Possible to Upgrade? Winchester M1 Carbine

[martin08]

I suppose that if the original oiler, sling and mag can be found, it could be a little better. But otherwise, I will likely never find another one in this condition.





This was picked up directly from the eighty-eight year old Navy Veteran. He put twelve rounds through it to sight it in with his son in the 1960's, and put it back into the closet. Currently, he is searching for the mag, oiler and sling, and will call me if he finds them.

Don't worry, he asked, and I paid a fair price. He's delighted that it is going to a collector.

Now, the rest of the gun. Everything looks original and correct for a 6 million serial (Dec 1944). Barely needed a dusting. Plenty of pics, enjoy, and thanks for looking.

[ffeng31]

Very nice !! I am with envy..... And no, I dont think you will find a nicer example.

[redspoon]

Man that is nice Martin, it's a breath of fresh air to see one that's original (one owner since way back). Most of the 30 carbines nowadays have been humped pretty hard. Nice clear W.R.A. cartouche.
Congrats

[Junk Yard Dog]

The people at Winchester know you sneaked that out of their museum yet?

[martin08]

The people at Winchester know you sneaked that out of their museum yet?

I've been scouring the interweb for a couple of hours now, and am just beginning to absorb how truly scarce a gun in this condition is. The Winchester Museum folks might be knocking at my door any minute, now.

[RazorBurn]

The people at Winchester know you sneaked that out of their museum yet?

My thoughts exactly!!! Congratulations! That one is a beaut!!!

I thought my Winnie was nice until I saw yours. Mine is jealous of the Winchester wood yours has.

[desdem12]

[jones0430]

Primo condition in that one! The one I had back in 1970 had a lot more wear.

[BubbaDX]

Very nice looking carbine.

[Longcolt44]

OK guys, Martin has bought up all the foreign goodies he could find. Now he's coming for the US firesticks.

[neal45]

Magnificent. Congratulations.

That is the nicest one I have ever seen.

[Junk Yard Dog]

The people at Winchester know you sneaked that out of their museum yet?

I've been scouring the interweb for a couple of hours now, and am just beginning to absorb how truly scarce a gun in this condition is. The Winchester Museum folks might be knocking at my door any minute, now.

That has to have been one of Winchesters presentation rifles, the ones they were known to present to various high ranking military officers who they hoped would support more Winchester contracts. Even has the late war upgrades, also in new condition.

[martin08]

That's one of the most plausible explanations, JYD. There is mention in some older posts (circa 2010) on Jouster's Forum of ten presentation guns from this serial block which appeared on one table at a gun show, someplace, and some time earlier. The serial numbers on six of them are supposed to be recorded, somewhere....

...but that is the extent of information which I can find, using key search words such as "unissued", "as issued" or "presentation".

How the heck this gun landed in the hands of an Apprentice Seaman in 1945 is beyond me. Poker game? Just dumb luck?

[TulaTom]

What a find! Absolutely beautiful.

I've been negotiating my museum piece for over a year and a half. It's a Saginaw and doesn't have the bayonet lug. Looks entirely correct with the early flip up rear sights and early mag release mechanism. I've raised my offer to a more than generous level and I don't think it has anything to do with money at this point. I think the potential seller just has to reach a point when he's ready to sell. I drop a hint that I'm still interested every six months. Try not to push it though.

[Titanium Hammer]

Wow, just WOW! That is the nicest M1 Carbine I have ever seen Martin, congrats!

[finloq]

I don't see you spending a lot of time at the range with this one.

[Junk Yard Dog]

A few rounds now and them wouldn't hurt it any, little .30 carbine non corrosive rounds, it was cleaning that wore these out, rarely shooting, but we know how to clean them properly.

[finloq]

A few rounds now and them wouldn't hurt it any, little .30 carbine non corrosive rounds, it was cleaning that wore these out, rarely shooting, but we know how to clean them properly.

What? Should I dispose of all my steel cleaning rods?

[jones0430]

Interesting, an M2 bolt, M2 magazine release, M2 front barrel band and bayonet lug, but an M1 stock.

[shoto2758]

Beautiful, if he said he found it at a yard sale,i think i would of pulled all of my hair out.