M1 Carbine Mags

[Gene]

I need to identify whether some M1 carbine mags I just got are WW2 or not. The markings I have are MN, KI, and IA. Two of the IA mags are stamped normally, but one IA masg and the KI mag are stamped upside down. Anyone got a clue?

[Gary Cain]

Hey Gene,
How about a picture of the maker marks?

Gary

I need to identify whether some M1 carbine mags I just got are WW2 or not. The markings I have are MN, KI, and IA. Two of the IA mags are stamped normally, but one IA masg and the KI mag are stamped upside down. Anyone got a clue?

[Ronnie Fry]

I need to identify whether some M1 carbine mags I just got are WW2 or not. The markings I have are MN, KI, and IA. Two of the IA mags are stamped normally, but one IA masg and the KI mag are stamped upside down. Anyone got a clue?

Gene, those are probably WWII mags.

MN is normally associated with National Postal Meter Carbines, while KI and IA generally are issued on Inland rifles. Right-side-up, or down, makes no diff.

Generally speaking---

See Craig Riesch, U.S. M1 Carbines. pp 88.

Ronnie

[Gene]

Me no got book! And Gary, I knew you were gonna ask that (well, someone would I mean!) but didn't get around to it. Thanks guys, I'll snap a few pics when I can and post the here.

[Gary Cain]

No Problem Gene The mags are probably WWII but there are a few that were made by the John Masen Co. out of Texas about ten years back. Well OK, they didn't make them but they marketed them!

Gary

Me no got book! And Gary, I knew you were gonna ask that (well, someone would I mean!) but didn't get around to it. Thanks guys, I'll snap a few pics when I can and post the here.

[Scooby]

You may want to try this link:

http://www.fulton-armory.com/Carbinemags.htm

Hope it helps.

Christopher

[Gene]

Thanks Christopher. I'll take a pic later today and post it; I wonder if those markings indicate WW2 production only.

[Gene]

Here's a pic. I have 8 mags total but these are the various makers:

[Gary Cain]

The MN might be one of Masens, but the others are WWII period.

Gary

Here's a pic. I have 8 mags total but these are the various makers:

[Gene]

Thanks Gary. Three of the mags are marked IA and one of them is stamped upside down as seen in the pic; it also is of a different font than the others. Any reason why? On a side note, I am looking for reliable 30 round mags but I have been told that the ones available (like from Sarco) are mostly Japanese ones that fit and feed like crap. What are good 30 round mags to look for, and how do I identify them?