M1 Carbine - 1944 Winchester

[Captains1911]

I just picked up this Winchester M1 Carbine, and was interested in what it’s approximate value might be, in addition to anything else anybody might be able to tell me. Most of the parts appear to be Winchester with the exception of the bolt, which has an “SU” marking and a Rockola firing pin. I’m not sure about the slide either. I haven’t disassembled the trigger group but the hammer and sear both have “W” markings. I can’t find any marks whatsoever on the stock. One thing that caught my eye was the Type II barrel band, my understanding is that this means it probably wasn’t rearsenaled? Here are some photos, thanks for the help.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Nice rifle, but certainly rearsenalled. The fully adjustable rear sight, flip-safety, M2 mag release and dual-rivet upper handguard were all most likely the result of a post-war rebuild. Many "Type-2" upper bands were made from cut down Type 3 bayonet lug bands- they will be a bit jagged on the leading edge of the sheet metal as opposed to cleanly stamped.

Also, those small punch marks on the barrel and receiver bridge were applied by arsenal inspectors. There is likely one on top of the bolt too, yes?

The Parking on the trigger group also appears to have been applied over some old rust pitting. Still, a very desirable GI gun.

Around these parts, a clean Winchester Carbine like that would go for $1200-1400.

 

[Reloadron]

Around these parts, a clean Winchester Carbine like that would go for $1200-1400.

About the same around my neighborhood, the Cleveland, Ohio area. About 5 to 7 years ago nice ones at gun shows were getting in the $800 to $1,000 range and recently I am seeing them sell for the above.

Ron

 

[Captains1911]

I guess I did pretty good paying $670 then.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I guess I did pretty good paying $670 then.

Sure did! These are super fun guns, enjoy!

 

[eastbank]

my Winchester m1 carbine is a arsenal rebuild, I payed 750.00 for it when I bought it.

 

[Reloadron]

I guess I did pretty good paying $670 then.

In a heartbeat I would give that for another, simply because they are one of those real enjoyable guns to shoot.


Ron

 

[loose noose]

Excellent buy!

 

[CoalTrain49]

Nice rifle, but certainly rearsenalled. The fully adjustable rear sight, flip-safety, M2 mag release and dual-rivet upper handguard were all most likely the result of a post-war rebuild. Many "Type-2" upper bands were made from cut down Type 3 bayonet lug bands- they will be a bit jagged on the leading edge of the sheet metal as opposed to cleanly stamped.

Also, those small punch marks on the barrel and receiver bridge were applied by arsenal inspectors. There is likely one on top of the bolt too, yes?

The Parking on the trigger group also appears to have been applied over some old rust pitting. Still, a very desirable GI gun.

Around these parts, a clean Winchester Carbine like that would go for $1200-1400.

Not sure but wouldn't a 44 have a push button mag release from the factory. But I agree, it's been rearsenaled. That doesn't make it any less desirable however, I think it's rare to find one that hasn't been rebuilt a time or two. I think you're good on the price, $1200 - $1400. A muzzle erosion gauge will tell you if the barrel has been used up. Under 2 is desirable. Over that it may still shoot OK but my experience is it won't. I had one with 2.5 and it was pretty wild. I sold it and upgraded. Some people don't care about that as carbines were tested for 4 moa at the factory and anything better was crated and shipped

I'm not sure how the OP will be able to sleep at night having paid half of what that rifle is worth. He stole it.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Not sure but wouldn't a 44 have a push button mag release from the factory. But I agree, it's been rearsenaled. That doesn't make it any less desirable however, I think it's rare to find one that hasn't been rebuilt a time or two. I think you're good on the price, $1200 - $1400. A muzzle erosion gauge will tell you if the barrel has been used up. Under 2 is desirable. Over that it may still shoot OK but my experience is it won't. I had one with 2.5 and it was pretty wild. I sold it and upgraded. Some people don't care about that as carbines were tested for 4 moa at the factory and anything better was crated and shipped

I'm not sure how the OP will be able to sleep at night having paid half of what that rifle is worth. He stole it.

You mean a push safety? The mag release on the OPs gun has the 3rd engagement lug for the 30 round magazines which were developed for the post war select fire M2 but were retrofitted to most semiauto guns eventually.

 

[Jim Watson]

Many "Type-2" upper bands were made from cut down Type 3 bayonet lug bands- they will be a bit jagged on the leading edge of the sheet metal as opposed to cleanly stamped.

Arsenal or Bubba? I'm not up on Carbine minutae but why would a refurb not get a bayonet lug?

 

[Captains1911]

Not sure but wouldn't a 44 have a push button mag release from the factory. But I agree, it's been rearsenaled. That doesn't make it any less desirable however, I think it's rare to find one that hasn't been rebuilt a time or two. I think you're good on the price, $1200 - $1400. A muzzle erosion gauge will tell you if the barrel has been used up. Under 2 is desirable. Over that it may still shoot OK but my experience is it won't. I had one with 2.5 and it was pretty wild. I sold it and upgraded. Some people don't care about that as carbines were tested for 4 moa at the factory and anything better was crated and shipped

I'm not sure how the OP will be able to sleep at night having paid half of what that rifle is worth. He stole it.

I found it in a local gun store being sold on consignment. I even asked the clerk if there was something about it I was missing, because I would have expected it to be at least $1000.

 

[Jim Watson]

A guy here had a very nice looking Winchester. Except it wouldn't shoot. A round or two and the slide would jump out of its track. Close examination found a long crack down the receiver rail, enough distortion and flex not to hold the slide.

He and I and FLG discussed weld and machine (FLG's son was a precision welder) or transplanting GI parts to commercial receiver then made by Springfield. Nothing got done, the guy is since deceased, and I conclude that the Carbine now resides in an heir's closet with no attempt to use so no occasion for repair.

 

[Tommygunn]

Arsenal or Bubba? I'm not up on Carbine minutae but why would a refurb not get a bayonet lug?

I don't think all refurbished carbines got all new parts. I think it was subject to what was available at the time and place of refurbishment.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Arsenal or Bubba? I'm not up on Carbine minutae but why would a refurb not get a bayonet lug?

Not sure the reasoning, it may have been an availability issue, or the fact that many of the troops who got these such as vehicle crew, radiomen, cooks, officers, etc, weren't going to be issued bayonets to go with them anyway.
My rearsenalled Inland has all the postwar goodies, but no lug:

Whereas, ironically, my Universal commercial carbine does:

Life is strange.

 

[CoalTrain49]

You mean a push safety? The mag release on the OPs gun has the 3rd engagement lug for the 30 round magazines which were developed for the post war select fire M2 but were retrofitted to most semiauto guns eventually.

Oops. Yes, the safety. Seems I'm confusing the parts that were changed. I just read that the safety, not the mag release, was changed because too many soldiers were dropping mags when they thought they were disengaging the safety.

Anyway, thanks for plumbing me up.

 

[If1HitU]

Very nice buy.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

On the average, the M1 Carbine barrel band with bayonet lug stabilizes the barrel a bit better than the first narrow band or the second broad band with the hole for the spring hook.