Midway Surplus M1 Carbine

[trackskippy]

It doesnt seem to quite that insane just yet, at least for some. I was just looking on Gun Broker trying to get an idea as to what my one Inland was worth, and out of 15 that actually sold recently, the average was $1450. The two high guns were around $1700 and $1811. The cheapest was $1250

I really didnt see a whole lot of difference in any of them by the pics either. They all looked to be in good shape.

Im sure certain makes will always be more desirable and in demand with those who collect them, but $1250 was about what the average Carbine was selling for around here prior to the plandemic. A $200 or so increase doesnt seem all that crazy.

Now, if someone wants to give me $1811 for my Inland, step right up!

 

[CapnMac]

Insanity reigns.

Not really. A limited resource with a high worthiness commands more value.

It no longer matter that millions were made; in reality, there are only a few thousand presently available for sale. Even the really "deep" collectors, with perhaps two or three dozen examples will not make much of a dent in the availability.

The Midway sale illustrates this--a limited number, in better condition, were snapped up eagerly.

As a guess, just a flat-out guess, it would take a cache of more than ten thousand coming up for sale to move the present market price even a few hundred dollars. The scant 200-300 or so "new makers" sold in a given year have a similarly limited effect.

 

[griff383]

I finally got some pics, not as gunky as I initially expected but still needs some TLC. Anyone have some insight as to what I may have? I'm still learning about these things. FWIW - It's a Standard Products 22X,XXX serial number

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I finally got some pics, not as gunky as I initially expected but still needs some TLC. Anyone have some insight as to what I may have? I'm still learning about these things. FWIW - It's a Standard Products 22X,XXX serial numberView attachment 1019024 View attachment 1019025 View attachment 1019026 View attachment 1019027 View attachment 1019028 View attachment 1019029 View attachment 1019030 View attachment 1019031

Overall, looks pretty good to me.

Its a pretty standard arsenal rework rifle with a mixture of early and late WW2 era and some postwar parts (like the rear sight). Most small parts will have the contractor's letter code stamped on them- these are easily looked up online.

Should be a good shooter. Confirm the piston nut is tight and properly staked, then make sure the recoil plate and action "hang" are correctly adjusted before reassembly. Also a good idea to use a wooden dowel rod to check for a bent barrel........ extreme examples will be visible to the naked eye.

Also probably a good idea to replace the recoil spring while youve got it apart.

Have fun, nice gun!

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Overall, looks pretty good to me.

Its a pretty standard arsenal rework rifle with a mixture of early and late WW2 era and some postwar parts (like the rear sight). Most small parts will have the contractor's letter code stamped on them- these are easily looked up online.

Should be a good shooter. Confirm the piston nut is tight and properly staked, then make sure the recoil plate and action "hang" are correctly adjusted before reassembly. Also a good idea to use a wooden dowel rod to check for a bent barrel........ extreme examples will be visible to the naked eye.

Also probably a good idea to replace the recoil spring while youve got it apart.

Have fun, nice gun!

Wooden dowel rods can easily be bent as well. Would never work as a proper gauge.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Wooden dowel rods can easily be bent as well. Would never work as a proper gauge.

An Army vet from the '50s told me they encountered bent Carbine barrels regularly. They would simply bend them straight, a bit at a time by hand, until a .30 caliber dowel would slide all the way through to the chamber. It might not have been an arsenal-level repair, but worked well enough, apparently.

Dont ask me where they got a .30 caliber dowel.......

 

[CapnMac]

Anyone have some insight as to what I may have?

You did not show the front band, but I'll assume it's a Type I or Type II (no bayonet lug).
It's got the upgraded rear sight.
But, it retains the original pattern stock and trigger group--it's a push/push for safety and mag release. So it never went to CORPS or ARMY level arsenal for rework.
As a guess it was not refurbished for Korea, but just stockpiled somewhere.

 

[griff383]

Type I from what I've learned through the Google. Here's some more pics and thanks for all the info, it's very much appreciated.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Has the rare early T-1 pattern barrel band.

EXCELLENT FIND!!!

 

[Jimbo80]

The only thing bad about the Midway guns is that they're over grading more than a little for luck of the draw rifles. That being said, I would gladly have paid the high retail they were getting if I didn't already own a prime example. If I wasn't an old man I would have bought 2.