Winchester Blue Sky import

[Aragorn243]

I rarely post on this forum, I'm a newbie with this type. I'm pretty heavily involved on the bolt action forums.

I have a few commercial rifles I've put up for trade and I've been offered an M1 that has a Winchester receiver and barrel and mostly Winchester parts. I do not yet know the condition of the rifle or if it has an original stock or Korean stock. I have no experience with these but would like to add one to my collection of representative rifles of WWI and WWII.

I've seen it said that Blue Sky is one of the least desirable import marks. Is that because most are worn out or is it that the worn out ones are less desirable or a nice Blue Sky is the same as any other nice import?

I've also read that Blue Sky damaged the barrels when they stamped them. Seems unlikely to me but as I said, I don't know much of anything about these.

My end of the deal is a $900 rifle. I'm thinking it would have to be a pretty nice M1 (import marked) to match that even up

I'm not a collector so to speak, I don't worry too much about all matching, etc, I just want a nice representative example. I have a lot of bolt actions but not many semi's. I asked him for photos so hopefully I'll have some reference to go by soon.

Information

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[Mikesm44]

I have no experience with these but would like to add one to my collection of representative rifles of WWI and WWII.


I've also read that Blue Sky damaged the barrels when they stamped them. Seems unlikely to me but as I said, I don't know much of anything about these.

I'm pretty sure unless you are speaking aesthetically the Blue Skys will not be representative of WWII M1. I'm not sure if you are talking about M1 Garands or carbines, but I know that there are some examples of import marked M1 carbine barrels where the mark did damage the barrel.

Without pictures or very good descriptions of the rifle it is hard to tell you what you are asking about. For an M1 Garand or carbine I think $900 is a little steep, but not at all the highest it could be.

[Bubba-7]

A Blue Sky selling on GB now would go for about $ 750. Plus shipping and FFL fee. so you are looking a $ 810.00 cost to get it to you. Winchester, well add $ 50.00 more for the name, so now you are at $ 860.
What you will get is a Korean War rebuilt carbine with a 50/50 chance, Blue Sky refinished the complete gun with light gray Parkerizing. There are some Winchester serial number more desirable than others. So let us know the first four number of it. To restore a Blue Sky to WWII look add $1K or more.

[Aragorn243]

It is a carbine. So far about all I know is it supposedly was made 43-44 time frame. As for looking exactly like a WWII rifle, I don't need to go that far. I don't have the budget to go that far. I asked for pics, haven't gotten them yet. If I can hold it and show the differences, that's good enough for my purposes.

How can you tell if the import mark damaged the barrel? Shooting it would be too late to find out.

[Mikesm44]

As far as I understand you should be able to see a bulge on the inside although it will be very subtle. It wouldn't be so bad as to be un-shootable, but it would effect accuracy a lot. That is what I understand anyway. You should be able to google it and find some info about it. I know I've see threads about them on other boards and maybe this one as well.

[Neal Myers]

It's not like there is a shortage of carbines without import markings; DCM & CMP have sold many, many of them, & they are out there.

Most Blue Sky carbines were sold or lent by the US to S Korea. The Korean Army used them hard, & most were rebuilt multiple times. A Korean repark is not durable; you can permanently mark the surface with your fingernail. (At least, I did.) When Korean Army armorers ran out of spare parts, they repaired broken parts as best they could. For example, I have seen broken bolt lugs that were welded back on the bolt, a dangerous practice that you would never see a USGI armorer do.

Doesn't seem worth while paying top dollar for a questionable gun that you're not able to evaluate.

Neal

[Aragorn243]

I would be able to see it before making the trade but it looks like I scared the guy off with my questions and photo request. He never responded. I'll give him a few more days before giving up on it but thanks for all the advice. If I get photos, I'll let you guys know.

[INLAND44]

Start going to gun shows early and watch for guys coming in with carbines to sell. You honestly never know what you may find. Vets are passing on every day and often the families just want to get rid of their stuff. Of course, if you don't know what you're looking at, you could make a $750 mistake. It would help if you could go with somebody who knows carbines. Or, you could simply go around the show and see what's available and talk to the sellers about them. Unfortunately, many sellers don't know any more than you, and others will try to sell you a dog. Even though carbines are always in demand, with the economy we now endure, there are bargains to be had.

[Aragorn243]

I can't afford to buy one, that's the problem. I have a couple of commercial rifles that are worth as much as a mixmaster carbine in good shape and that's what I'm trying to do, trade. I've had offers but they all seem to be bad examples.

[shadycon]

As Inland said, Go to any place where they sell guns and LOOK! See what the market is as with any thing else. As with any rifle, the more you know about them , the better chance you have getting a good deal. Wether buying or tradeing. Good luck. GK