Which M1 Carbine would you choose?

[Doug S]

Both Rock-ola (receiver and barrel, other parts unknown)

First with a really dinged up, dented high wood stock, with 2 rivet handguard, and crossed cannons on buttstock (maker unknown). Round bolt, with stamped trigger housing and milled type 2 rear sight.

Second visually nicer (less dings/dents) low wood stock (no cannon on stock, instead a large G), with 4 rivet handguard. Flat bolt, milled trigger housing, stamped type 2 rear sight. This gun $30 more.

Would the flat bolt, nicer looking stock, and milled trigger housing be worth choosing over the other? Metal looks equal.

 

[Doug S]

Rear stock comparison.

More beat up stocked gun, has serial number in 4#####, nicer 6#####. Both made in early 1944.

Forgot to mention that I purchased more beat up stock carbine online auction, yesterday. Won't be sent out until tomorrow afternoon. Same person has nicer one listed today for $30 more. I'm think I could have him switch these if I decide I want the second. What would you M1 Carbine people do?

 

[hso]

Purchase both?

Seriously, if the price is good I'd get both and play mix and match to get "correct" parts on each.

 

[Doug S]

hso,

No can do on purchasing both. I think I paid too much as it is, $769 for the first (buy it now option). Cost is $800 for the other. Should I stick with the one I have, or is it worth it to go for the switch?

 

[Doug S]

I just read that the stamped trigger housing is correct for a Rock-ola in this serial number range.

Also, does anyone know if the crossed cannon on the rougher stock is Inland? I've read in a few places that the larger cannon seem to be on Inland stocks.

I've decided to keep the one I originally purchased. As I continue to read on the M1 forums, the round bolt is also correct for my serial number range.

 

[dmftoy1]

Don't know if it'll help you or not, but there's a pretty good book for $15-$20 on Amazon that had drawings of each part type and breaks down what's correct for each production run. FWIW.

 

[Doug S]

dmftoy1,

I ordered the book yesterday. Looking forward to researching my new carbine.

 

[blkbrd666]

Where's the other one located?

 

[Doug S]

Both on Gun Broker, same dealer.

 

[DEAC25]

Iver Johnson Question

I saw an Iver Johnson Carbine in a pawn shop. Very Good condition.

It is a D-Day Commemorative with I think Omaha Beach engraved on the stock.

It is obviously not GI, but one of the ones made later for civilians.

They are asking $430, is that high for this model?

Thanks,
Deac

 

[Doug S]

From my research it really seems that the prices on M1 Carbines have skyrocketed. The Iver Johnson price that you quote sounds right. The commerical versions are selling for the prices the Milsurps were a few years back. The price you mention doesn't sound bad at all, if it's in nice shape. Maybe someone will correct me.

 

[BigGunsMoreFun]

No easy answer on this

I love the M1 Carbine and have managed to collect one from every maker during the WWII era. It's a tough choice. They will both be decent collector items and the value will only go up. The first one I bought several years ago cost me $200 in NRA very good shape. The last one I bought at a gunshow about 3 months ago was an IBM in the same shape. It cost me $800.

I waited and worked on this collection for many years. These things are hard to find in good shape with all the correct parts on each gun.

If you can't buy both, I'd buy the one with the most correct parts on it regardless of what it looked like.

Good luck.

Molon Labe,
Joe

 

[Doug S]

If you can't buy both, I'd buy the one with the most correct parts on it regardless of what it looked like.

Thanks for the advice. This is what I based my decision on. I decided to stick with the original.