eBay M1 Carbine Stock - another Circle K marking?

[USGI]

This carbine stock is ending soon. The markings are interesting. We've talked about these before. Painter777 - what do you think? Any comments? - Bob

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Inland-M1-C...k/254644000750

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[painter777]

$275 + for a Circled K stock, m2 cut with long channel.
These stocks are most often thought of as being post WWII production.

But I agree with observations made by Bill Ricca, who said:

"I need more documentation to prove it, but I think it may be Keystone Manufacturing from Boston, Mass during WWII. Keystone had two other stock contracts, one which I can identify for the 03 series rifles.

Keystone had a "Stock Assemblies" contract from 10/44 thru 5/45. The time puts it in line with M2 Production. Can't prove it yet, but it makes sense.
I doubt it is post war due to the location of the markings"

My observations,
These are most often found with the circled K in a upright position near the bottom of the slingwell when the buttplate is face down, stock stood upright. Often found with 2 numbers stamped in random positions above the circled K. Sometimes seen with just one number and a letter stamp. One of these numbers could be a 2 digit.
I've seen as high as a number l0 stamped. These random letters, 2 numbers or letter and number are thought to be inspection, station, shift or batch codes.
I've heard of some being reported on late Inland M2 carbines with 'thought to be real Inland CC stamps'. I have not seen one.

Question why a circled K stock would have a OI, Overton for Inland stamp in the well.
Possibly a late war transfer stock? If a transfer why would there be a OI stamp? Shouldn't be if OI didn't make it. If a Circle K went to Inland then I'd expect just the Inland CC.
I just don't believe Overton had any shortages since production had slowed down.

SE Overton made stocks for commercial sales after WWII. Some were for toy rifles.
They also made the stocks for the Ruger 10-22 up to I believe 1971 (the checkering was done in house by Sturm Ruger).

Also post WWII S. E. Overton Company had more government contracts in which they produced gunstocks and parts for weapons such as the M1 Garand, M14 Rifle, and M79 Grenade Launcher. (Cook and Cook, The M1 Carbine, 179, 186-87.)

Back to the auction stock:
The Inland CC is Fake. A perfect match to one of the repro stamps. A recent deep stamping.
The IO stamp is Fake. To large compared to originals and stamped deep recently.
The Bomb is Fake and stamped near/over a number stamp often found on these.

[USGI]

Thanks, Charlie. I wonder about the P on the grip, too. Doesn't seem like that would be there unless there would be a rebuild mark somewhere else. The same seller has another stock on eBay right now with the same size IO mark in the well, but also has an O in the barrel channel. I don't believe the K stock had the M2 cut but this next one does. The CC on this one (not a surprise) looks identical to the one on the K stock. - Bob

[painter777]

I don't believe the K stock had the M2 cut

GI Bob,
The K stock does have the M2 Selector cut.
I didn't see the P picture. Prolly a inspection, firing P proof stamp after a action was put in it.
I can't recall who it was but one of the guys got a IBM or Stan Pro from CMP that came wearing a Circle K stock.
It might be possible that the circle K stock isn't a IO stamp but instead a # l0, ??

This other stock looks OK with the IO slingwell stamp (not as big and round O).
CC does look like the other.
Seeing the milling near the recoil recess and the barrel channel (Long) with the round wood plugs, along with that light oi.
Is a Inland stock.
But appears in pic #6 to have been sanded on the front and bottom of the grip.

[USGI]

I didn't look close enough at the sling-well IO's. I see the difference in them now. Thanks! - Bob