Detroit Surplus M1 Carbines

[goldbill]

I have one of the M1 bought thru Zanders, an Underwood receiver and barrel, selected by me for fit and finish and hand picked by Zanders. I have a picture attached, from what I have read, the numbers, 14302, could mean 14th precinct, 302 rifle. If so, isn't that the precinct the riots started in, the 14th. Also, per my pic, what does the number 74 mean?
And, what is this stock? It looks like a cherry wood finish, any ideas.?
No moniker in the sling well, what does this mean? did the carbine go directly from the US armory to the DPD. No re-entry marks on barrel either.?
I appreciate any input here.
Regards, goldbill.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[tenOC]

Is 14302 also stamped on the left side of the receiver? There should be a number stamped there if it's a DPD rifle. Mine has a Dutch stock made of European Walnut. It's a nice grain on mine. I'd say yours is more likely to be 16th precinct? Car or rack 74.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Welcome to the carbine forum.

I have little experience with the PD carbines. Hopefully someone will post things they may know about them. And there are a few forum members near your area.

I look forward to more detailed pictures.

[tenOC]

Here's a discussion from a DPD officer about the Carbines we had a few yrs back.

The Detroit PD received their M1 Carbines in the late 1960s, but not all of them were USGI. A small number of them were Plainfield and other commercial manufacturers. Not sure how much help this is, just sharing a bit of information.

The grips were stamped with the precinct and the rack number. I can't remember which one was on top. That's either gun #5 from the 12th Precinct (Woodward and 7 Mile) or gun #12 from the 5th Precinct (Jefferson and St. Jean, where they make Jeep Cherokees).

They renumbered the precincts in the 80s or early 90s, before I came on, but Conant and Davison would be the 11th Precinct. Now, it's in a newer building on Nevada by Mound. The last few years they've been combining and splitting the precincts over and over. The 11th Precinct is now known as the Northeastern District, it's a combination of the old 7th and 11th Precincts.

Your gun is from either the 5th Precinct (now known as the Eastern District, a combination of the old 5th and 9th Precincts), or the 12th Precinct, which is once again the 12th Precinct, as they're dividing the districts back into precincts.

Here's a map of the old precinct boundries:



And I THINK this is a photo of the Conant and Davidson building you're speaking of:

[USGI]

Here's another thread that you might find interesting - some overlap with what has already been posted, but well worth a look! - Bob
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=52802&page=1

[ed skeels]

I was acquainted with a Dearborn Heights officer years ago. He said that he was issued a carbine during the 1968 (?) Detroit riot.
Some of the stories he told of that time were scary as hell, if true.
No mention of manufacture, but he did retain it after retirement.
Ed

[goldbill]

Thanks to for your input.I'll be able to post pics in a few days.
So,16 is the precinct,74 is the Rack or squad car AND THE LONG NUMBER seems to be SN.

[goldbill]

I had attached one pic prior, today I will add some more.The SN is scratched? onto the rear of the receiver, just ahead of the rear sight.I see no cartouche in the sling well. Any ideas on the type of wood? Looks kinda like maple, but I don't now.
Any and all thoughts welcome.