Winchester Repeating Arms M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18” Semi-auto Rifle 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,802.00
LSB#: WY250407FB001
Make: Winchester
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 6496996
Year of Manufacture: Between December 1944 and June 1945.
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi Automatic rifle fed by Detachable Magazines.
Markings:
The top-rear of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / 6496996”
The top-front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE”, “CAL .30 M1”. The flat has a Firing proof punch. The bottom of the receiver is stamped with an “R1”.
The barrel is marked with a “PW” Mandatory Winchester firing proof about 6” back from the front sight. There is also a “W” punch about 3” back from the front sight. The side of the gas block is stamped with a faint Flaming bomb ordnance inspection mark. The barrel flat is marked with a faint “K” and a faint “8”.
The barrel band is marked with an “AI” for AUTOYRE-INLAND
The front sight is unmarked
The rear sight is marked Shield “H”-Hemphill MFG. Co.
The magazine release button is marked “M” and “W” for Winchester
The hammer is marked “W” for Winchester
The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “K”. The trigger group is marked “W”, and “1” for Winchester
The Safety is marked “EW” for Sargent & CO. correct for Winchester
The slide is marked “7160091”.- a Winchester Slide.
The Stock is stamped with a faint Ordnance Wheel on the right side and “W” in the sling cut correct for Winchester.
The lug is marked “W” for Winchester.
The upper handguard is marked “W” for Winchester.
The recoil lug is marked “W” for Winchester.
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the later style sliding aperture sight with a Knurled windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock on this rifle is an Oval cut, low wood stock with a four rivet handguard, a type two barrel band, and a cross bolt safety. The wood has been sanded and refinished. The LOP is 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The metal buttplate has lost most of its finish and has begun to turn brown from oil and age. There is no visible rust, and the checkering is mostly sharp. The wood shows small scrapes, compressions, and lines throughout. With notable rub wear on the left side of the handguard. There are no chips or cracks in the stock. Overall the wood is in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized and blued.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.25/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains 97% of its original metal finish. The bolt and receiver show finish wear on the friction surfaces. There is handling wear present with some notable rub wear on the barrel from the barrel band that has caused the majority of the finish loss. The markings are mostly clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good 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 includes three magazines, two marked “A.I.” and one marked “UI”. They show some surface oxidation and range in condition from fair to very good. The rifle also includes 4 field manuals
Our Assessment: The M1 Carbine, a marvel of American ingenuity, emerged from the urgent demands of World War II, forever changing the landscape of military firearms. Born from a critical need for a weapon lighter than the standard M1 Garand yet more potent than the pistols and submachine guns of the era, the M1 Carbine was a game-changer. It was the brainchild of a design competition won by a team led by the ingenious David “Carbine” Williams of Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Chambered for the new, efficient .30 Carbine round, it struck a perfect balance between power and portability.
Weighing a mere 5 pounds, the M1 Carbine was a paragon of versatility and ease. Its lightweight design made it a favorite among airborne troops, officers, and support units, anyone for whom agility was paramount. The Carbine’s detachable magazine, a novel feature at the time, allowed for swift reloading, enhancing its utility in the fast-paced combat of World War II. With effective range and firepower, it adeptly filled the gap between sidearms and the more cumbersome service rifles.
Post-war, the M1 Carbine’s legacy blossomed beyond military use, finding favor with civilians for hunting, self-defense, and sport shooting, bolstered by the surplus rifles flooding the market. Today, it stands not just as a piece of military history, but as a testament to innovative wartime engineering. Collectors and history buffs treasure the M1 Carbine for its significant role in shaping modern warfare, making it a revered icon in the pantheon of American firearms. This Winchester example is almost all Winchester correct parts. The barrel carries the relatively rare ordinance testing flaming bomb on the gas block. The markings are mostly clear. With this very clean bore this rifle will be a good collectable and should be a good shooter as well. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos Via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
