M1A1 - Real or Fake?

[bkavanaugh]

I believe the number on the butt plate is incorrect. This butt plate is numbered "B357614." Original butt plates were cast "B257614." The pistol grip also looks a little new (look at photo 45). I believe the "RI" should be serifs and that isn't exactly clear in picture 9. Lastly, the crossed cannon cartouche looks a little big. I believe the larger crossed cannon cartouches on the second run M1A1s measure 0.50 inch. (Maybe it is just the angle of the pistol grip in photograph 18).

I could be completely all wet on this, but to me, this carbine looks like a mix of original and new.