WWII Rock-Ola M1 Carbine US Rockola M-1 .30 Semi Auto Rifle U.S. C&R

SOLD FOR: $2725

LSB#: 230405FT028

Make: Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation.

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 6072740

Year of Manufacture: April to June 1944 (page 30 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide).
No Barrel Date

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: The import mark on the barrel reads “ARL. ORD. ARLINGTON, VA”. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30 M1.” on the front and “ROCK-OLA / 6072740” on the rear. The barrel is marked “ROCK-OLA” and “P”. The gas piston housing is marked “ROCK-OLA” on the right. The trigger group is marked “ROCK-OLA” on the right rear which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is marked “W” which is a White Sewing Machine Co. mark (a Winchester “W” is smaller, pages 88- 89). The magazine release is marked “EI” which is an Inland mark (page 100-101). The rotary safety is marked “M inside a C” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (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 “P” which is a USGI replacement part by the Prestole Division of the Detroit Harvester Company (not listed page 56). The Type III rear sight is marked “I.R.CO.” which was used by a few other manufacturers (page 29). The Type III barrel band is marked “AMCO” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 59). The inside of the handguard is marked “OI” which is an Inland mark (page 138). The sling well is marked “RMC” which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 108-109). The right side of the butt is marked with a box containing “RMC” and with a “crossed cannons” cartouche. These are Rock-Ola marks (page 124). The rear of the magazine is marked “UQ” 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 two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, Type III barrel band with sling loop & bayonet lug, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The refinished buttplate has surface erosion showing through the new finish. The wood shows scattered scrapes and scratches as well as several small spots of discoloration. The rear of the butt shows a repair. Splices, nail heads and a repaired crack are visible at the repair. 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 overall condition as refurbished.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild

Bore Condition: The area near the muzzle is light gray. The remaining grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is fouling in the bore that should clean up some. There is erosion near the muzzle and light erosion in the remaining grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.4.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and light thinning on the leading edges. The metal also shows discoloration from both oxidation and oil residue. The gas piston housing shows small tool marks that have removed small areas of the finish. The barrel shows spots of thinning under the barrel band. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads show use. The markings on the metal are deep. The markings on the wood are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good 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 green nylon sling and a 15 round magazine. The magazine appears to function properly.
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.
The Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation was a top maker of jukeboxes. Starting in 1935, Rock-Ola sold more than 400,000 jukeboxes under the Rock-Ola brand name. It is thought to have inspired the term Rock & Roll. During WWII Rock-Ola was one of the many companies who helped with the war effort. Rock-Ola only produced about 3.7% of the total number of wartime M1 Carbines. Due to both the relative rarity of Rock-Ola M1 Carbines and the distinctive name, Rock-Ola M1 Carbines prized among collectors.

This Rock-Ola M1 Carbine was made back in 1944. After WWII it served for a US friendly country and was later imported back into the US for sales to the civilian market. It is marked accordingly on the barrel. The rifle has been rebuilt but still retains several Rock Ola parts including its ROCK-OLA marked barrel. This M1 Carbine has nice markings on the metal & wood.

…Now go shoot something!