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Posted: 4/28/2025 8:21:58 PM EDT
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Okay, here’s the story as I know it. M1 Carbine, Inland Division, barrel marked 11-44, serial number range 6640xxx. Only mark on the stock is the Springfield Armory on the right side of the stock, but the stock has been finished/lacquered, but I do not see any punches, stamps, or markings at all. Story is that it was owned by a French relative who served in the military during WW2. After his death it somehow made it back into the US. How likely is this to have occurred and it would be just the same as any other vet who brought one home in his sea bag and didn’t turn it back in claiming it was “lost” or turning in his, but bringing another one home. Right? |
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
| Just French Army from what I am led to believe. But how many weapons were left behind after WW2 that could have been kept in a closet for decades? |
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
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Safety is correct for the time period, dunno about the rear sight. Mag catch change for the 30 rounders & safety change came late in the war, you have the early pushbutton safety. Buy the gun, not the story. Where's our resident carbine addict? |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
| I believe it's been through a rebuild. From AI: "The M1 carbine originally did not have bayonet lugs. They were added to some carbines in the Pacific theater by late 1944 or early 1945, specifically by May of 1945. This change was implemented in response to requests from the field, adding a bayonet lug to the barrel band" |
3-7-77
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
Since you have a bayonet lug, OP: M1 Carbine Accuracy, with a Bayonet? #shorts #ww2 #bayonet #accuracy #wwii #wwiihistory #shortvideo |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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As stated, never buy the story, always buy the gun. Years ago I bought a Garand Lend Lease out of TX. The family swore their father carried it with Patton in WWII and even included a nice handwritten note with the sale. They were not trying to scam me, they simply embraced what they were told not knowing any better. The gun had British proofs indicating it came back to the US through the Birmingham Proof House, so it was most likely a return through Sam Cummings at Interarms and later bought by the father to replicate what he may have carried during the war. I bought the gun for what it was, a British return (and there were 2 million British return guns) that happened to be a LL. |
President, Quantico Shooting Club where we shoot 1,000yds every Sunday!
Back the Blue
Back the Blue
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Fun little bayonet vid, although a whole lot of other factors besides the bayonet. As far as the rifle coming from France is concerned, I am ignorant of other countries gun laws, could a private person have purchased/owned an M1 in the 1970-1980 time frame in France? |
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
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Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop: Fun little bayonet vid, although a whole lot of other factors besides the bayonet. As far as the rifle coming from France is concerned, I am ignorant of other countries gun laws, could a private person have purchased/owned an M1 in the 1970-1980 time frame in France? Most European countries have very strict gun laws. I would imagine it's not plausible to own a semi auto rifle in France, but I could be wrong. |
3-7-77
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
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Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop: Fun little bayonet vid, although a whole lot of other factors besides the bayonet. As far as the rifle coming from France is concerned, I am ignorant of other countries gun laws, could a private person have purchased/owned an M1 in the 1970-1980 time frame in France? Lots of M-1 Carbines were dropped by the French in Vietnam. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: If it had been through a rebuild, wouldn't the safety have been swapped out, and wouldn't there be stamps to indicate a rebuild? The milled Inland rear sight could be correct. The safety and mag release are most likely correct as well. I can also see a proof "P" on the barrel which indicates the T3 barrel band is most likely original as well. In 1947 a major overall and storage program started and that is when most weapons were brought up to current standards, adjustable sights, flip safeties and T3 barrel bands. What does the SA mark look like on the stock? |
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Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop: Fun little bayonet vid, although a whole lot of other factors besides the bayonet. As far as the rifle coming from France is concerned, I am ignorant of other countries gun laws, could a private person have purchased/owned an M1 in the 1970-1980 time frame in France? Yes, but there would be an import mark stamped somewhere on the rifle if it comes into the US after 1968. We have a French member here posting pics of him at the range in France w/ his AR-15. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
I will look in the [ img]/images/smilies/smiley_abused.gif[/img]stock cutout. I have a guess how it got to this side of the pond, and all those involved have passed away, so I guess the statute of limitations are over…
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A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
|
Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop: I will look in the [ img]/images/smilies/smiley_abused.gif[/url]stock cutout. I have a guess how it got to this side of the pond, and all those involved have passed away, so I guess the statute of limitations are over…The French have a great many undocumented firearms left over from the 2nd WW. If yours came in w/o any stamps, then it may just be undocumented for most of its life, much like many California voters. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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There’s a 10 on the left side of the stock inside where the sling goes. Don’t know how I missed it when I was looking. Sling was probably covering it. |
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Looking at the rifle with the ejection port up and the magazine down, it reads left to right  as 10, but could be OI if stamped the other way.
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A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
|
Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95505/IMG_4214-3528780.jpg What does the SI on the left side of the barrel band near the sling loop mean? SI or IS. IS was the abbreviation code for parts made by International Silver iirc. The also made carbine 15 round mags. That’s off the top of my head so I may be misremembering. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Originally Posted By SteelonSteel: SI or IS. IS was the abbreviation code for parts made by International Silver iirc. The also made carbine 15 round mags. That’s off the top of my head so I may be misremembering. Good to know, the mag I just shot the other day has SI stamped on the back. |
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
Make it "Idiot Proof", along comes a better idiot.
Official Site Nickname, given by NorCal - "Smack"
|
Originally Posted By DonFlynn: You would think, but the 1 thing to remember is never say never with M1 carbines  Originally Posted By DonFlynn: Originally Posted By backbencher: If it had been through a rebuild, wouldn't the safety have been swapped out, and wouldn't there be stamps to indicate a rebuild? You would think, but the 1 thing to remember is never say never with M1 carbines The Rock Ola dad bought from the DCM in the 60's has type 2 rear sight, type 3 barrel band, and still has a push button safety. The type 3 band and adjustable rear sight on a supposed ETO carbine pretty much guarantees an arsenal rebuild. Buy the carbine, not the story! |
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Originally Posted By wm69: The Rock Ola dad bought from the DCM in the 60's has type 2 rear sight, type 3 barrel band, and still has a push button safety. The type 3 band and adjustable rear sight on a supposed ETO carbine pretty much guarantees an arsenal rebuild. Buy the carbine, not the story! I'm 99% sure this carbine is correct from what we he's shown us. |
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Yes, the story is entirely possible. We gave tons of carbines to the French after WW2. And they were still using them in combat in Vietnam (before we got there) and Algeria as well as other African countries in the previous century. And after they were withdrawn from military service, they were still used by the police. And yes, civilians can own them in france, although today you have to have à firearms permit, and everything associated with that (like our NFA, but different). But I’m sure the restrictions were far less in the previous century. And just like it would be in any military in combat, in the previous century, it is easy enough to pick up a fallen comrade’s weapon and smuggle it home. |
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Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop: It’s the milled sight? Have to google 15 round mag catch.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95505/IMG_4207-3528521.jpghttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95505/IMG_4209-3528522.jpghttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95505/IMG_4208-3528523.jpghttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95505/IMG_4210-3528524.jpghttps://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/95505/IMG_4211-3528518.jpg That stock has been nicely refinished by a non-collector, so …. |
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