Rockola M-1 Carbine

[tx81]

I have seen threads on just about every carbine manufacture with the exception of one - Rockola. Are Rockola M-1 carbines THAT rare? My dad bought my grand-dad (his father-in-law) an M-1 carbine back when I was in elementary school. And yup, that was a day or two ago. A couple years back, my uncle returned the carbine to "our side" of the family, stating that he'd kept it as a varmint gun out at the ranch house. The carbine was clean, oiled, and in great condition. I even received the Army FM on it, too.

It wasn't for another several years that I began to take a lot closer look at the M-1 that I had. The serial number says it was manufactured in late '43 or early '44. I still use it as my varmint gun. It's still good for varmints - 2 or 4 legged ones.

But I will re-iterate my original question -- Are Rockola M-1 carbines THAT rare?

RR

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[stickhauler]

I have seen threads on just about every carbine manufacture with the exception of one - Rockola. Are Rockola M-1 carbines THAT rare? My dad bought my grand-dad (his father-in-law) an M-1 carbine back when I was in elementary school. And yup, that was a day or two ago. A couple years back, my uncle returned the carbine to "our side" of the family, stating that he'd kept it as a varmint gun out at the ranch house. The carbine was clean, oiled, and in great condition. I even received the Army FM on it, too.

It wasn't for another several years that I began to take a lot closer look at the M-1 that I had. The serial number says it was manufactured in late '43 or early '44. I still use it as my varmint gun. It's still good for varmints - 2 or 4 legged ones.

But I will re-iterate my original question -- Are Rockola M-1 carbines THAT rare?

RR

Well, Rock Ola made 228,500 carbines compared to Inland's 2,632,097. Commercial Controls production was 239. But if I remember right, they had bought out Standard Products, and completed that contract. I can't remember how many Irwin Penderson made, but their production (before Saginaw Gear took over their contract) was easily many thousand less than Rock Ola.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Saw this.

[dbarn]

Not as rare, but one of the most often faked. "Rock-Ola", the name invokes anything other than a gun manufacturer and epitomizes the neat period of history when mfg. companies came together for the war effort.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I don't want to say rare, but lower production for sure. Of the original prime contractors only Pedersen made less. And then Saginaw S'G' when they took over the Pedersen contract. But Standard Products is right there too. Then it jumps a bit to the next four makers.

Company history being a jukebox maker draws interest. And a cool sounding name. Maybe a lot of guys try to fake them for big dollar sales. But I think a lot just find one and want to have it with all the right parts. The issue is when it leaves that persons hands is it sold as a put together carbine. People who have carbine knowledge can pick it out, others may not, and get taken on the price. Still, I think everyone should have one or five.

Parts are harder to find and bring a higher price. Which now adds to a rebuild cost. It wasn't so bad some years back.

[Mikey51]

Hard to find an original. Pics are from my parts box. If anyone thinks they are not right please let me know ! Mike.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Mike,

Nice parts. That's a start. Only 20 or so marked parts still to gather to put it together. Now show us one you have in your collection.

If you want to see phoney examples of these, from our favorite seller, to compare.

M1 Carbine Rock-ola mag catch A-R : Other at GunBroker.com

M1 Carbine Rock-ola round bolt : Bolts at GunBroker.com

[Bruce McAskill]

I don't think that Rock-Ola carbines are rare,just that most seem to be in collections and just do not come up often for sale. Now Rock-Ola did not buy out Standard products and finish the contract. Standard products end their contract in April 1944. Rock-Ola ended their contract in May 1944 to try and break even on their costs. The only take over of a maker making carbines was Saginaw taking over the Irwin Pedersen contract and it was not because of problems with the IP carbines but with the management of IP who could not get their act together. The most faked part of a Rock-Ola is the stock and more have been fake then any other maker. The list of production figures is off on a couple of the makers. The S'G' production was 223,620 carbine shipped. IP is thought to have made at least 32,000 receivers but only assembled 3,542 Carbines none accepted by the gocvernment.

[jimb16]

When you talk about really rare carbines, you are getting into the realm of subcontracts and lineouts. Even many of the subcontract reciever carbines aren't what I would really call rare withe 25,000 to 45,000 produced. But lineouts can often be numbered at fewer than 1,000 produced. When you get to that level, then you can correctly say they are rare.

[Mikey51]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I've been thinking a Rock-Ola spring tube was the rarest, even when you take I.P. into consideration ? (unless someone comes up with a CC ?. ). Cheers all.