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**bifrost** · 11-26-2012, 01:44 PM

Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine

Do you see like me a crack in the stock in the upper left section ?

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**bifrost** · 11-26-2012, 01:46 PM

Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine

and last one.

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INLAND-PARA-5.jpg (92.9 KB, 646 views)

**drm2m** · 11-26-2012, 11:03 PM

bifrost,

I am far from an expert on M1A1 carbines.

I own an early one (First Contract)

The stock on the gun you show looks decent notwithstanding the crack that you mention.

I suspect that it is a Second Contract gun because of the modified rear sight and the placement of the Ordnance Departments 'crossed cannons escutcheon ' on the grip.
It also has a low-wood stock.

You need to get the serial number as this may tell more about this carbine.

This stuff may or may not help you?

There were two separate production runs of M1A1 carbines. The so-called 'First Contract' carbines were shipped between October 1942 and October 1943, with approximately 71,000 M1A1s delivered during the period. Serial numbers ranged approximately from 42,000 to 850,000. These M1A1s had the same features as the standard M1s of the era, including non-adjustable, flip-up rear sights; 'high-wood' stocks (the area in front of the operating slide); narrow barrel bands (without bayonet lugs); and flat-top bolts.

The second production run was between about May and December 1944 and created less than 70,000 M1A1s. Serial numbers ranged approximately from 5,150,000 to 6,700,000. Although the basic design of the M1A1 stock did not change, the majority of the 'Second Contract' stock had 'low-wood' and a slightly different shape to the grip. Also, during the course of production, many of the later production carbine (M1 and M1A1) were fitted with improved components, such as adjustable rear sights, round bolts and wider barrel bands. There is some disagreement whether or not any of these carbines originally left the factory with T4 barrel bands (with the bayonet lug). If so, only extremely late production M1A1 Carbines would have this feature, and the vast majority had either the narrow Type 1 or the wider Type 2 barrel bands (both types without bayonet lug.)

There are several features to examine when attempting to identify a genuine M1A1 carbine stock. The most important are as follows:

1. The inside of the stock (the barrel channel) will be marked 'OI." This denotes that the stock was manufactured by the Overton Company for Inland (Overton-Inland).

2. The underside of the pistol grip on the First Contract M1A1 Carbines was also marked 'OI' along with a small Ordnance Department crossed cannon escutcheon. Later production pistol grips were typically marked 'RI/3". These were made under subcontract by the J.C. Richardson Company (Richard-Inland). On most of the latter grips, a larger Ordnance escutcheon was stamped on the right side rather than on the bottom of the grip as found on the earlier examples. The configuration of many of the later grips was also somewhat different than the earlier examples.

3. The inside of the metal buttplate had a drawing number cast (not stamped). The number 'B257614,' was followed by an asterisk-shaped marking enclosed in a circle (sometimes described as a wagon wheel) followed by one-or two-digit number. This marking is often rather indistinct and can be hard to read. Reproduction M1A1 buttplates are usually unmarked although some fakes may be noted with a stamped (not cast) number.

4. The early stocks typically had a circled 'P' proofmark stamped on the rear of the stock. The marking was not generally found on the later stocks. It should be noted that many of the post-war rebuilt stocks had a proof mark applied as part of the overhaul procedure, but this was often a block letter 'P' (not enclosed in a circle).

5. The leather cheek pad was neatly attached to the stock and secured by rivets. Some rivets marked '7/4' have been observed, and these are believed to have been automotive brake shoe rivets made by Inland. Early rivets for the M1A1 cheek pad were typically made of brass, while most the later rivets were made of Parkerized steel and usually painted brown to match the leather. The leather of the original cheek pads and was fairly thin, and some original stocks have deteriorated or damaged pads. Some owners choose to replace the missing or damage pads with newly made leather pads. Original leather pads will show evidence of factory-quality workmanship, whereas many of the replaced pads are somewhat ill-fitting or fabricated using leather that is not too thick and/or too light in color.

For what it is worth here are photos of my gun.

David

I am surprised that you found one of these guns in France and that you can shoot it.

**richardw** · 11-27-2012, 03:02 AM

From these pictures it looks god so far. More detailed pictures would help.

**bifrost** · 11-28-2012, 02:52 PM

Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine

David,

You're not far from an expert but close to...
More than i am for sure, it's nice to have you and WAF members around, especially when you're about to make a choice, so i want to thank you for what you've posted.
When i see "yours" compared to mine, i'll just stick to the First contracts.
And sure it helps, i've made up my mind, dropped over Normandy, nothing else ;-)
I don't want no Algeria nor Indochina pieces.
Your stuff helps a lot, when you're facing a dealer, and you're familiar
within our area, it truly gives a hand.
Everything's there !!!
Thanks for what it's worth....

PS: here's mine, no Inland, no Paratrooper
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ouched+carbine

**bifrost** · 11-28-2012, 02:55 PM

Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine

RichardW,

I'm afraid there won't be any detailed pictures as i don't like botherin' people here or elsewhere when i'm not buyin'...

So i guess this one is closed for now, but i'll be back ;-)

Thanks to all,

Orjan

**drm2m** · 12-04-2012, 05:54 PM

Sold on RIA in December 2011 for $8,050.

M1A1 carbine….not found in this condition very often.

Serial # 919463

Description.

Blade front and "wSi" 2-leaf flip rear sight, with "9-43" dated Inland barrel, "UI" Type I barrel band, flat bolt, milled guard, button safety and "EI" magazine catch. Magazine is blue, with "A.I." stamp on the rear. High wood stock, with 2-rivet handguard, "P" on the rear over the pistol grip, leather cheekpiece, oiler, tan canvas sling and wire buttstock with proper style mold numbers on the folding buttplate.

Condition.

Virtually unissued, totally original WWII configuration with 99% plus of the original parkerized finish, showing a few light handling marks overall and a small amount of spotting on the wire. The stock is excellent, with some dents and light scratches. Minor fraying is visible on the sling around the front swivel. Mechanically excellent. Could not be improved upon!

David

**markkvdp** · 08-27-2015, 06:19 AM

I have a question about the folding stock.. Does an original butt plate 100% needs the B257614 stamp on the inside?? Or are there original folding stocks without this number? Somebody that can help me with this?

Many thanks.

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Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine

Paratrooper M1A1 Carbine

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