M2 carbine stock markings

[gunsdora]

I had another look at the stock with the K in a circle. I put some pics up. It looks like some one took some finish off on the 2 sides by the butt. It could have been some paint that was removed ( Korean paint maybe ??). They did not touch the cross cannon. The cannon is .086'' I think that is for Inland. The pistol grip on the left is with the K . the other is also a M2 stock with the OI stamp in the sling well & a Inld cross cannon cartouche on the right side.

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[USGI]

I went back and looked at some pictures of Keystone '03 and '03-A3 stocks. The K's look completely different than the ones on the carbines. They must be Korean. - Bob

[Bruce McAskill]

Overton had no problems making M2 stocks for Inland and was not the only supplier to Inland at the time as HI stocks were also in the mix. I would not be surprised if M2 stocks that were made here during the war and went to Korea that went through a rebuild in Korea were stamped with the circle K. Any stock that was not in acceptable condition and was replaced by a new one made in Korea may not have been stamped as such. None of the M2 Korean made stocks I have seen have had the circle K in the sling well. I will say I have only seen maybe 6 or 7 of them over the years and not a one was walnut. Someone called it Foo wood but I doubt that is the correct name for the wood.

[browningautorifle]

Foo wood

Perhaps Chu wood?

[USGI]

One of the carbine books mentions Kapur wood used in the Korean stocks - wonder if that's a different name for the same wood Bruce is talking about? - Bob

[painter777]

Dan,
What are your thoughts to the Circle K ? and CC?

I stumbled upon this after our PM,
Same company??

[new2brass]

Dan,
What are your thoughts to the Circle K ? and CC?

I stumbled upon this after our PM,
Same company??

http://www.billricca.com/trans2/carb_band_spg.jpg

Bill had said Beverly Mass in one post which may be in error.
Checking War time producers that had contracts over a certain amount that there are several Keystone names all over. There is a Keystone Mfg in Boston as you show on wrapper. There were 3 contracts listed for stocks (as Bill stated) all worded a little different, Rifle stock, Gun stock and I believe just stock.

My observations on stocks with K in circle is that all of them are orientated as if butt is to ground.
All had at one or two numbers. Some with a letter. I have to check again but believe all numbers and or letters are 90 degrees to K
Looking at OP stock I see the numbers 1 and 7. The fonts look consistent. The O however differs, it is also tilted making me fairly sure it is not OI. Is it an O,0 (zero)

I have read several posts claiming IO in slingwell with the K. None show pictures except this one.

Some report rebuild marks. So going forward I will keep track. This way if we can put a timeline to those rebuilds we can narrow down production date.

Package above shows if same company had contracts in 49 or after due to drawing date

Now to the CC, with the exception of this one and possibly one other claiming IO in well, non talk about CC.

Looking at the OPs CC I have to ask does any of the knowledgeable guys believe this to be a CC from Inland factory?

[W5USMC]

My circled K stock came from the CMP back in 07 or 08 (Italian Return), no rebuild marks on the stock, no OI in sling well.

Attachment 95213

[painter777]

Package above shows if same company had contracts in 49 or after due to drawing date

From Mr. Ricca's description:

Band Retaining Spring, late issue.
This spring eliminates the WII problems in retaining the band.
Date shows it was developed in 1949, but internal packing shows 1952 production.

[deldriver]

Interesting resurrection of an older thread. I wish I could find the Gun Hub threads again that delved into the subject of the circle K stock. Personally, I do not believe they are Korean made as has been mentioned, but also admit no one knows for sure. Too bad Bill doesn't post on many in any sites any longer, he had a wonderful amount of knowledge.