Rock-Ola Rockola M1 Carbine Hard Chrome 18″ C&R Military Semi-Automatic Rifle, 1944 .30 Carbine

SOLD FOR: $1,075.00
LSB#: 
180828BM14

Make: Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 4547091

Year of Manufacture: January to March,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: The import mark under the barrel is in tiny text. It reads “ARL. ORD. ARLINGTON VA”. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30 M1” on the front and “ROCK-OLA / 4547091” on the rear. The barrel is marked “ROCK-OLA” and “P”. The left side of the barrel is marked with a “flaming bomb” above the barrel flat. The gas piston housing is marked “ROCK-OLA” on the right. The trigger group is marked “N / 16” on the left rear which is a National Postal Meter Mark along with a production mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is marked “S’G’” which was used by Irwin-Pederson & Saginaw S’G’ (page 89). The magazine release is marked “HI” which is an Inland mark (page 100). The rotary safety is marked “N.” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (pages 95 & 184). The Type 5 operating slide is marked “PI” which is an Inland mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “N / 14” on the left lug which is a National Postal Meter Mark along with a production mark (page 36). The face of the front sight is marked “T R” which was used by Rock-Ola and Underwood (page 56). The Type III rear sight is marked “I.R.CO. / 7160060” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 29 & 185). The Type III barrel band is marked “EM-Q” on the lug and “J.M.Q” on the lug which are Quality Hardware marks (pages 59). The inside of the handguard is marked “PI” which is not listed in our reference material (page 138). The inside of the sling is marked with faded South Korean markings that include an “eagle”, “1990” and with South Korean characters.

Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable Type III aperture.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The semi gloss finished hardwood stock has a pistol grip, metal barrel band, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The refinished buttplate has small dents and cleaned surface erosion showing through the finish. The left side of the butt shows compression marks and thin scratches. The remainder of the wood shows various light scrapes & light handling marks. Most of these marks have been finished or oiled 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 Fine overall condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Hard Chrome

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright; semi bright at the muzzle. The rifling is crisp. There is no visible erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. Small scratches show through the finish. A few small spots of pin prick surface erosion show through the finish on the barrel. The finish shows various light scrapes & light handling marks. The screw heads show use but are refinished. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine 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: The rifle comes with a nylon South Korean sling that has been colored black. It shows scratches & oxidation on the metal. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

Our Assessment: This Rock-Ola M1 Carbine was built during WWII. After the war it served another country (probably South Korea) and was eventually imported back into the U.S. for sales to the civilian market. It has been has been rebuilt using a mix of Rock-Ola & USGI parts. This Rock-Ola M1 has a nice deep “ROCK-OLA” markings on the rear of the receiver, on the barrel and on the gas piston housing. Rock-Ola M1 Carbines are hard to find. This one has been hard chromed and sits in a refinished stock. The rifle has a Very Distinctive look that will definitely set it apart from other M1 Carbines. Good luck.

Here is some history on the Rock-Ola company m1family: “The Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation was, along with Wurlitzer, a top maker of jukeboxes. The company, which originally made slot machines, scales and pinball machines, was founded in 1927 by Coin-Op pioneer David Cullen Rockola…During the 1920s, Rockola was linked with Chicago organized crime and escaped a jail sentence by turning State’s Evidence. Starting in 1935, Rock-Ola sold more than 400,000 jukeboxes under the Rock-Ola brand name, which predated the rock and roll era by two decades, and is thought to have inspired the term…Rock-Ola was also one of the producers of the M1 carbine for the US Military during WWII, making 3.7% of the 6,221,220 made. Due to both the relative rarity of Rock-Ola carbines and the distinctive name, they are highly prized among collectors.”

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This rifle is curio and relic eligible and can be transferred/sold in California.

Rock-Ola Rockola M1 Carbine Hard Chrome 18" C&R Military Semi-Automatic Rifle, 1944 .30 Carbine
Rock-Ola Rockola M1 Carbine Hard Chrome 18″ C&R
Military Semi-Automatic Rifle, 1944 .30 Carbine