbine woodwork

I've been looking for a type two stock set for my M1A1 carbine for a while now, they rarely come along here in the UK with virtually all woodwork available Type 3 ( M2 cut) pot belly.

Having restored an M2 set a while ago, I luckily came across a very reasonably priced Type2 and two rivet handguard, both 'rather rough' and apparently unused. Covered in light dents and scratches all over.

HR Irwin (replacement) stock with no P or Cartouche makings and a RMC (Rock Ola) two rivet top cover.

I initially assumed the stock was Walnut, but it had been coated with a thick storage grease that had gone rock hard.

Having stripped, steamed and sanded the stock I came to the conclusion that the wood was Birch, so started dyeing the stock to match the Walnut two rivet top cover.

So far, 7 coats of raw linseed oil and she's coming up nicely.

looking good, now that you have refinished the wood it would be a good time to put the M1A1 back to it's WW-2 configuration. :clap:

Typical of the later stocks for the M2s, a classic birch. Looks good...not quite as common to see birch for the early M1 stock though.

Cheers guys, she's a few shades darker this morning too. I do find working with different woods facinating, they all respond differently.

By way of example, typical military Walnut or Beech just sucks up the first turps cut coat of raw linseed oil. Birch, it just sat there!

Birch seems to absorb oil ' very ' slowly, but it's really starting to darken now, going a lovely colour, with depth in the figuring.

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Originally Posted by lboos

looking good, now that you have refinished the wood it would be a good time to put the M1A1 back to it's WW-2 configuration. :clap:

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oops, My mind was on a M1A1 folding stock. :confused:

Here's the restored M2 woodwork alongside the original M1A1 stock

Two beautiful carbines mrclark, you've done a great job. I really like the ammo. pouch on the M1A1, think I'll try that also. :cheers:

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Originally Posted by lboos

Two beautiful carbines mrclark, you've done a great job. I really like the ammo. pouch on the M1A1, think I'll try that also. :cheers:

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Thanks Iboos same Carbine, different dress! The original leather on my carbine butt is rather fragile, so I carefully honeycomb leather oiled it, wrapped it and put the pouch over the top to protect it. The padding and pouch certainly give a better cheek weld.

Nice work on the stock, birch is always difficult to darken. I have a shell flame (both sides) birch M1 rifle stock that was
a gift from a 1st Sgt long ago, just used BLO on it.

So it's been sealed in a plastic bag covered in oil for 24 hours, colours going exactly where I want it to be and it's clearly not Birch or Beech.

The grain isn't quite right for Walnut, I'm currently thinking cherry, what do you guys think?

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Originally Posted by mrclark303

Thanks Iboos same Carbine, different dress! The original leather on my carbine butt is rather fragile, so I carefully honeycomb leather oiled it, wrapped it and put the pouch over the top to protect it. The padding and pouch certainly give a better cheek weld.

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I understand, same carbine diff. dress.
My cheek pad looks like it was replaced years ago ??? not sure, but still in good shape. it did have the wrong rivets in it, I drilled them out and ordered the correct rivets from ebay and replaced them with a small ball peen hammer and a center punch. I'm sure if you have enough cheek pad leather left you could make a pattern and replace it, maybe with some well worn leather ? an easy job.
A few pic's.

The original leather was cut to shape and stretched to fit. It did not have those forming cuts that you see in the photo. The bottom was a smooth fit. I believe the leather was also just a bit thinner.

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Originally Posted by jimb16

The original leather was cut to shape and stretched to fit. It did not have those forming cuts that you see in the photo. The bottom was a smooth fit. I believe the leather was also just a bit thinner.

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I said it had been replaced years ago, not original :rolleyes:.
So far today, your 100%. ;)

I think I'll just crawl back into my hole and not bother to come out again. BTW My old man was one of the original 101st Glider infantry when it was first created....

jimb16,
Your lucky to have a real WW-2 white tongue patch, the real ones are hard to find. no one really knows why that company came out with the white ones, it could have been a shortage of the red dye at that time, kinda like the lucky strike cig. co. in 1942 had to change from a green pkg. to a red and white color because of the shortage of the green dye for all the OD color for uniforms and web gear etc. just a guess ? different times.

The white tongue patches are more collectible, and if it were mine and had belonged to my dad no amount of money could buy it.
Would still like to see a pic. of it. ;)

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Here she is after her initial range outing, seen alongside a fellow Milsurpers beautiful Garand that I managed to eject a full Enblock worth of .30-06 into the mud by 'Carbine charging' instead of slapping the charging lever forward!!

All fingers and thumbs yesterday....

Groups slightly bigger than the M1A1 stock.....

delete

Nice lookin' pair. Nice material on that M1 rifle stock.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../RhS0uhM-1.jpg

forgot how to post pictures.....

While were into pic's. here's my two carbines, top M1 Quality Hardware, bottom Inland.

Very nice indeed, lovely Carbines!