M1 Carbine - Would You Buy This??

[browningautorifle]

Ah, now that takes me back to battle school.

Don't even get me started on that...too many stories of things that we saw...

---------- Post added at 08:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:36 PM ----------

The seller agreed to take it back

Then send it back...

[Patrick Chadwick]

My experience with using a bronze brush, was that it left some "brass color" on parkerizing which was not there before - use caution. I believe you could remove that with Sweet's Bore Cleaner or household ammonia. - Bob

Thanks for the warning! I have never tried brass brushes on parkerized metal., but on plain metal the brass color just rubs off.

---------- Post added at 10:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

Or is the rifle ruined? If so, what do you think it is worth in this condition?

So now we are back to the start.
No, of course it is not ruined as a shooter.
- But as a collector's item, apparently it is.

Then send it back...

.. is the regrettably correct decision - if you bought and paid for it as a collector's piece.

[Anton67]

I have decided to return it.
I actually improved the gun by removing much of the yellow.
The seller agreed to allow me to try and remove the yellow and if I wasn't satisfied I could return it.
I will be mailing it back today.

[shadycon]

Is that grinding marks on the slide??

[deldriver]

I have decided to return it.
I actually improved the gun by removing much of the yellow.
The seller agreed to allow me to try and remove the yellow and if I wasn't satisfied I could return it.
I will be mailing it back today.

I commented at first that it looked okay after you cleaned it, but after you posted the later pictures you did I can really see the yellow/gold hue it has. What was said above about not being ruined as a shooter, but being ruined as a collector in the best summation that can be made on it. Sorry you have to go through the hassle of sending it back. I'm glad the seller seems to be so easy to work with.

[tenOC]

Someone will still buy it, and love it. And someone else might part it out.

[Seaspriter]

Is that grinding marks on the slide??

Sure looks to me that a file was used on the bridge of the operating slide (forward of the handle -right side) and on the safety button (right side). I don't have a Winchester M1 Carbine, but I do have a Winchester M1 Garand (1943) and an Inland M1 Carbine (1943). Neither have the coarse tooling marks all over the receiver like Anton's. Looks like Quality Control was really pushing his through fast and furiously. This may have led to a later owner trying to smooth out the finish with a file, wire wheel brush, or something else, removing the parkerized finish and then coating it with some preservative that presumably would leave it looking silver (the chrome look).

It's the kind of gun that might be a very good shooter, but not a great collector's item and should be priced accordingly.

Good luck Anton.

[vintage hunter]

I have decided to return it.
I actually improved the gun

Had the feeling all along you were attempting to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and
for your sake I hope the seller doesn't crawfish on the deal now that you've ''improved'' it.

[Anton67]

Had the feeling all along you were attempting to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and
for your sake I hope the seller doesn't crawfish on the deal now that you've ''improved'' it.

I know what you mean but I saw an all correct original rifle and wanted to restore it to its glory.
I figured that I would take a shot.
As far as the seller crawfishing on the deal, I am sending it back on Monday (cant ship Fedex today).
The deal all along was that I had a five day inspection period with the seller's knowledge that I was going to attempt to remove the yellow.
If I did not like the gun after removing the yellow (or trying and being unsuccessful), I could send it back.
I told a little white lie in that I said that I wiped it down with CLP and most of the yellow came off.
I said I didnt want to use anything more harsh as I didnt want to ruin the gun (mostly true - I didnt want to try anything more harsh than the acetone).
Frankly, I DID make it look better IMHO.

Today I picked up a really nice Standard Products M1 Carbine to replace the Winchester.

[shadycon]

Anton; I have to give you credit; looks like you gave it a "good" try to clean it up. The seller should be happy with what you did as he should be able to resell, if the priced right.