M1A1 Value?

[Zoo Guy]

I bought a M1 Carbine paratrooper in a lot of guns that I purchased. After taking it to a couple gun shops I got a variety of answers on price... I was hoping that someone here could give me a difinitive answer. I have taken it apart to try to get stamps off of the parts and have gotten a few.
The serial # is 5219945, and the barrel is stamped Inland with the date 5-44. The inside of the Handguard has L-J, the trigger assembly has inland, Hammer has H.I., front site has an N, Operating rod has a .U., Bolt has an I or an H on the raised part and a possible AOB on another part?, I could find no marking son the stock... The bottom of the grip has a marking on it, but appears to have been rubbed by the bottom of the folding stock and is not readable, possible B or 3? Butt plate has B257614 a wheel and number 9. Safety has a circle with something in it and an I.. Mag release has an M or W and an MA. ring around front of stock has AMCO. Stock seems to be very used and has quite a few dings and scrapes on it. Back site LR CO. 7160060. I may be able to find more stamps if given direction on where to look, I have taken it apart twice and am comfortable with doing it again. Leather on stock looks to be original, no oiler. I have pics, if they would help I can email them to you.

Information

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[Bill Hollinger]

It is hard to give information about these when there are no pictures to go along with it. Yours sounds like a typical post war rebuild with a mixture of parts from different makers. There are factors that dictate value like if the stock is real, the finish is original, the barrel is original (that date seems late for the serial #) It could be worth a bundle or it could be worth very little. I wish I could be of more help. Others may chime in with more information for you.

[Zoo Guy]

I have pics of this gun if anyone is interested
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[Rob13]

It appears that one of the most valuable parts has been chopped off at the front, that being the stock. Would cut value greatly. Maybe $1k-1500 for one who had to have the parts or had correct parts to make it good again. Just a guess. I have seen pretty good ones with good stocks go for $2k-2500 at gun shows.

[Zoo Guy]

I hadn't even noticed that while doing my searching. It looks like it must have been cut off and re finished as well. Thanks for the info.

[Zoo Guy]

If anyone else has any input about this gun it would be appreciated, I have all the pictures posted at;
ImageShack® - Gallery

[Cass]

Zoo Guy:

Here is a link to the CMP auction page that you can use for reference. It will give some gauge as to what they are selling for, but take into account that rifles from the CMP tend to bring bring higher prices.

Auctions @ ODCMP - Promoting firearms safety training! - Auction

The link is to the completed auctions and I sorted it by lowest price first. You need to disregard the prices under $2,000 because they were the result of a computer glitch early in the year that ended up with the final prices not being listed. But starting with the $2,005 and going up you can see what the carbines in various condition brought.

If I had your carbine I would make a repair under the front band and splice on the tip of another Inland stock.

Cass

[Rob13]

I hadn't even noticed that while doing my searching. It looks like it must have been cut off and re finished as well. Thanks for the info.

A very good wood worker could take another regular stock and piece in the front to make it look and function right, but then it would be a repair and still lessen the value. A mint stock less folding metal just sold on eBay, for good price.