Offered for sale is one of the first 50,000 M1 carbines built by Quality Hardware during WW II. It is serial number 1595XXX and marked with the Quality name near the serial number. Based on serial number records that I see on line, Quality built around one million carbines if all of the assigned serial numbers were actually used.
The barrel is manufactured by Inland and the stock is marked with the Q-RMC in the sling/oiler cutout opening. This carbine utilizes the low wood design stock front end and the oiler opening is oval cut. The upper hand guard is the two rivet type and both are intact. The metal finish is very good with no rust on the weapon and the stock has only very small dings with no major marking. No rebuilt markings are visible on the stock. The barrel is clean with distinct lands and is very tight. A field test (inserting 30 caliber carbine bullet into the end of the barrel) confirms the tight fit.
The magazine release button has the M marking and the back of the operating slide has a number 4 imprinted on it as well as D-7161843-7 HSA on the bottom of the assembly. The original push button safety has been retained. The adjustable rear sight and bayonet mount likely were added at a later date but I have no way of confirming that educated assumption.
This carbine appears to be a very nice weapon that could be considered collector grade. A correct GI sling/oiler is included with the carbine but no magazines. An original GI magazine can be purchased separately if needed.
This is one of the nicest WW II carbines that I have see and is priced reasonably for what you are getting. It has no visible import marks and likely remained in US service until removed from the government inventory. High resolution internal and external photos of this weapon are available on request. Shipping (if required) will be at the expense of the purchaser.
The asking price for this piece of history is $1000 plus shipping if you are from out of state.
Nelson
Nelson
[This message has been edited by hnthomps (edited 06-28-2013).]
