Quality Hardware M1 Carbine Un-Quality .30 Semi Automatic Rifle 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $4226

LSB#: 220209FH015

Make: Quality Hardware & Machine Company (Quality H.M.C.).
Union Switch & Signal (US&S) produced the receiver under contract for Quality Hardware (page 20 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition).

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 4462572

Year of Manufacture: October 29, 1943 to March 15, 1944 (page 30 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide).
Barrel Date: February, 1944

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Automatic, 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 “UN-QUALITY H.M.C. / 4462572” on the rear. Receivers produced by the  subcontractor Union Switch & Signal are marked “UN-QUALITY” (page 20 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The top of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFD. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 2 – 44” and “P”. Inland supplied barrels for Quality Hardware (page 50). The right side of the barrel shank is marked with a “flaming bomb”. The left rear of the trigger group is marked “Q-NL” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 78). The hammer is marked “LT-Q” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 89). The magazine release is marked “M/ WA” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 100 & 185). The smooth push button safety is unmarked which is consistent with Quality Hardware and others (page 95). The inside of the operating slide is marked “DA-Q” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “EM-Q” on the right lug which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 36). The front sight is marked “JQ” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 56). The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left and “GE-Q” on the right which are Quality Hardware marks (page 29). The Type IA barrel band is unmarked which is consistent with Quality Hardware and others (pages 59-60). The sling well is marked “Q-RMC” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 108-109). The inside of the handguard is marked “Q-RMC” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 138). The rear of the magazine is marked “UQ” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 142-143). The right side of the butt is marked with a “crossed cannons” cartouche overstamped by an Arsenal Rebuild stamp from the Rock Island Arsenal; “RIA / EB in a box”.

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 flip up dual aperture assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock has a pistol grip, Type IA barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The left side of the stock shows small surface repairs under the receiver. The left front of the forearm shows small deep scrapes. The top of the grip shows a hairline surface crack that ends at the recoil plate. The crack does not flex when pressure is applied. The wood shows scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some have damaged small portions of the surface wood. Most of these marks have been finished over. The LOP measures 13 1/4  inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine overall condition as refurbished.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild

Bore Condition: The muzzle and the grooves near the muzzle are light gray. The remainder of the bore has bright lands and semi bright grooves. The rifling is sharp. There is fouling in the grooves. There is erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves near the muzzle. The fouling should clean up a bit. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.7.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish.  The metal shows various small scrapes & handling marks. The barrel shows light thin scratches. The receiver has areas of surface erosion showing through the new finish. The barrel shows an area of thinning and discoloration under the handguard. The front sight shows surface erosion. The front of the barrel and front sight show discoloration from oxidation. The right side of the receiver shows some light operational wear. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a green canvas sling and a magazine. The sling shows soiling as well as fraying near the sling loop. The metal shows scrapes & oxidation. It is in about Very Good condition. The 15 round magazine shows scrapes, scratches and thinning. It is in Very Good condition.
The 15 round magazine is not available to residents of California or any other state with magazine capacity restrictions.

Our Assessment: The M1 Carbine was developed and produced after WWII started. Over 6 million were made by a number of U.S. companies to assist with the all out war effort. The M1 Carbine was widely issued to U.S. Military Forces which numbered over 16 million during WWII. The M1 Carbine contributed greatly to U.S. efforts during WWII.
During WWII Quality Hardware & Machine Company (Quality H.M.C.) was one of the many companies that tooled up to produce M1 Carbines to support the war effort. Quality Hardware produced about 5.9% of the total number of wartime M1 Carbines. Due to its lower production numbers Quality M1 Carbines are desired by many collectors.

This Quality Hardware M1 Carbine is marked “UN-QUALITY”, as the receiver was produced by Union Switch & Signal (US&S). US&S was a subcontractor for Quality Hardware. The rare “UN-QUALITY” receiver marking adds to the value of the rifle. This M1 Carbine uses mostly Quality Hardware parts. The magazine release is a post WWII replacement and the barrel was made by Inland. Quality Hardware did not produce barrels. Inland and other manufacturers supplied Quality Hardware with barrels to assemble M1 Carbines with at the Quality Hardware factory. This Quality M1 Carbine will add nicely to your collection and should be quite fun at the range.