How much for an M1 carbine - 1943 prod.

Prof Young · June 14, 2013, 05:54 PM

Shooters:

I was looking for some reloading stuff and visited an LGS in a nearby town and found a 1943 M1 Carbine priced at $975.00. It's the real deal, not an "after market" copy. Serial is 536461 and the # on the barrel is 7043. It's got the original "canvas" army type sling and comes with on 15 round mag. I should have taken a pic of it to post here . . . guess I as drooling too much. Anyway I'm in new territory here and am wondering if this is a decent buy? Also wondering if this gun will go up in price over time. I mean this is a collector's item kind of thing . . . right. The other amazing thing is that the little woman is okay with me buying it. Guess it's the new deck I'm building her.

So, what do you thing. Is this a good price? Worth getting? Talk to me.

Live well, be safe
Prof Young

Ibmikey · June 14, 2013, 08:26 PM

Who is the manufacturer? (To the rear of rear sight, check under the rear sight if adjustable). The serial number noted would be Inland Div of GM, Barrels were not numbered, most carbines have been rebuilt, some many times, without inspection and noting each part and it's vintage and manufacture it is "just a carbine" most sell around the $500-600 range.

Lprmcnit · June 14, 2013, 11:06 PM

I'd check out the CMP auctions to get a rough idea. I know since Washington has restricted their import, their value as sold by the CMP, has doubled in the last 5 years.

coldbeer · June 17, 2013, 01:16 PM

The days of 5-$600 carbines are gone. Even the junky ones are $750 and up nowadays.

HKGuns · June 17, 2013, 05:08 PM

It all depends on who made it and the number they produced, the number of correct components and of course condition.

You really didn't provide enough information for any sort of an accurate estimate. If it is a run of the mill inland in rough shape with few correct parts it might be priced too high. If it is a rock-ola with some correct parts it might be the deal of the century.

Generally speaking, I agree the days of $5-600 Carbines are over. That said, I wouldn't give $300 for an Inland in poor condition with a shot out barrel.

Salmoneye · June 18, 2013, 07:41 AM

Manufacturer's mark should be forward of the serial number, and is often obscured by an adjustable sight...

While barrels were not 'numbered', many were indeed 'dated'...

Here is one that is dated "9 -43":

dan1252 · June 18, 2013, 04:49 PM

I have one and its in pretty good condition... It's a Quality H.M.C receiver with a rock-ola barrel. i was told that i was worth around $1500. would you guys say that is correct?

Ibmikey · June 19, 2013, 07:11 AM

Dan. You may have a real collectable, only inspection would answer the question as to correct parts for a Quality. By the way Quality only made receivers, actually those were even farmed out, they received their parts from the Gov distribution program. Rockola barrels were widely distributed to other carbine producers. As to value it seems like everything has a price, I look at my firearms without adding a $ value as they are mine and I have the luxury of using or giving away as I choose.

dan1252 · June 19, 2013, 01:12 PM

sweet.. what is the best way to find out if all the parts are original???

Ibmikey · June 19, 2013, 03:21 PM

There are many reference books available that discuss individual markings, changes and manufacture dates. The carbine book most used is "War Baby" by Ruth but expensive, your best bet is paperback U. S. M1 carbines, Wartime Production by Riesch. Some of the research is contradictory however works well for you and I breaking down a carbine or two. The biggest problem is you can quickly become addicted and that means $$$, the explosion took place about 10 years ago and now they command premium prices beyond what they should. I have a bunch of carbines of every manufacturer but I have always been a Carbine nut. Gave an original M1A1 to my good friend's daughter for her 16 th birthday, she added it to the collection and not even out of high school yet !

dan1252 · June 19, 2013, 04:40 PM

wow..... thank you very much i will look into those books! let you know what i find.

kilimanjaro · June 21, 2013, 05:39 PM

$975 is steep, but not outlandish. Make an offer, see what happens.

Haven't seen a decent one for under $800 in two years here.

