Some Quality Hardware for you guys!

[Matt Weber]

Here is some Quality Hardware for you guys! No, I'm not talking about nuts and bolts from Home Depot or something. I'm talking about my latest find:
this lovely M1 Carbine made by Quality Hardware.

I'm no expert on M1 carbines. As most of you know, I mainly collect German pistols. So I hope some of you carbine experts out there will help me out with some questions on this one? This carbine came out of a very old collection.

Matt

[Matt Weber]

This carbine appears to be a transitional period, since it has some later type stuff, and early pattern stuff on it.

Here is the top of the reciever. It has the early flat style bolt, and two hole upper hand guard.

[Matt Weber]

It has the later adjustable rear sight. Just visible is the maker marking, "Quality Hardware" and serial number, "191xxx".

[Matt Weber]

Stock is marked with this marking. It shows, "GHD UEF". I've seen this marking many times on M1 carbines, but have no idea what it means? I'm sure you carbine experts will know this for sure!?

[Matt Weber]

Right side of M1 carbine. Notice it has the later low wood type stock, but has earlier push button safety. Also this carbine has no bayonet lug (see 1st pic).

[Matt Weber]

This is the one that really has me puzzled?
The barrel is marked, "Buffalo Arm" with the flaming cannon ball below it, and dated, "8-1943"
Is Buffalo Arm the producer of the barrel? and did they supply barrels to Quality Hardware? I'm 99% positive this is the correct barrel for this gun, so I would guess this is right, but would like some information to confirm this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Matt Weber]

magazine pouch is marked, "US" on front flap.

[Matt Weber]

Marked inside, "Avery 1945". Anyone know this maker?

[Matt Weber]

Magazine markings also have me puzzled

First mag is marked, "C.Q.", next is marked, "U", and last is marked, "UI".

Does anyone know the meaning of these markings?

Thanks in advance for all your help, and I hope everyone enjoyed this display of some Quality Hardware!

Matt

[Ronnie Fry]

This is the one that really has me puzzled?
The barrel is marked, "Buffalo Arm" with the flaming cannon ball below it, and dated, "8-1943"
Is Buffalo Arm the producer of the barrel? and did they supply barrels to Quality Hardware? I'm 99% positive this is the correct barrel for this gun, so I would guess this is right, but would like some information to confirm this. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Matt,
This barrel is correct for your carbine. Buffalo Arms made carbine bbls. for several mfgrs. I own an IBM with a Buffalo Arms bbl. At the time, the Buffalo Arms bbls were considered inferior products by many of the contractors, and thus were only used as a last resort. Now, because they are somewhat uncommon, are sought as an unusual variation.
Otherwise, your rifle falls in the second set of s/n's allocated to Quality Hdw. The adjustable sight would have been added as a field mod. after mfg. Many were done such.
Too, the stock is probably original to the gun. Look closely at the area next to the slide. It was probably a "high wood" which was also field modified by carving out the wood that could have impinged on the slide. Sometimes you can spot the place where the wood has been carved out.

Nice Nice original looking rifle. Congratulations.

Ronnie

[Ronnie Fry]

Stock is marked with this marking. It shows, "GHD UEF". I've seen this marking many times on M1 carbines, but have no idea what it means? I'm sure you carbine experts will know this for sure!?

The stock marked UEF stands for Underwood Elliott Fisher. GHD Is Guy Drury who acceped the rifle for the govt. Thus, the stock was original for an Underwood carbine.

Ronnie

[Matt Weber]

Thanks for the info Ronnie. So, are you saying that this stock is not correct for this carbine? I would be surprised if it is not correct. This guys collection it came out of was certainly second to none. All his carbines are in excellent condition, and it appears as he really collected quality stuff (no punn intended!)

Matt

[Ronnie Fry]

Magazine markings also have me puzzled

First mag is marked, "C.Q.", next is marked, "U", and last is marked, "UI".

Does anyone know the meaning of these markings?

Thanks in advance for all your help, and I hope everyone enjoyed this display of some Quality Hardware!

Matt

Matt, a little research required here, but happy to do it, as you have often done for me.

The first mag in the photo, the one on the left:

CQ with the funky little "T" in the C. This is the initials JLC entertwined. It stands for the J.L. Clark Mfg. Co. They were one of the many subcontractors for carbine magazines. This mag would have been correct (as issued) for the following mfgr's.
Rock-Ola
Quality Hardware
Saginaw S'G'
Saginaw Gear
Standard Products
IBM

The "U" is another subcontractor, whose name I can't find, but would be correct on almost any later rifle as a field replacment
The "UI" is Union Hardware, correct as issued on an Inland carbine

As you may have guessed, Magazines are a science unto themselves. BTW, there are three different types from most Mfgrs.

r

[Ronnie Fry]

Thanks for the info Ronnie. So, are you saying that this stock is not correct for this carbine? I would be surprised if it is not correct. This guys collection it came out of was certainly second to none. All his carbines are in excellent condition, and it appears as he really collected quality stuff (no punn intended!)

Matt

Matt,
Now about the stock. My friend and mentor whose photo I have posted here is one of THE carbine experts. He always tells me "Anything with carbines is possible". There was so much exchange and interchange of parts between the mfgrs, the possibilities are endless! If you think Lugers and P 38's are complicated, just do what you did and get into M1 Carbines!!
Here is a likely scenario for your QH. And for that matter, many other carbines used in WWII. --- For some reason, the rifle was returned to a battlefield armoury. A small repair, or anything. With yours, perhaps a broken stock). They may not have taken the time to disassemble the entire rifle, just repaired, and put back into service. But they would have done some "mods" that were mandatory at the time, such as the adjustable sight, and a stock which had the slide relief cut down. Just so happened that the stock they picked up was an Underwood. They did not take the time to put a barrel band with a stock lug on it. But, make no mistake, your rifle is likely correct AS USED!!!
One thing I would suggest, to further clarify, or cloud the issue, is to go ahead and dissassemble the piece. Check the small parts for mfgrs. stamps. If you want to P/M me with that list, I'll have a look and we can talk about it. Always happy to help, as you have been for me.

Ronnie

[Britch]

Hi Matt,

Nice carbine. Are there any letters in the sling well? Carbines were reissued so many times that they are all correct as used, but not how they may have left the factory. My winchester has early type 1 barrel band, national postal meter slide, bolt and trigger housing, and a Q-rmc marked stock (for quality hardware made by Rockola music company) Keep your eyes open for a nice winchester stock, will be happy to trade you for my Q-rmc one The best book from what I have been told is War Babies if you find to find how your carbine may have left the factory (if they had all the parts in stock they were supposed to) I am not that obsessed, I just want them to shoot straight. If you were in combat with one of these, which would be more important to you Here is a link to info on m1 carbine mag markings http://www.rawles.to/M1_Carbine_Mag_FAQ.html