Removing barrel band from M1 Carbine?

[Ratzinger_p38]

Backdating an M1 Carbine to ww2 config?

Hi guys, just got my M1 Carbine. It has the later barrel band with the bayonet lug. Since I intend to use this rifle for reenacting, I want to covert it back to its world war II configuration. I took the rifle down to the barrel and reciever but for the life of me I cant figure out a way to get the band off of the gun, short of removing the sight or cutting the band off.

Ideas? Help?

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Carefully knock the pin out of the front sight, then using a brass punch and a small hammer, drift the front sight off the barrel. Remove the front sight key in the barrel, and your band will slide right off.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

Thanks, as far as replacement barrel bands, I am seeing 2 types. barrel band 'type 2' and barrel band 'type 1a'. 1a doesnt seem to have a hole for the screw. Which would you recommend?

 

[SigfanUSAF]

What SN range is your carbine?

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

It is SN# range of about 6.2 million (it also has later features like the adjustable sight and lever safety)
Has the '2 rivet' handguard, Unsure what stock type it is. I am sorry to sound like such a noob but I dont know carbines too well.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

The type 1 was used on Inlands through roughly the 5,000,000 serial number block, when the change over to the type II was made. The type III can be found on Inlands with a S/N of 6.7 million and higher. For that range, a four rivet handguard would be correct, as well as a low-wood non-potbelly M1 stock.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

What about the sights? Was it 'flip sights' and 'push safetys' all throughout ww2? I should probably post pics and perhaps you can help me a bit better...

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Adjustables were used by Inland after 5,000,000 sn, though I can't find a s/n break from the milled to stamped transition. There is no definitive S/N documentation on Inland safety transitions, though Winchester was using them by S/N 1,350,000. Yours probably had the flip type safety, and more than likely had an adjustable sight.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

Hm ok that makes things a bit easier. What about the stock? Is it right? So far all I see I definatly need is a type II barrel band.

 

[Sunray]

"...World War II configuration..." The bayonet is an October of 1944 addition. The sights were changed to the adjustable type in 1943. Ditto for the safeties.
Go here for a free downloadable .pdf manual. It's actually a copy of the Paul Wahl book. Note the need for the required UN & PW. http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
Go here for a stripping and assembling guide with pictures. Doesn't show you how to remove the bayonet lug though. http://www.surplusrifle.com/m1carbine/rifledisassembly/index.asp
That's a nice piece of walnut. A bath wouldn't hurt it though. Any wood cleaning product will do nicely. Murphy's Oil Soap for instance.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

You definately need a stock....you've got an M2 potbelly on there. Rear sight is milled, probably perfectly correct. I still vote for a 4 rivit handguard too. I would be leary of putting the type II band on there, there will be a "shadow" of less-worn finish under the lug portion.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

The bayonet is an October of 1944 addition.

Mine is actually (at least the barrel) dated 10-44. I cant find a list of dates with the SN #'s, but my serial number is 6225XXX. Perhaps I should leave it, if its correct? (which bayonet would it have had, there seems to be a few of them). I had always heard they were not a widely issued item (the carbines with bayonet lugs)

You definately need a stock....you've got an M2 potbelly on there.

Is there a good inexpensive source for those? Repros are OK.

 

[Sunray]

"...cant find a list of dates with the SN #'s..." That's because there isn't one for some strange reason. There isn't a site where you can put in your number and get the manufacture date for a carbine. Somebody, somewhere, at sometime must have started their S/N's with an odd number. There were only 6,117,827 carbines made during W.W. II. Is your carbine one of the CMP carbines?
Apparently the Scott Duff book has more serial number info. Ask over on the carbine forum at www.jouster.com.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

There were only 6,117,827 carbines made during W.W. II. Is your carbine one of the CMP carbines?

No. It does have an import mark but it is very faint and I suspect it has been in the US awhile. Someone has definately spent the time to clean it up, alot of the CMPs were very rough.