M1 Carbine Field Maintenance

[USAFChief]

.......... Be nice to see the complete stocks. Looks as though he may have some nice wood there...........

I will take better photos Charlie (if I may) and post them whenever I get a chance. The ones here were taken at different times and under different lighting conditions and backgrounds.

The WWII era carbine (Top header photo on my web page) was assembled from parts and I think it is pretty historically correct. I bought it from a member of the Arizona Arms Society at a meeting in Phoenix several years ago. During the meeting I mentioned to a friend of mine that I would like to have an "historically correctly configured" WWII era M1 carbine - a fellow member overhead our conversation and said he had one for sale ($700) if I was interested. "Very Much" I said. He lived quite near to the VFW Post and so we were able to consummate the deal when the meeting ended. He told me he had built up the Carbine on an early Inland barreled receiver (see first photo below) using historically correct USGI parts including an original "I cut" Overton stock that he had lightly sanded and treated with raw linseed oil. I wanted to ask him several questions regarding his restoration, but it was getting late and we had to drive back to Tucson. I thought I would ask those questions at the next meeting, but I was suffering from kidney stones at that time which now required surgery (eventually prostate surgery/low grade cancer). By the time I was able to attend meetings again the gentleman was no longer a participant and I lost contact with him. Any way, I really liked the carbine -- I think the restorer was very meticulous and conscientious in his work. As far as I can determine, all the parts are historically correct and USGI. I think the stock is quite nice as depicted in the following photos:

I bought the Post WWII Depot rebuild (Augusta Arsenal) carbine (second header photo on my web page) because it looks exactly like a typical SAMTU M1 Carbine that we used for qualification in the 1950s and 60s -- the appearance (finish) of the stock is about right with the requisite dings and scratches. It is a 4m. serial number range National Postal Meter carbine with (what I believe) is an original "I" cut Trimble stock. Unfortunately, the cartouches are quite faint, but the proof and rebuild stamps are bold and clear.

JP