New to me Winchester M1 carbine

[100Acre]

Just picked this up today for a really great deal. It came with the bayonet which might be Vietnam era issue, but I can’t tell as there are no markings on it and it’s mostly all black. Came with 6 magazines, including a really short one I’ve never seen before plus according to my friend- government Issue magazine covers made out of black rubber which is also something I’ve never seen before. The tang is marked with a W the barrel is a W there’s a Winchester mark underneath the rear site, but I do not know what year it is made, and I have not taken it apart yet. Please let me know what you think and if anybody can tell me anything else about the little rubber magazine covers, as I’ve never seen anything like them before. It looks like the safety is marked with a different marking other than a W maybe an IH or A H.? The Woodstock is got a chunk taken out near the tang, but other than that it’s in pretty decent shape. Overall, very happy with my purchase for the amount that I paid. I believe it will be a good investment. Cannot wait to shoot it.

























upload image

[echo1]

Very nice indeed. Are the Winchesters less common? PAX

[Phosphorus32]

Winchester invented the M1 Carbine, so if you’re going to have one, a Winchester would be my first choice. Yours is in the second to last serial number block assigned to Winchester, and they ceased production of M1 and M2 Carbines in August 1945. Yours was probably made around February of 1945, give or take a month.

Should have an overlaid PW proof on the barrel, besides the WRA near the front sight. You have a period correct, late production, Winchester stock, as indicated by the oiler inlet shape, the W on the left, and the correct US Army Ordnance marking on the right side Typical post-war updates and signs of refurbishment: barrel band with bayonet lug, HI safety (Inland sub-contractor).

Nice score!

[Phosphorus32]

Very nice indeed. Are the Winchesters less common? PAX

Winchester was the second most prolific manufacturer behind Inland (General Motors, Inland Division)

[Phosphorus32]

The bayonet is a reproduction. Real ones are still easy to find but not super cheap. The Italian ones are generally reasonable (under $100).

[100Acre]

So, i bought it as a possible investment and paid $800 for all of it but someone on gunboards posted this in response and it was something I hadn’t noticed. Do you think it’ll affect the value by much? Also the guy i bought it from had said that he added the bayonet lug himself some years ago. Should i take it off?

[Phosphorus32]

Yeah, I missed that. For sure a knock on value to a collector. If not disclosed, that would be a back out of a deal issue for me.

[100Acre]

I called him back and he made up for it. He didn’t give me any cash back but sold me 2 more m 91/30’s- one a Tula hex non-refurb from 1932 and an Izzy refurb 1942 and a whole spam can of silver tip for $450. Or am i a sucker?

[Phosphorus32]

Sounds like he made up for it, since the Mosins/ammo package is about Hal of current market value.