All Matching Parts

[rocky321]

Would it make any sense to build an M1 Carbine with all matching parts? Say for instance, all Rock-Ola parts. Does it make it desirable as a collector, or just an overpriced wall hanger?

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[emmagee1917]

If you already have a mostly matching or most of the parts and it would give you joy , sure. If you don't , then piecing it together would be far more expensive than buying a real orig. one. But if you enjoy the chase , sure.Some things can't be measured by money. Just remember your put together will never be origional , at best it will be period correct , and while it may be worth more than a mixmaster , it would still be not up to a true collectable origional.
For example , look on my Underwood thread. It was missing the slide, bolt , mag catch, and bbl band. Those four parts will prob'ly run me $400 or more IF I can find them , and I'm not even going to fool with replacing the rear sight back to flip. I only paid $500 for the carbine complete. Will I try ? I've decided yes. I don't think I will loose money , but I'm not looking to rip someone off by later claiming it's an origional.
My take on it.
Chris

PS---WOOOO-WHOOO !!!! The seller just walked in with the missing type 1A band . Now all I need is the swivel and screw.......who has a few? Maybe George ?????

[G26ster]

Along these lines, I am putting together a "period correct" all matching Rock-ola. I got it from a fellow who got it as a "boltless" from the CMP (w/certificate). It had a Rock-ola receiver and barrel, but that was about it. I have since put all period correct Rock-ola parts in it. The parts I removed helped me dramatically put a CMP barreled receiver together though, so the expense was relative.

Just yesterday, I received a RMC Rock-ola stock, correct type II for my 4.5m, with very faint cartouche and RMC in rectangle. It also has a RIA rebuild stamp on the left side, and RMC in the slingwell. My question is, as this has become just a period correct carbine, and not an original, should I clean and refinish the rather dull and dirty stock, or leave it as-is. Frankly I'd like to clean the stock, but I don't want to dramatically lower the value if I do so.

Would appreciate any input to help me decide for sure.

[imarangemaster]

It is neat to have matching but not "correct as issued collector grade," but I would not spend a lot of money on it unless you feel a need. I got a CMP Inland racker that was all correct 12-43 Inland up top (barrel, receiver, bolt, slide, etc) except Type II sight and Type III band. I had a complete, correct for 12-43, Inland trigger housing on an import Underwood I had. It was 100% correct for 12-43 Inland except for push safety (which I picked up for $25). I put it together with the Racker upper for a mostly correct weapon. I even got a good buy on a mid-war Inland stock.

Is it worth more money? The fact that it has a ME of just over 1, and is an absolute tack driver makes it worth more than the Inland parts being gathered together. With that being said, I am glad I did it because my dad carried an Inland (transitional with type II sight and Type I band) on Iwo Jima. The more Inland I make it, the better as it is a personal tribute to him. I am building a shadow box to put it in with some of his stuff from the war.

[Hercules Powder]

If you enjoy making the carbine as complete and/or correct as you want it to be and if you can afford it, do it. If the parts you replaced increase in value more the than gun is worth when you are ready to sell it take those parts back off and sell them to the next guy. The guns sell the way it was when you got it and no one can criticize you for altering it. And, someone else gets the parts to upgrade their carbine to their liking.

In this scenario you would want to keep the parts that were on the gun when you got.

[LeagleEagle]

Over the past 4 years I've "restored" 9 arsenal rebuilt carbines to their" as manufactured state" using correct parts for the maker and period. I like to make them look like they've just come out of the factory so I've had them reparked and stocks refinished (the ones without a cartouche that is). It's just something I've gotten a lot of satisfaction from doing. Must admit that it was a whole lot easier to find the parts I needed 4 years ago. Here is my Rock-Ola. I bought it as a rebuild without a stock from a guy in 2006. Now it's all Rock-ola. The stock is a high wood RMC without cartouche that I bought. Sling is a repro. She shoots pretty nice too!

[Rustship]

And, it looks real nice.

[imarangemaster]

Very sweet!

[rocky321]

Very sweet!

And that's what I want to accomplish. Thanks guys.