Adopted another War Baby

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Shear_stress

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Sometimes even a blind squirrel finds an acorn.

Found this USGI M1 Carbine in the used rack of a big box sporting good store, hidden among the Remchesters. Just your run of the mill Inland, serial number 5.4 million (toward the end of Inland production in 1944). Inland receiver, barrel, and bolt. Saginaw trigger housing. AOB slide. Quality Hardware bayonet lug. The wood was so ding-free I thought it was aftermarket, but the stock and handguard are both "IO" marked. The only problem was that the previous owner had replaced the rear sight with a Williams aperture. Story was the previous owner was an older fellow who's failing eyesight necessitated the "upgrade". Oh well, it knocked a big chunk off of the price. A USGI replacement is on its way.

I've really got a weak spot for M1 Carbines. Amazing how they pretty much perfected the PDW on the first try.

Now I should go back and pick up that M47 Madsen they've got.

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Mmmmm....Beautiful....

Nice work, that stock is perfect. I need one of those soon. Except I kinda want a stock that is worn just a bit so I can refinish it because I would never sell it.
 
Thanks, folks. I can't help but wonder if the stock has been refinished. The stock is marking in the sling well, but doesn't have an acceptance or rebuild stamp anywhere. If it was finished, it was a while ago, as there are a couple of minor dings. Whoever did it did a pretty good job of giving the stock a correct oil finish.

On the other hand, the acceptance stamp on my IBM is so faint that it's barely visible.
 
And what did this beautiful baby set you back, may we ask?

Stock does look refinished to me. Now just rough it up a tad and it will pass for original. :p
 
Let's just say the price was very right.

Edited to add: you know, I'm not sure if this thing was refinished by a civilian. It's got the correct oil finish--nothing like the heavily lacquered jobs that usually accompany "sporterizing" attempts. The stock is not perfect either, it still has a few light dings and scrapes. Not only that, but there is no obvious dishing or recontouring. The metal bits fit about as tightly as my IBM. My bet is a DCM refinish--they would've done it right, but wouldn't have done the acceptance stamp.
 
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Wow, what a find. I've never seen one in that good a shape.

And you managed to stay below the limit for grand larceny. So it was just plain theft.:D
 
just about as pretty as ive seen.

from the pics it looks absolutely flawless.

i wouldnt mind having a couple of those to go with our m1's.
 
It'll be $400 once I get the rear sight. Some day I'll reveal how much I paid for the IBM. . .

And if we all want to have a good cry, let's have some of the older folks crow about the $25 carbines they picked out of a barrel at the hardware store.
 
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. You do this kind of thing long enough and once in a while it pays off.

Here's a shot of the Inland with its IBM step brother. Looks like the two are going to get along just fine.

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Oh.
My.
God.

The wood on that is AMAZING. 350 is nearly highway robbery, excellent Acorn.
 
Amazing buy. I love it when someone buying for good reason runs across a great deal. It always seems to make it worth it to know the owner will treat the rifle right instead of turn around and dump it for profit.
 
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