Unknown (to me) carbine magazine

[Curt]

Haven't I seen US CO on WW1 Gear? Or was it USC CO Don't remember what.

[Bill Ricca]

The problem with markings is the authorized marks were different on different items. I will not go into the details as it was quite complex.

This magazine may have been made up as a "drop off". Although I have no actual records that can be confirmed, many items I have seen have been claimed to be one of them. A drop off occurs when an ordnance officer brings a requirement to a local machine shop and shows up a few weeks later to pick up a sample. I know of no instance where it led to a contract, and again, I know of no way to confirm this system. It is strictly claims made by the owners.

The strange thing about this magazine is if you cut away the fold over tabs
holding the floor plate, and install two slots in the body you have the actual body of this magazine. If you cut two holes in an early floor plate using a Keeler Brass floor plate, which some have no indents for ease of removal, you have this one. This magazine has a drainage hole in the rear of the body, indicating late manufacture.

There are also several different unmarked 15 round magazines. Some are production errors and I suspect there was a post war contract by Japan which were unmarked, as I have several that came in from Japan, on bid.

There are several followers that start more to the rear than others, but as I never checked out any large quantity, nor the different shapes, I have no knowledge of any that start at the rear.

I still think it is somebody's handiwork.

[dnikkor]

As always Bill, thanks for your expert opinion.

Did you notice from my original photos that this one has two holes on the back, the second one clear at the top? I also noticed that the keepers are not completely uniform as I have seen in my other USGI mags and also have small holes on the bottom of the keepers. The base plate also is less round at the end than the Type 1 mag's I have. The indentation at the end of the plate also is less pointed than the Type 1's I am used to and the magazine housing itself is beveled at the bottom rear. The housing is also the same height as a regular mag. It has been shot a good amount with the insides dirty and the spring mounted backwards.

I guess that this magazine will probably remain a mystery. I do think that Bubba went to an awful lot of trouble to get an extra $4.50 back when mags were $.50 a pop if that is where it came from. I think I've already got my $15 worth out of it considering I haven't loaded a round in it and probably won't.

Thanks again for your help.

[imarangemaster]

How long is the rear surface compared to a GI? It looks longer and rounded on the rear surface, instead of square. If it is longer, there is no way it is a modified GI as you can't stretch steel. Maybe a shortened early 20 rounder? The bottom hole could be a witness hole for the 20th round if the magazine was longer, then cut down. Just wondering.

[dnikkor]

How long is the rear surface compared to a GI? It looks longer and rounded on the rear surface, instead of square. If it is longer, there is no way it is a modified GI as you can't stretch steel. Maybe a shortened early 20 rounder? The bottom hole could be a witness hole for the 20th round if the magazine was longer, then cut down. Just wondering.

The rear is the same depth as a normal USGI and it is rounded as you noticed. I really don't think this is a modified mag, or at least from a 15-rounder.

I have only seen the prototype 20-rounders in photos. Does anybody know how the bottom plate was attached on these?

[rondog]

Eh, I'll give ya 20 bucks for it.....

[dnikkor]

Eh, I'll give ya 20 bucks for it.....

Eh, thanks but no thanks.

[Bill Ricca]

Without being able to certify an item, I always suspect foul play. It is possible it was a drop off item as originally described. (In my mind, I need proof)

[dnikkor]

Without being able to certify an item, I always suspect foul play. It is possible it was a drop off item as originally described. (In my mind, I need proof)

Well, whatever it is, it's nice to have an oddity like this for my growing M1 Carbine magazine collection. Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

[INLAND44]

I bet ya if you put it on Gunbroker and called it a rare Exp.,unseen tool room example of the bolt hold open mag for the T-3A4 sniper carbine your Grandpa snuck out of the factory during WW2 in his lunch box you could get your $5,000 and retire.

The follower is not a hold-open as is evident by the photos. I know this was said in jest, but it seems to be a persistent idea in this discussion. Anyone making such a claim obviously doesn't know what a hold-open follower looks like.