Quality Hardware M1 Carbine Un-Quality .30 Semi Automatic Rifle 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $5526
LSB#: 211006MW05
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: 4441968
Year of Manufacture: October to December, 1943 (page 30 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide. No Barrel Date
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi Automatic, Detachable Magazine
Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30 M1” on the front and “UN-QUALITY H.M.C. / 4441968” 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 “W”, with a Winchester “PW in an oval” proof mark, and “P”. Winchester supplied barrels for Quality Hardware (page 50). The left rear of the trigger group is marked “NL-Q” 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 “EP-Q” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 100). The checkered 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 “POQ” 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 “W” which is a Winchester mark (page 108-109). The inside of the handguard is marked “W” which is a Winchester mark (page 138). The rear of the magazine is marked “UQ” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 142-143). The dual magazine pouch is marked “U.S.” on the front flap and “B.B.S. CO. / 1943” on the rear.
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 1A barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows small scratches, small dents, and discoloration from oxidation. 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. There is a chip of edge wood missing next to the recoil plate. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Many have damaged small portions of the surface wood. Most of these marks have been oiled. The LOP measures 13 ? 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
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 and intermittent light 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 92% of its metal finish. The left side of the receiver, under the wood, shows areas of thinning. The right side of the trigger group shows areas of light thinning. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and discoloration from oil residue and oxidation. The right side of the receiver shows thinning consistent with cycling. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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 comes with a green canvas sling, green canvas dual mag pouch, and a magazine. The sling shows light soiling on the canvas as well as scrapes & light surface erosion on the metal. It is in about Very Good condition. The mag pouch canvas shows light soiling and light fading. The metal snap shows oxidation. It is in about Very Good Plus condition. The 15 round magazine shows several small scrapes & thin scratches. The left side shows a patch of surface erosion as well as thinning from aggressive cleaning. It is in about 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 stock & handguard are made by a Winchester. The Winchester barrel appears original. Quality Hardware did not produce barrels. Winchester 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.