Unsure if I should sell CMP Carbine intact or in parts?

[rod5591]

I have a mix-master M1 Carbine that came from CMP, and I cleaned and prepared her for action on the shooting line. Here is its history from the markings I saw:
- Started service in WWII.
- After WW2 it was rebuilt in the Augusta Arsenal al in 1945-47'
- Saw Service in the Korean War, then came back home to be rebuilt at Underwood Elliett Fischer in 1951
-The US loaned it to the Italian National police in 1963, and they used it for about 15 years of service.
- Rebuilt again in the Military Light Armament Factory of Terns Italy in 1979, then sent back to the US via CMP
Obtained from CMP. The stock is in Good Shape, the sling and oiler are there,It shoots well,
There are 10 of the 30-round GI mags, & 10 of the 15-round mags, all GI I believe, some with markings, others not. 2 USGI Jungle Clips. Underwood Barrel, 1944. Nat Postal Meter receiver 416097 Dec 43. Front sight Nat Postal Meter, "IN" on the striker , M bar on Magazine catch, D-7161843 SG on operating slide (Saginaw Steering Gear, Div. of General Motors), Bayonet Lug, Barrel Band A1, GI sling
It came from CMP with perforated metal hand guard, which I replaced that with GI wood (modern replica from Fulton Armory). The rear sights are not the original flip sights, they are the adjustable rear sights, they work fine but work loose after 10-20 rounds so I've held them in place with a think metal shim--works very good.
I have to and sell it. I don’t know if I should sell as a package deal, or would I do better to sell it piece by piece? Any advice or thoughts?

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[Patrick Chadwick]

they are the adjustable rear sights, they work fine but work loose after 10-20 rounds

These sights were usually fixed firmly by a couple of "dots" peened into the foot of the sight.

As for parts: if you ever want to complete a gun, you soon find out that individual parts can easily cost more than a complete assembly. To sell as a package means giving away the magazines too cheaply. From your description, the prime value is as a shooter. So, thinking back to what I was looking for when I started, I suggest the following:

1) "Shooter package" of carbine + 3x15-round magazines (about the minimum for a competition) + 1x30-round magazine for the "I always wanted to try one of those" fun factor.
The 15-round mags will not have a great value by themselves, but make the carbine more sellable for a "starter" package. Pick the mags without any markings, as that is irrelevant for shooting.

2) The remaining 15-round magazines as one item. Set a price and offer them at that price, less a little "because you're buying the gun" reduction as enticement, to whoever buys the shooter package - it might be someone like me who wants to shoot multi-distance competitions in max. 5-shot groups without reloading.

3) The remaining 30-round mags. Offer individually, haggle a bit if someone wants several of them.

I don't know your market, but over here this approach would achieve the best total price.

[Tom in N.J.]

I can not help you with a value or a marketing approach, as M1 carbines have been banned in my home state since 1990, effective 1991. Nothing was grandfathered, turn 'em in, sell out of state (1990-91) or register as an assault weapon ($50.00 each) or de-activate and register (free).

[cali201]

sell as a package with the 3-4 magazines as suggested, with the CMP paperwork it adds more value as a complete firearm. By they way, there were never any USGI "jungle clips".

[rod5591]

By they way, there were never any USGI "jungle clips".

Here are a couple of Pics--These are not GI issue Jungle Clips? The writing and language sure sounds like it!

[gew8805]

Nope, cali201 is correct. Remember, the modern maker can have anything stamped on an item that they want.

[Bruce McAskill]

1948 the carbine would have been rebuilt at Underwood. Augusta was post Korean war. It then would have gone to the Italian military who may have loaned it to the police. Then returned to the US military who gave it to CMP. And as gew8805 said as well as Cali, the so called jungle clip attachment for magazine was never made for or used by the US military.

[INLAND44]

Here's what would normally be done with the loose sight. First, it would be tightened up by peening the sight dovetails until it was stable but could be easily drifted. Then, with the aperture centered and in the low position (1-1.5), the carbine would be zeroed at 25 yds by drifting the rear sight base. Then the base would be marked and the sight tightened up for final assembly and pushed into the sight bridge with a pusher until it was indexed. Then it would be staked in place by using a round staking tool and driving steel from the receiver bridge into the half-circles on the sight base to lock it into position. The base could be in the center or to either side - rarely will they come out centered.
Having the CMP papers is a huge plus with this carbine. I think you should sell it as a complete carbine but sell the magazines separately. Package sales are money losers and many buyers don't even want the extra stuff. But you should be able to sell USGI magazines easily. If the 30-rounders are really GI, they will bring a good sum. But they're probably not. Ten 15-rounders should bring at least $150. You don't have to sell a magazine with it, so I wouldn't. You can probably get $750 for it pretty easily, maybe more.

[rod5591]

thanks to all who answered

[flyingmanx]

I have mentioned your Carbine to guys looking.
Not sure on the correct value, but it depends on supply and demand I guess.
I got a verity of values from dealers. However the Mags are bringing big bucks!!!!