1st Carbine acquisition

[esu]

Gents,
picked up my first M1 carbine the other day from an old woman in the neighborhood. She found out I was a gun guy and wanted to know if I was interested in purchasing a "machine gun" from her. I obviously said yes and went to her house to check it out. It turned out to be an M1 carbine, Inland Reciever, with a 5-44 Inland dated barrel. It has the bayo lug and larger rear sight. The stock appears to be a Rock-ola that was re-worked at Augusta, AAM proof with 2 "P" proofs on the hand grip area, the handguard is a 4 rivet IO marked one, the crossed cannons are lightly struck and the rock-ola proof in the sling cut is Q-RMC. She said her husband brought it home from WW2 but since there were several firearms in the house I think we all know that wasnt a correct story. The bore is decent however the stock had a ton of "shellac" slathered all over it and even on a decent portion of the metal. I spent an hour or so with some denatured alcohol, acetone and a bunch of wrags and got about 95% of the shellac off and exposed a decent looking piece of wood. My buddy has a Rock_ola M1 with an Underwood (I think) stock so Im going to swap wood with him and then sell the Underwood and see if I can dig up a more appropriate Inland stock. Hmm I may even go totally radical and grab one of those repro paratrooper folders. The woman also had an unmarked 30rd mag and a 15 rd IA marked mag to go with the gun. I'll post some pics later when I get home. Trying to find someone with a go-no-go guage in 30cal before I shoot it. Any suggestions on what to do with the wood once I get it all cleaned up? linseed oil? Tung oil? Leave it as is? Oh, and it cost me $500, thought that was a fair price.
Thx Cory

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[us019255]

Any suggestions on what to do with the wood once I get it all cleaned up? linseed oilicon? Tung oil?

Yes, on the oil. You will find those who are fans of raw linseed oil, boiled linseed oil, and tung oil. Just be careful that you do not get "tung oil finish" or the like. They have some varnish mixed in and produce a different look. Clean, but do not sand. Have fun.

My personal choice is a number of thin coats of boiled linseed oil.

[frankderrico]

Cory, welcome to the forum. The Q-RMC stock would be made by Rock-Ola for Quality Hardware. Looking forward to the pictures.....Frank

[LeagleEagle]

Good score at a nice price!

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

What's the serial number range? 5-44 barrel guessing high 4MM low 5MM?

[esu]

Cory, welcome to the forum. The Q-RMC stock would be made by Rock-Ola for Quality Hardware. Looking forward to the pictures.....Frank

Gotcha, I thought it was the other way, made by Quality Hardware for Rock-ola? So it wouldnt be appropriate then for a rock-ola gun?

---------- Post added at 01:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:59 PM ----------

What's the serial number range? 5-44 barrel guessing high 4MM low 5MM?

Dont have the gun in front of me but it was in the 519xxxxx range I believe.

---------- Post added at 01:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Yes, on the oil. You will find those who are fans of raw linseed oil, boiled linseed oil, and tung oil. Just be careful that you do not get "tung oil finish" or the like. They have some varnish mixed in and produce a different look. Clean, but do not sand. Have fun.

My personal choice is a number of thin coats of boiled linseed oil.

I'll give the boiled linseed a try, thanks,,,,

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

You are right, not correct for a Rock-Ola.
RMC

[esu]

Attachment 30815Attachment 30817Attachment 30818Attachment 30819Attachment 30820Some photos dismantled but with the wood stripped down and awaiting the linseed oil.

[ChipS]

However, I am afraid you are now 'hooked'!!! Enjoy the ride.

[INLAND44]

Ye Gods! Soak that steel in some solvent oil for a few years and then work on it with a toothbrush. Seriously, I'm going to recommend something new here; use WD-40 on it and scrub with the toothbrush. I'm coming out against the WD-40 haters right now, so y'all gird your loins for some heavy action. And for the stock, you are nowhere near being ready for the linseed oil - you can still see the hard finish down in the grain. Use a stripper, maybe 'Citri-Strip' with a hand-held brass wire brush and scrub gently. Wash with really hot water. You most likely will have to stain the wood next. Don't do anything rash - you want to use an alcohol-based stain of dark red/brown. A few days after staining, take linseed oil and cut it 50% with mineral spirits. Brush on and let soak in for a few minutes, then wipe with cheesecloth. Repeat this until it stops absorbing.