Noticed a couple odd things about an M1A1 for sale online.

[HDSledge]

There is a M1A1 on sale online at gunbroker ($3k with 3 days left) and I noticed something that seems off. I am new to these so I could be all wrong about it.

I read that the cutout section of the stock left side where the cheek pad rests is supposed to have smooth flowing curves in the first production carbines. This one has sharply milled edges in that area same as the reworked stocks have. Am I wrong or is that not correct for a first production paratrooper?

Also noticed that the cheek pad doesn't fit the cutout when the stock is folded. On mine it fits exactly in the right spot.

In another pic it looks like the leather pad is not fitted well to the base metal.

The sling has absolutely no wear at the points you would expect even if lightly used.

I've been looking at details of these for a solid week trying to determine if mine is legit and now I am noticing oddities in many online examples. Has my imagination gotten the better of me?

Inset for tubular stock was milled, leaving pronounced edges as opposed to smooth curves. (From uscarbinecal30.com)

Information

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[HDSledge]

My OCD about minor details has taken over. Further examination of the pics reveals a plethora of differences. At least with mine.
First pic:
Orange lines: The curve at the end of the forestock on mine is gradual and does not reach the barrel at 90 degrees. The one for sale has a more distinct round curve reaching the barrel at more than 90. The area at the top on mine is not curved but is mostly straight while on the for sale one is curved all the way around top and bottom.
Green arrow: My carbine barrel band has a faint mark while the for sale one has a distinct modern die or machine mark in the top curve. (same as the one on the cheek plate)
Red arrow: Sling terminator tab on mine is flat all around, other one is rounded and not stamped as flat throughout.
Blue arrow: Snap on mine has a tiny dent where the 2 halves were pressed together. For sale one has a raised dent in 2 places. Also I see some brass showing through and one that unused should not, mine is 73 years old and the finish has not worn away to show brass. (sling does not look 70+ years old nor does the leather on the cheek pad)
Purple arrow: No id stamp on swivel on the for sale item.


Second pic:
Red Arrow: Machine mark to secure cheek plate is very distinct and just like the one above on the barrel band. Mine has a mark but it is a simple indent.
Blue arrow: Curve of the folding wire stock starts farther out and is sharper than mine which starts right at the exit from the plate.
Green arrow: Rivets on the for sale one look like they are not brass or have been parkerized. My example clearly shows brass rivets.
Overall the cheek pad plate doesn't seem to fit as neatly as mine does and is not mounted in the correct position to let it rest in the cutout when folded. However the way it was made would not let it be moved back to allow correct fit.
Also the wire stock is not the same color as the cheek pad plate on mine but the for sale one looks like it was all made together same origin and finishing process (oiler too from the look of it).


I realize many manufacturers took part in making these and some differences can be explained by that but there is too much oddity here. Looks like this one for sale was rebuilt with new(er) wood and metal stock parts. I could be completely wrong of course and I won't be upset if I am corrected. More knowledge is a good thing in case I ever see another one so feel free to pile on with opinions or pics to prove me wrong.

[Bill Hollinger]

It all looks right as rain to me.

[lboos]

I am new to the M1A1 stock, but with what you say and the great pic's you have shown I will have to agree with you, look's like a lot is wrong with that gun, good job.

[Flying10uk]

HDSledge, are you able to clarify exactly which pictures in post 1 are your gun and which belong to some-one else which they are trying to sell, please? Is the first picture some-one else's gun which is for sale and the remainder are pictures of your gun?

[HDSledge]

I am new to the M1A1 stock, but with what you say and the great pic's you have shown I will have to agree with you, look's like a lot is wrong with that gun, good job.

Thanks lboos. Now that I am also convinced I feel kinda bad for whoever is bidding. Someone did a fair job putting it together but the fine details give it away. I am sure it is still worth a pretty penny since almost everything else looks ok. Now I understand what everyone has been saying about the market for these. You have to be extremely aware of fine details since many more are out there than were originally built I have been told. How much is the price difference between a legit M1A1 paratrooper and a regular M1?

Hey Bill take another look at the details. Here is a pic of a the stock folded. The one pictured above doesn't fit. Can't be original. Below is a pic of the recoil plate cap on the one for sale. No way that was passed by ordinance inspectors. That has to be an aftermarket repro part or the stock is. No way they came off the line together.




Flying1Dulk: The top pic in post #1 is a reference pic from uscarbinecal30 showing a milled cutout, the rest are of the for sale gun. In post #2 my gun is on the top in the pics and the for sale gun is on the bottom.

[HDSledge]

Mine is the inset. Mark is also shown on the reference pic in post #1.

[HDSledge]

Buttplate. Mine on top. The for sale one below has finer casting and a fatter rounded edge. Most evident at far right in the pic.

[lboos]

I would stay away from this gun, to many things wrong.

[HDSledge]

I would stay away from this gun, to many things wrong.

Everytime I look I see a problem: Notice the star symbol on the buttplate? Different on the for sale gun. That one is only an asterisk and the crossed lines are oriented at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 o'clock instead of properly at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 o'clock. According to uscarbine30cal.com all of these were cast by the same foundry.

AND: The jump case (not pictured in the thread) looks like current production repro. too. The one snap has brass showing through as if paint flaked off. If it is unused (and it looks it) there would be no brassed area from wear or use.
edit: not sure about this item.
Current bid over $3,000. Auction ending time 7/31/2016 9:00 PM
Bid snipers always wait until the last few seconds. We will see what happens Sunday night. Hopefully genuine collectors will notice what I did and stay away but I feel for the poor bidder who thinks he is getting the real deal based on the description and previous sale slip shown for $6500.