June 14, 2013, 05:54 PM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	How much for an M1 carbine - 1943 prod. Shooters: I was looking for some reloading stuff and visited an LGS in a nearby town and found a 1943 M1 Carbine priced at $975.00. It's the real deal, not an "after market" copy. Serial is 536461 and the # on the barrel is 7043. It's got the original "canvas" army type sling and comes with on 15 round mag. I should have taken a pic of it to post here . . . guess I as drooling too much. Anyway I'm in new territory here and am wondering if this is a decent buy? Also wondering if this gun will go up in price over time. I mean this is a collector's item kind of thing . . . right. The other amazing thing is that the little woman is okay with me buying it. Guess it's the new deck I'm building her. So, what do you thing. Is this a good price? Worth getting? Talk to me. Live well, be safe Prof Young

June 14, 2013, 11:06 PM	#3
Lprmcnit Member Join Date: June 3, 2012 Posts: 41	M1 Carbine I'd check out the CMP auctions to get a rough idea. I know since Washington has restricted their import, their value as sold by the CMP, has doubled in the last 5 years.

June 17, 2013, 05:08 PM	#5
HKGuns Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2005 Location: Bora Bora Posts: 932	How much for an M1 carbine - 1943 prod. It all depends on who made it and the number they produced, the number of correct components and of course condition. You really didn't provide enough information for any sort of an accurate estimate. If it is a run of the mill inland in rough shape with few correct parts it might be priced too high. If it is a rock-ola with some correct parts it might be the deal of the century. Generally speaking, I agree the days of $5-600 Carbines are over. That said, I wouldn't give $300 for an Inland in poor condition with a shot out barrel. Last edited by HKGuns; June 17, 2013 at 05:23 PM.

June 14, 2013, 08:26 PM	#2
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Who is the manufacturer? (To the rear of rear sight, check under the rear sight if adjustable). The serial number noted would be Inland Div of GM, Barrels were not numbered, most carbines have been rebuilt, some many times, without inspection and noting each part and it's vintage and manufacture it is "just a carbine" most sell around the $500-600 range.

June 17, 2013, 01:16 PM	#4
coldbeer Junior member Join Date: February 21, 2012 Location: Woodhaven MI Posts: 477	The days of 5-$600 carbines are gone. Even the junky ones are $750 and up nowadays.

June 18, 2013, 07:41 AM	#6
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Manufacturer's mark should be forward of the serial number, and is often obscured by an adjustable sight... While barrels were not 'numbered', many were indeed 'dated'... Here is one that is dated "9 -43":

June 19, 2013, 07:11 AM	#8
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Dan. You may have a real collectable, only inspection would answer the question as to correct parts for a Quality. By the way Quality only made receivers, actually those were even farmed out, they received their parts from the Gov distribution program. Rockola barrels were widely distributed to other carbine producers. As to value it seems like everything has a price, I look at my firearms without adding a $ value as they are mine and I have the luxury of using or giving away as I choose.

June 19, 2013, 01:12 PM	#9
dan1252 Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2013 Posts: 3	sweet.. what is the best way to find out if all the parts are original???

June 19, 2013, 03:21 PM	#10
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	There are many reference books available that discuss individual markings, changes and manufacture dates. The carbine book most used is "War Baby" by Ruth but expensive, your best bet is paperback U. S. M1 carbines, Wartime Production by Riesch. Some of the research is contradictory however works well for you and I breaking down a carbine or two. The biggest problem is you can quickly become addicted and that means $$$, the explosion took place about 10 years ago and now they command premium prices beyond what they should. I have a bunch of carbines of every manufacturer but I have always been a Carbine nut. Gave an original M1A1 to my good friend's daughter for her 16 th birthday, she added it to the collection and not even out of high school yet !

June 19, 2013, 04:40 PM	#11
dan1252 Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2013 Posts: 3	wow..... thank you very much i will look into those books! let you know what i find.

June 21, 2013, 05:39 PM	#12
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	$975 is steep, but not outlandish. Make an offer, see what happens. Haven't seen a decent one for under $800 in two years here.