ROCK OLA TEST MODEL #3 Carbine on GB

[painter777]

Just noticed this one.
When I blow the picture up I can see a 2 under the last T in TEST.
Milling under TEST looks strange.

M1 carbine Rock-Ola Govt. Test Model No. 3 : Other at GunBroker.com


FWIW,
Charlie-painter777

Information

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[Tired Retired]

Ok, I am in a mood, so let me say it this way...

Not saying it is and not saying it isn't, but for the $4000.00 starting price, you would think the seller would take some decent pictures....

Hmmm, wonder if the guy would try to sell a car with pictures that bad.

[painter777]

T-R,
Make that $4125.99 with the RESERVE NOT MET.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

If it is a test gun, don't you think it would a very early gun.

I don't see the opening down to the spring tube.

The font and letter size are different too.

$4,000 +, not for me.

[painter777]

Jim,
I can't see much of anything.
He states he's not an expert. But seems like he could get some decent pictures together of at least the exterior parts. Along with a description of any part markings also on the exterior. If there were any part markings on a TEST MODEL........ I don't know.

I just found this information on page 8 of The M1 Carbine Owners Guide by Larry Ruth and Scott Duff. They write about Winchester........

In preperation for production of the carbine, Winchester made a pilot model to prove the drawings. According to data located at the Cody Firearms Museum, this carbine was referred to as the "number 3" or Winchester "0". The information on this prototype is limited.
This carbine was fired at the Winchester plant on November 6 and 7, 1941. In total, 485 rounds were fired. Four failure to feed were experienced which were traced to the slide-receiver fit.

On November 8th, Winchester "0" was express delivered in care of the Commanding Officer, Springfield Armory. On November 11th it was tested alongside Inland's five tool room carbines at Springfield. The carbine failed the first trial for lack of power. The gas port was enlarged to 0.070", after which it functioned well. The six carbines were disassembled on November 12th and precise measurements recorded. The Armory conducted an interchangeability test on November 25 and 26 with the Winchester "0" and three Inlands.

The last information recorded on the Winchester "0" indicates minor modifications were made to the bolt on November 28 and 29, 1941. The carbine then just seemed to disappear into the fog of history. However, in 1997, the Winchester "0" carbine resurfaced as mysteriously as it had disappeared. This carbine is a "missing link" bridging the period between the TEST guns and the production guns.

Rock Ola came in the 2nd wave of carbine builders. I see no mention of any TEST or PROTOTYPE carbines coming from any of the later additional contractors.

I do have to admit that I love the grain pattern on the stock in the GB auction !

FWIW,
Charlie-painter777

[Faulkner]

Ok, I am in a mood, so let me say it this way...

Not saying it is and not saying it isn't, but for the $4000.00 starting price, you would think the seller would take some decent pictures....

Hmmm, wonder if the guy would try to sell a car with pictures that bad.

I absolutely agree with you. It's not all that hard to take decent pictures, with enough light AND in focus. I've bought a dozen or so guns off of GunBroker, but I plain out refuse to play in an auction if the pictures suck.

[Mikey51]

Something is not right there ! I agree, better pics needed.

[BrianQ]

Looks like a legit Rock-Ola test model.

[Bill Hollinger]

Looks like a legit Rock-Ola test model.

With just those lousy pictures you can tell that? It sounds like you might know more about this Rock-Ola Brian.....

[22mike]

The "TEST" stamping on the receiver looks amateurish to me. Just doesn't look right.