Some Quality Hardware for you guys!

[Matt Weber]

Thanks for all your info guys! Thanks for the link on the magazine markings. So "U" is for Union Hardware, "UI" for Inland. Great info there.
Carbines are definately tricky, but I just couldn't pass on this one.

What do you guys think this carbine is worth? (retail value?)
I know this guy has several (couple dozen), carbines left. I like this one so much, that I was considering picking up a second one.
He has many makers such as: Rock-ola, Inland, Irwin Peterson, IBM, Quality Hardware, Winchester, National Postal Meter, Underwood, Saginaw-GM, and Standard Products.
Which makers are the best quality? I've heard that Winchesters' are the best ones, is this true?

Matt

[Gary Cain]

Hello Matt,

I own an Inland, IBM and Winchester. The IBM and the Winchester are equal in my opinion(though the Winchester is a little more accurate), The inland is reliable but accuracy leaves a little to be desired, but thats normal for any group of rifles, you are going to have variations. Rock-Ola's just have a great name and association with the juke boxes! But they are no better than anything else. As for the stock question, it was very common for them to be swapped out. If you find a carbine that is 100% original from WWII that is exceptionally rare and desirable. As for value, thanks to SPR and Band of Brothers they have jumped up in price...... a good one will go out here in the west for between 850 and 1200. More if it is a reaaallly good one. There was a parts gun at a gunshow here today and it sold for 700

Gary

Thanks for all your info guys! Thanks for the link on the magazine markings. So "U" is for Union Hardware, "UI" for Inland. Great info there.
Carbines are definately tricky, but I just couldn't pass on this one.

What do you guys think this carbine is worth? (retail value?)
I know this guy has several (couple dozen), carbines left. I like this one so much, that I was considering picking up a second one.
He has many makers such as: Rock-ola, Inland, Irwin Peterson, IBM, Quality Hardware, Winchester, National Postal Meter, Underwood, Saginaw-GM, and Standard Products.
Which makers are the best quality? I've heard that Winchesters' are the best ones, is this true?

Matt

[Ronnie Fry]

Matt, Gary

I pretty much agree with Gary. The price range on carbines now has really jumped a couple of cogs. A "shooter", will go anywhere from $400. for a Blue Sky import parts gun, to the 7-800 that Gary talks about for a non-import parts gun.
As far as accurary is concerned, I think you'd be hard pressed to pick a particular mfgr. Since a shooter will be mostly mixed parts, just depends on the "tolerance stack" of the rifle you have in your hands.-- Without regard to mfgr. --
It is said that the Winchester's are best, and I would be inclined to agree. However, only from an "experience in the industry" standpoint. On the other side of that coin, if you have an all original rifle, you might consider not shooting it. Some of the parts, if original, are REALLY hard to come by. If you break a firing pin on an S'G',or IP, you may be SOL!!
That said on accuracy, price consideration is another bucket of spaghetti. Since Inland is the most prolific mfgr, you could expect to pay the bottom of $7-800 for an all original parts Inland of the most common garden variety. Early ones will fetch a premium. I would say that in my area an average price for "other than Inland" would be in the 8 to 1200 range depending on a lot of stuff. Then mention Irwin Pedersen, and you've got yet another ball game. Since only 3500 were produced, and NONE ever accepted by the govt., it gets real wierd. Like all the other mfgrs, just depends on if the rifle is indeed all original parts. Not mixed. You MUST be allowed to take the rifle apart and check the individual parts.
For info on the proper parts, there is one book which is as good a handbook as you could ask for. By Craig Riesch, "U.S. M1 Carbines". Fourth Edition. You should be able to get it for under $20. bucks, and it's a bargain. Most book dealers at gun shows carry it, and I'm sure you could get it on Amazon. There are a lot of other books on the history and all that (Larry Ruth's War Baby and War Baby II) but none as concise as to proper parts.

Thanks for allowing me to expound.

Ronnie

[Matt Weber]

Guys, I took the carbine apart, and looked for all the internal markings.
Here is what I all found:

sling holder- "Q.U."
stock grip- "T"
barrel band- "UI"
rear sight- "I.R. Co."
hand guard- "MU"
trigger group- "Q-NL"
hammer- "LT-Q"
cocking arm and slide- "P1" (in a circle)
bolt- "IO"
stock, wear sling goes through- "M-U"

That is all I could find. Does anyone know what all these markings mean?

Thanks,
Matt

[Britch]

I think the bolt and barrel band are inland, trigger group, sling holder, and hammer is Quality hardware, and Stock is underwood. Am not sure about the rest

[Matt Weber]

Thanks guys,

Just checked out the rest of the parts and here they are:

Trigger- "Q-LT"
Sear- "GE-Q"
safety- unmarked
Magazine catch- "EP-Q"
Recoil plate- "AU" (must be Underwood right?)

That is about it. So basically I need proper wood, slide, bolt, and recoil plate?
What markings do I need to look for on these parts?

Matt

[nellyp51]

Awsome M1 good find mate, you must be very proud.

[Matt Weber]

Well guys, I finally got all the parts I needed to complet my Quality Hardware M1 carbine. Now it is all "correct".

Check out the pics!

Matt

[Matt Weber]

stock is an early "I" cut, with nice cartouche, and marked, "RMC". Handguard is also marked "RMC". Very nice looking stock.

[Matt Weber]

It is also "High wood" of course!

[Matt Weber]

I was also able to snag a bunch of ammo pouches. I passed one along to a friend of mine in Texas, for helping me out with this carbine! Thanks bud!

[Matt Weber]

All the pouches are dated 1945, and have differend makers such as:

"Regal Rugs", "Avery", and "George S. Rumley Co."

[Matt Weber]

Some of the other makers are:

"Rewine & Strain", "Parfait", and even the "Cedar Rapids Tent & Awning Co."

Pretty cool huh?

[Matt Weber]

I was also able to snag some more magazines for my Quality Hardware, and also my New Inland carbine (see other thread!)

Markings are: "U", "JLC-Q", "U-Q", "IA", "IA", and "UI".

Also notice in the pic, I was able to get some magazine covers as well.

[Ronnie Fry]

I was also able to snag a bunch of ammo pouches. I passed one along to a friend of mine in Texas, for helping me out with this carbine! Thanks bud!

Don't be too quick on the thanks Matt. I warned you that carbines are exceedingly addictive!!! I'm afraid it may be too late for you now!!

Happy to Help!!

Ronnie