Help With a WWII Era Carbine

rinoman · October 25, 2004, 10:49 AM

I'm still plowing through a list of guns for an aging family member, trying to value them. I am stuck on one where I don't have enough info to beging to find it in my Blue Book.

The description is:

US Military Carbine
.30 cal
SN 5499067
Adjustable sight

I have a picture of it on my web site http://reineman.com/units/pages/22.htm I seem to have problems uploading pics to this forum.

I know someone will recognize the model at least. I suspect I won't get enough info to positively locate it in the Blue Book. If someone is willing to take a shot at a value I would appreciate that also. Ballpark estimate is OK, the person liquidating their collection is OK with a rough estimate for this piece.

Thanks in Advance.

Dave Markowitz · October 26, 2004, 08:50 PM

That's an M1 Carbine and apparently in very nice shape. The rear sight is postwar. The manufacturer's name will be stamped on the received but the rear sight is covering it up. If you look closely you may be able to discern the maker without drifting the sight out. Several contractors made M1 Carbines, from Winchester (who designed it), to IBM, GM's Inland division, to Rock Ola (as in the jukeboxes).

Valuing US martial firearms can be tricky. For example, most M1 Carbines are "mixmasters," i.e., they were rebuilt at least once during their service life. An all original gun is worth more. Value is also influenced by your location.

BTW, I looked at a few of the other pics in your gallery. IMO, it would be a good idea to get this stuff to a knowledgeable appraiser, there appears to be some good stuff there.

**4V50 Gary** · October 26, 2004, 09:56 PM

Ditto. Note, you have the WW I version front band that lacks the bayonet lug - you lucky teufel.

DT Guy · October 27, 2004, 06:48 AM

Yes, neither the internet nor the blue book is a great way to appraise US military arms-too many variables in manufacturer, condition, etc.

Quite a collection!

Larry

Jim Watson · October 27, 2004, 09:15 AM

Dave is right, you need a real expert looking at those guns in person.
The value of the carbine will depend strongly on the maker.

I will point out that #19 the S&W New Model No 3 is a target model with adjustable rear sight and Marble Sheard front bead. I don't know what that will do for the value, but it is a less common variation. They only made about 3600 in .32-44 and .38-44 and I don't know how many .44 Russian target versions.
And note that #28 a S&W 1950 Military is quite a scarce gun.

Some of the others are, too.

This is getting to be enough and nice enough guns to support an auction, which seems to be the way to maximize money from a collection these days.

rinoman · October 29, 2004, 11:46 PM

Thanks for all the replies, this is a great site for gun expertise and people who are willing to help.

Judging by your comments it looks like I stumbled into something pretty good. An older family member wants to get rid of them and aren't terribly interested in making money, sort of a family deal. I've been doing the Blue book thing as an attempt to come up with some sort of reasonable offer.

Thanks again.

October 26, 2004, 09:56 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,829	Ditto. Note, you have the WW I version front band that lacks the bayonet lug - you lucky teufel. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 27, 2004, 06:48 AM	#4
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 958	Yes, neither the internet nor the blue book is a great way to appraise US military arms-too many variables in manufacturer, condition, etc. Quite a collection! Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

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October 25, 2004, 10:49 AM	#1
rinoman Junior Member Join Date: September 21, 2004 Posts: 10	Help With a WWII Era Carbine I'm still plowing through a list of guns for an aging family member, trying to value them. I am stuck on one where I don't have enough info to beging to find it in my Blue Book. The description is: US Military Carbine .30 cal SN 5499067 Adjustable sight I have a picture of it on my web site http://reineman.com/units/pages/22.htm I seem to have problems uploading pics to this forum. I know someone will recognize the model at least. I suspect I won't get enough info to positively locate it in the Blue Book. If someone is willing to take a shot at a value I would appreciate that also. Ballpark estimate is OK, the person liquidating their collection is OK with a rough estimate for this piece. Thanks in Advance.

October 26, 2004, 08:50 PM	#2
Dave Markowitz Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2002 Location: SE PA Posts: 372	That's an M1 Carbine and apparently in very nice shape. The rear sight is postwar. The manufacturer's name will be stamped on the received but the rear sight is covering it up. If you look closely you may be able to discern the maker without drifting the sight out. Several contractors made M1 Carbines, from Winchester (who designed it), to IBM, GM's Inland division, to Rock Ola (as in the jukeboxes). Valuing US martial firearms can be tricky. For example, most M1 Carbines are "mixmasters," i.e., they were rebuilt at least once during their service life. An all original gun is worth more. Value is also influenced by your location. BTW, I looked at a few of the other pics in your gallery. IMO, it would be a good idea to get this stuff to a knowledgeable appraiser, there appears to be some good stuff there. __________________ Dave Markowitz http://blogostuff.blogspot.com

October 27, 2004, 09:15 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	Dave is right, you need a real expert looking at those guns in person. The value of the carbine will depend strongly on the maker. I will point out that #19 the S&W New Model No 3 is a target model with adjustable rear sight and Marble Sheard front bead. I don't know what that will do for the value, but it is a less common variation. They only made about 3600 in .32-44 and .38-44 and I don't know how many .44 Russian target versions. And note that #28 a S&W 1950 Military is quite a scarce gun. Some of the others are, too. This is getting to be enough and nice enough guns to support an auction, which seems to be the way to maximize money from a collection these days.

October 29, 2004, 11:46 PM	#6
rinoman Junior Member Join Date: September 21, 2004 Posts: 10	Thanks for all the replies, this is a great site for gun expertise and people who are willing to help. Judging by your comments it looks like I stumbled into something pretty good. An older family member wants to get rid of them and aren't terribly interested in making money, sort of a family deal. I've been doing the Blue book thing as an attempt to come up with some sort of reasonable offer. Thanks again.