Rock-Ola M1 Carbine .30 Semi Automatic Rifle MFD 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1675
LSB#: 210917MW18
Make: Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 6087155
Year of Manufacture: April to June, 1944 (page 30 of Scott Duff’s book The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide; an Approximate Date) No Barrel Date
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine
Markings: There is no import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30 M1.” on the front and “ROCK-OLA / 6087155” on the rear. The barrel is marked “ROCK-OLA” and “P”. The gas piston housing is marked “ROCK-OLA” on the right. The left side of the barrel shank is marked with a “flaming bomb”. The trigger group is marked “Q-NL” overstamped by “ROCK-OLA” on the right rear. Our research indicates that this is a Quality Hardware trigger group shipped to Rock-Ola, due to a shortage, and then stamped by Rock-Ola. The double stamping is not covered in our reference material. (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is marked “KR” which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 89). The magazine release is marked “WA / M” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 100-101 & 185). The smooth push button safety is unmarked which was used by Rock-Ola and others (page 95). The bottom of the operating slide is marked “ROCK-OLA” which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “ROCK-OLA” on the right lug which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 36). The front sight is marked “EU” which is an Underwood mark (page 56). The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left and “IN B” on the right which is an IBM mark (page 29). The Type I barrel band is unmarked which is consistent with Rock-Ola and others (pages 59). The inside of the handguard is marked “RMC” which was used by Rock-Ola, Underwood and Quality Hardware (page 138). The sling well is marked “RMC” which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 108-109). The right side of the stock is marked with a faded “crossed cannons” cartouche next to a faded Rock-Ola cartouche “RMC in a rectangle” (see page 124 for photo). The recoil plate is marked “ROCK-OLA” which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 135). The left side of the butt is marked “STD / PROD / RWH” which is a rebuild stamp from the Standard Products Corporation (page 184).
Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a Type I, dual flip up aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, Type I barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows scrapes & thinning on the edges. The bottom of the grip is missing some edge wood. The wood shows scrapes, small scratches and compression marks. Several of the marks have damaged small areas of the surface wood. These marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 13 ¼ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The grooves near the muzzle are light grey. There is fouling and intermittent light erosion in the grooves near the muzzle.The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.5.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, thin scratches, and light thinning on the leading edges of the metal. The barrel shows thinning and spots of discoloration from oxidation. The front sight band shows a large scratch on the bottom. The right side of the receiver shows thinning consistent with cycling. The screw heads show use. The markings on the metal are deep. Some of the stock markings are faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: There is no magazine. The rifle comes with a green canvas sling. The sling shows light soiling on the canvas as well as light scrapes on the metal. The sling also shows fraying at the rear sling tab. It is in about Very Good Plus condition.
Our Assessment: This Rock-Ola M1 Carbine was made back in 1944. At some point it was “Arsenal Rebuilt” by the Standard Products Corporation. It still uses lots of its original Rock-Ola parts. There are lots of Rock-Ola markings on both metal & wood. Rock-Ola produced a small percentage of the total number of WWII M1 Carbines, making Rock-Ola M1 Carbines quite collectible. Good luck.