Bittersweet Acquisition

[imarangemaster]

The birch potbelly stock has a repaired crack by the recoil lug, high on the wrist, so I put it in a post-war walnut pot belly stock I have that is intact.* Pics soon.* Headed to the range tomorrow to shoot it.

[painter777]

I'm thinking maybe it is an ERMA barrel, maybe recently re-crowned. The SG has the purple trigger housing indicating possible German/Austrian use, and it has the distinctive collar in front of the gas block. According to M1 Carbines Inc. (see link) these barrels are found unmarked on some of these Ger/Aus Carbines, and they are the only ones with the distinctive collar. First three pics are Erma and show a bit of variation in the collar. Criterion and Green Mountain do not have the collar, at least in the pics I have seen. As for the SG being in a birch pot belly, that may have been switched out by my friend to have an M2 stock.

U.S. Carbines in Germany and Austria

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../ZmNA95g-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../qQWRdy1-1.jpg

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

My barrel:

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

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Ij0x3x4-1.jpg

Open to all opinions. The key, of course, is how does it shoot. That'sall that really matters to me!

Late info but I just found pictures of Criterion barrels and they are marked on the right side above the op slide groove.

Auto-Ordnance / Kahr uses or did use Green Mtn barrels. They use a cast gas piston housing
swaged to the barrel.

So I'd say we can rule out both as being possibles on your carbine. So far Erma appears to be the closest.

[imarangemaster]

YEP, thats what I suspect also. I have looked at pics of various Erma barrels, and there seems to be some variation in the size of the collar in front of the gas black. I believe Bill had gotten the Carbine from CMP when they first came available. Considering it had a purplish trigger guard, and according to M1 Carbines Inc., some of the the Carbines used by the Budeswehr in the 50s had unmarked Erma barrels, IIRC.

[painter777]

IRM,
Did you feel the earthquake today?

Have you got out to shoot 'Bill' yet ?

[imarangemaster]

Nope, I didn't feel it. Too far away I guess. As for shooting "Bill," I had to cancel my range session, as my shooting buddy's father ended up in ICU. I am scheduled to work as an RSO at the local Sportsman Club range later this month. Thought I would go in early and shoot it.

[painter777]

IRM,
Did you want me to come out and shoot 'Bill' for you?
Just wondering if you forgot about us.
Looking forward to the results.

[imarangemaster]

LOL.. Believe it or not, I have not had a chance to shoot "Bill" yet (or any other gun for that matter!). I have had to cancel 4 planned range trips for one reason or another. I have a new (to me) 1981 Ruger Mini-14 GB model and a new Riley Defense AK to shoot, also.

Being the Patriarch of the clan, for the last two months, on top of work part time at the gun shop, I have been "mechanicing" family vehicles and RVs, plumbing broken pipes, installing single point gas water heaters and gas wall heaters, traveling with my daughter to a distant equestrian endurance ride and running the camp for her while she rode, and cutting up and splitting 3 or 4 cords of oak with my wife, not to mention the numerous grandpa duties and kids basketball games. Oh I forgot, my wife and I also got COVID for the second time!

It looks like I may have a free weekend in about two weeks, though. We will see, and I will keep you all posted

[browningautorifle]

I also got COVID for the second time!

I did that too. Turned out to be just a case of the sniffles and runny nose for me. Long time ago now.

[imarangemaster]

Ours wasn't any worse that a bad cold for three or four days, but stayed positive for a dang week. It did, however, trigger a rather nasty Asthma attack that sent me to ER for a breathing treatment. Getting old sucks, sometimes!

[painter777]

IRM just be careful, Seems like when your really run down is when a sickness grabs on the hardest. Years back being my Daughters Equestrian Roadie kicked my rear end. But looking back, I'd do it all again if it didn't kill me trying.
We'll be patiently waiting....