WWII Quality Hardware M1 Carbine M-1 .30 Semi Automatic Rifle 1943 C&R

SODL FOR: $1377

LSB#: 220209FH016

Make: Quality Hardware & Machine Company (Quality H.M.C.)

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 1639181

Year of Manufacture: July to September, 1943 (page 30 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide).
Barrel Date: 5 – 44.

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 “QUALITY H.M.C. / 1639181” on the rear. The left side of the receiver has “S5” scraped into it below the wood line. The barrel is marked “INLAND MFD. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 5 – 44” and “P”. Inland supplied barrels for Quality Hardware. The left rear of the trigger group is marked “Q-NL” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is marked “LT-Q” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 89). The Type IV magazine release is marked (faded) “LT-Q” which is a Quality Hardware 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 “UN-Q” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “N” and “11” on the right lug which are National Postal Meter marks (page 36). The front sight is marked “JQ” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 56). The Type III rear sight is marked “I.R.CO. / 7160060” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 29). The Type IA barrel band is unmarked which is consistent with Quality Hardware and others (pages 59-60 & 185). The sling well is marked “Q-RMC” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 108-109). The inside of the handguard is marked “RMC” which is a Quality Hardware mark used by a few others (page 138). The right side of the buttstock is marked with a “crossed cannons” cartouche. The rear of the magazine body is marked with a “crossed out SQ” over “SP-S’G’ ” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 142-143).

Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a Type III adjustable 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 top of the butt is missing a section of wood next to the buttplate. The wood shows several other scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some have damaged small portions of the surface wood. 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 overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild

Bore Condition: The lands are bright. The muzzle & grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is fouling and light intermittent erosion in the grooves near the muzzle. The fouling should clean up a bit. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.8.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The trigger housing shows some thinning on the edges. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and discoloration. The discoloration is from both oil and oxidation. The receiver and bolt show 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 sling and a magazine. The 15 round magazine shows several small scrapes and light scratches. It is in about Very Good Plus condition.
The 15 round magazine is not available to residents of California or any other state with magazine capacity restrictions.
Please see photos as to the condition of the listed items.

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 was made back in 1943. After WWII it was rebuilt but still retains many of its Quality Hardware parts. The Inland barrel is a replacement but Inland barrels were used as original equipment. 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 M1 Carbine looks pretty good for its age and should be lots of fun to shoot. This Quality M1 Carbine will add to your WWII collection.

WWII Quality Hardware M1 Carbine M-1 .30 Semi Automatic Rifle 1943 C&R
WWII Quality Hardware M1 Carbine M-1 .30 Semi Automatic Rifle 1943 C&R