Need Help with correct Stock and Handguard for an Early Winchester

[eplexus]

Greetings,
I picked up my first M1 carbine at my LGS. I got it fairly cheap because it was bubba'd up a bit for a homemade scope mount. Shoots and functions well. Bought it because it looked early and appeared mostly correct. (still have lots to learn though)

It's a Winchester, s/n 10807xx. The barreled action and trigger group look correct to me, except for the front and rear sights.

Besides being chopped for a scope's objective, the handguard is a two rivet marked Inland.

What is the correct Winchester handguard? I know it should be a two rivet, but I don't know if it should be deep groove, shallow, bullnose, or ???

How about the stock? "I" or oval? It has an oval and high wall, but it was chopped on the left side for the scope mount. Other parts are wrong too. Inland type 1A barrel band, SG recoil plate, ect.

Thanks for the help,
Eric

Information

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[ABPOS]

The parts aren't necessarily "wrong". If I'm correct. I forget the actual deal with all that, but I'm pretty sure they sometimes had mismatched parts. Especially if it was arsenal rebuilt. But I think some of them came that way. Because they had a bunch of people making the parts, and then they would grab from whoever was done first to build rifles. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong about that, but I'm pretty sure subcontractors would make some of these items, stamped them with the name of the contract, but then some of those parts would get shipped to a different manufacture due to need.

A high wood stock is good for WWII. I don't know about the upper stock though.

I've been out of the game a while and I haven't done a lot of studying on it lately, so someone can correct me if I'm all wet please. But to my recollection, what I said above might have some truth in it.

[eplexus]

Thanks for the reply. My first goal for the stock and handguard, is to replace them with originals, whose types would be consistent with the initial date of manufacture.

My only reference right now is Canfields which says HW, oval cut stocks after 1100000, and two rivet handguards. No mention of groove style for example. Not sure how current this info is or if there is any over lap. Oval cut stocks would be easier to find if its possible my rifle could have originally had one.

[USAFChief]

As I have said previously:

When evaluating a USGI (non import) Carbine that has parts and/or finish that do not conform to orginal manufacture specifications, consider that during its service lifetime it may have:

1. Been used in combat in WWII and had parts (randomly selected without regard to manufacturer) replaced by Field Maintenance.

2. Undergone Arsenal/Depot rebuild* after the war (randomly selected parts without regard to manufacturer).

3. Been returned to service in the Korean war and again had parts (randomly selected without regard to manufacturer) replaced by Field Maintenance.

4. Been rebuilt* by an overseas Depot (randomly selected parts without regard to manufacturer) Note: stock not stamped as rebuilt.

5. Been returned to service again as, for example, a Firing Range carbine and had parts (randomly selected without regard to manufacturer) replaced by Field Maintenance.

* Rebuild might have included Stock/Handguard replacement, barrel replacement and re-parkerizing.

OR .......... parts may have been replaced and/or refinishing performed by a subsequent civilian owner after the carbine's service lifetime.

Of course, it is now your carbine and you can re-configure it and/or re-finish it as you please.

[eplexus]

My carbine, has the plunger safety and old style mag release, no "M". If this rifle went through arsenal or depot rebuild, would the safety and mag release been replaced with the newer styles?

[USAFChief]

My carbine, has the plunger safety and old style mag release, no "M". If this rifle went through arsenal or depot rebuild, would the safety and mag release been replaced with the newer styles?

Yes. Visit the top linked page in my signature block below.

[eplexus]

Great page Chief! Thanks for providing it.

[Bruce McAskill]

If there are holes drilled on the side of the receiver then there is very little if any collector value left in the carbine. Would be better to leave it as is and enjoy it as a good shooter.

[ABPOS]

Sadly, mine is that way.......

[eplexus]

If there are holes drilled on the side of the receiver then there is very little if any collector value left in the carbine. Would be better to leave it as is and enjoy it as a good shooter.

I fully appreciate that. I'm not trying to restore this rifle into a high end collectible. The handguard is chopped, it looks like crap, and I don't enjoy it.

It's going to get replaced. Since I'm replacing it anyway, it only makes sense to spend a little extra effort to choose one that matches what originally came on it. My problem is that I don't have enough handguard knowledge to make that choice.