hso
April 24, 2005, 04:36 PM
I've attached an image of an IBM M1 Carbine with interesting markings. The barrel has "BNP" under what looks like a crown and "F" and "O" in crossed flags or swords. There's an "HL" stamped in the sling recess in the stock. There's a unit disk in brass on the opposite side of the stock. "AMCO" is stamped on the barrel band. Is it a Brit lendlease or perhaps Canadian?
Any ideas?
gamachinist
April 24, 2005, 05:34 PM
BNP is British Nitro Proof,
so it probably was a lend lease gun.
Jim K
April 24, 2005, 06:53 PM
The proof is the type used after 1950, but the gun would have been proofed either when brought into the U.K. for civilian sale or when sold from military stores. I can't say carbines were not sent over under L-L, but there were apparently not many. FWIW, I think it is a gun that was owned in the U.K. by a civilian who put on the brass disc just to make it look more military.
Jim