M1 Carbine stocks - Arsenal box of ten, still filled with five

Couldn't pass on this kind of time capsule - an original paperboard box from the Red River Army Depot. Not sure if the BR4 A/A 9/76 on the outside would date the box to September 1976, but at least a wrapping paper on the inside clearly has mentioned "AUGUST 1967" on it; that though possibly refers as to when the specifications for that paper were made.


It contained only five of the original 10 stocks that were in. Interestingly all five were re-milled to M2 configuration, and this in fact quite rough. Also the seem to have been kind of overhauled (possibly during M2 re-mill?) and mixture of about everything regarding stamps. They are in desperate need of oil prior to being re-used, and aside of the recoil lug (possibly needed as locking position when re-milled to M2?) all metal parts were removed.


Attached are pictures of the box as well as the five stocks that were in. Maybe someone else can tell me more on them. Among all five stocks only the first one was an I cut (and therefore pictured too).

Additional post for rest of pictures.

Looks like someone collected a group of five different inspector marks on replacement stocks...

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Originally Posted by Promo

Additional post for rest of pictures.

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On the NPM stock with the dark discoloration next to the sling cut - several years ago I saw a carbine at a gun show with that and the owner explained that it was caused from blood. Not sure if that was a "story" to validate it had been in the thick of battle, BS, or both. Anyone else ever heard that blood can cause that? Interesting stocks you have there. Thanks for showing them to us! - Bob

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Looks like someone collected a group of five different inspector marks on replacement stocks...

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Actually .. it is these five stocks which were never used, they came in that box. The box had contained 10 stocks, as stated on the outside, when the former owner bought it, still sealed. So not what someone collected, but how the arsenal packed them.

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Originally Posted by Promo

So not what someone collected, but how the arsenal packed them.

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Interesting how they're all different, not one inspector stamped.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Interesting how they're all different, not one inspector stamped.

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From different arsenals.
BA/JPL- Benicia Arsenal
AAM & AAG- Augusta Arsenal
RIA/EB- Rock Island

My guess all the arsenal's spares were collected, re-packed and eventually ended up at Red River Army Depot. Damn shame that they were all converted to M2 configuration.

@Bob, think the blood stain story is just BS!

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Originally Posted by Promo

Actually .. it is these five stocks which were never used, they came in that box.

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Actually, most of those five (if not all) were used since they show acceptance stamps by the U.S. government placed at the time they left the factories as complete new M1 Carbines. Some have acceptance stamps applied later as "rebuilds" at various arsenals as noted by Wayne. I think I see both types of barrel band imprints in the picture that shows the five in the box. Possibly, they would have been OK for use on guard duty, such as SAC bases, etc. but the early stocks without the "pot belly" are already pretty weak before having the bridge milled out. I've got an NPM stock with a similar stain, but likely from something other than blood. - Bob

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Originally Posted by USGI

Actually, most of those five (if not all) were used since they show acceptance stamps by the U.S. government placed at the time they left the factories as complete new M1icon Carbines.

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I think we are still talking of different things. What I had intended to say is that the five stocks this box came with, they were put in there by RRAD. Five of them got pulled for there was need for them. Yes, there is a huge variety in. I do know they are all mixed (and btw, if you look close you'll also see the I cut stock has not only been remilled to M2 configuration, but also "upgraded" to lowwood".


Personally I think maybe the used stocks that were still serviceable were re-milled to M2 (and lowwood) at RRAD and then put into boxes of 10 each. This is one of these boxes.

I did study your pictures (nice job on them) very closely the first day you posted the new thread. I was at the computer when I received the notice from Milsurps.

I think everyone is talking about the same things, and the part that interests me the most is how each of those stocks ended up at the RRAD and then the box of them on to Europe. Probably the first thing I noticed about the I cut was the "low wood" modification.

Been busy here with lots of stuff so waited a few days to see if anyone else was going to comment. I like the stocks - too bad they were altered with its affect on value, but I would still treasure them if they were mine. :thup: - Bob

If nothing else, it is a very interesting bit of carbine history. I just wonder why they weren't stamped RRAD anywhere if that is where they were modified.

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Originally Posted by jimb16

I just wonder why they weren't stamped RRAD anywhere if that is where they were modified.

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Pretty sure that when a rebuild facility stamped a stock it was to indicate that they had inspected or rebuilt a complete weapon. Don't think that would apply if they just modified a bunch of excess stocks. Then again who's to say that they even did the mods. All we know for sure is they packed them in that box.

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Originally Posted by USGI

I think everyone is talking about the same things, and the part that interests me the most is how each of those stocks ended up at the RRAD and then the box of them on to Europe.

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Sorry, then the misunderstanding was on my side - English is not my native language, so forgive me.


They ended up where they were for being given as aid post WWII. One of many governments which received weaponry as aid post WWII.

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Originally Posted by Promo

English is not my native language, so forgive me.

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You are forgiven! - we're all just a bunch of guys with similar interests in items like these, and trying to figure out in our own minds different ways it all may have taken place. - Bob

Nothing to forgive. Any of us could be right, but we could all be wrong. This discussion gives us all another thing to keep our eyes open for information on. It poses another question that we probably never even thought about before. Now you've given us another challenge and another learning opportunity. Thanks!