My first Carbine.....how did I do?

[High Desert Kid]

Hello everyone

I received half an AR15 for my 16th B-day and have enjoyed it quite a bit but never really fell in love with it. Over the 4th I spent a few days with my buddies family, I brought my AR and he brought the M1 Carbine his dad gave him. While out shooting we kept swapping with each other and I fell in love with his Carbine, after we would always say we liked the others better, by Friday we had finally traded.

Before I got home pops was a little upset after I texted telling him what I did since I saved up for half the AR and he made up the rest for my B-day. When I got back and he saw the Carbine he flipped out, I think he was more excited than I was and wouldn't put it down, then when my Gramps saw it he got pretty emotional, his exact word was... FANTASTIC!

My Gramps used a Carbine in Korea as did my dad while in Vietnam, I grew up hearing them talk about everything and for the last two days I heard many of those stories again. Great fun!

The AR was about $600 and I later bought a red-dot for about $200. I think I did great getting the Carbine and couldn't be happier as is, in fact my gut tells me I got the better end of the deal. But I guess I would like to know if I did ok from a financial standpoint.

I got the Carbine and something like 6 bandoleers of ammunition (I also shot 3 over the 4th)
14 used 15 round magazines, some are nearly perfect and some are beat up
1 used 30 round magazine but in nice condition
10 new 15 round magazines in a sort of wax paper
9 new 30 round magazines in an oily kind of paper

The Carbine is a Winchester and we looked on line finding it was likely made in 1943
Is there anything I should look for specifically on it to help place a value?
If there a good source to help determine value?

Ill post some pictures here in just a bit.
Thank you for any info and direction, much appreciated.

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.

[High Desert Kid]

---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------

[rcathey]

You did very well on the trade. At current market prices you definitely got the good end of the trade and what’s better, this will rise in value where the AR wouldn’t significantly.

[mmppres]

You got the top end deal there. take care of that rifle an it will keep working alot longer that that ar would

[Bruce McAskill]

The paper wrapped 30 round SEY magazines would be a minimum of over $50 to $75 each. Unopened 15 round magazines would be in the $30 range. Used ones for say $10 to $15 each and that's conservative prices on most all the magazines. The carbine is a real nice rebuild and in excellent condition. Value on it would be in the $1000 range +. You did very well with your deal congratulations.

[Jdmyrm]

Beautiful!

[Snowman1510]

Nice Going kid!

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Welcome to the forum.

I agree with everyone else, you made out fat.

You have as much value in the mags as you do the carbine.

War Baby three shows the date all the Winchesters had their receivers stamped. That doesn't mean built and issued, just the stamping of the receiver.

Nice deal.

[painter777]

14 used 15 round magazines, some are nearly perfect and some are beat up
1 used 30 round magazine but in nice condition
10 new 15 round magazines in a sort of wax paper
9 new 30 round magazines in an oily kind of paper

Welcome !

List the markings on your 24-15 rd Mags
If all of your 10 - 30 rd mags are SEY marked

Do a google search: Sey 30 rd magazines
Learn the difference between SPLIT BACK and HARDBACK 30 rd Mags.
Hardbacks are not as common as Split back, so.... more valuable.
Rare markings on the 15 rounders can bring a $ premium also.

Using average values more than likely just your mags are worth 2 of the AR's cost.
Good for you..... Hoping you guys are still friends !

[High Desert Kid]

Thanks for the info thus far
I had no idea this is all as valuable as it seems.

I googled and per the pictures that came up it seems that all nine of the oily paper wrapped 30 round mags are SEY hardback (the one used one is a splitback).
I found on some auction sites they actually sold (not just listed) for over $100 each....surprising.

The ten new 15 round magazines in the wax paper wrapping have SY-B on the back.

The other 15 round magazines have
R-O
UQ
BW
IU (inside a circle)
SL (sideways)
IA
UN
IS
IU
KI (upside-down)

ETA
Also, I was wondering if anyone could steer me in a direction to finding an actual WWII era bayonet that would be correct, as well as mag pouches and web belt. I searched around for several hours today and I was pretty much overwhelmed trying to figure out what was real vs reproduction, WWII vs later, etc.