Rock-Ola M1 M-1 Carbine Rockola Bavaria Austria CMP .30 Semi Auto Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $1626

LSB#: 220218RW019

Make: Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation.
After WWI this M1 Carbine was provided to the Bavarian Rural Police and later to the Austrian Police.

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 4619645

Year of Manufacture: January to March, 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: There is no import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30 M1.” on the front and “ROCK-OLA / 4619645” on the rear. The top left edge of the receiver is marked “BAVARIA RURAL POLICE”; this is a German Police marking. The barrel is marked “ROCK-OLA” and “P”. The gas piston housing is marked “ROCK-OLA” on the right. The left side of the barrel is marked with a “flaming bomb” to the rear of the gas piston. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “L.G.K.T. / 0086” which is an Austrian Police marking. The trigger group is marked “Inland” on the right rear which is an Inland mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is marked “I-I” which is an Inland mark (page 89). The magazine release is marked “M” and “SI” which is an Inland mark (page 100-101). The rotary safety is marked “circled S” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 95 & 185). The inside of the operating slide is marked “S” which is a Standard Products mark (page 65). The right side of the operating sling is marked with the last 4 digits of the serial number; this mark was added in Bavaria. The bolt is marked “.U.” under the left lug which is an Underwood mark (page 36). The top of the bolt is marked with the last 4 digits of the serial number; this mark was added in Bavaria. The front sight is unmarked which is consistent with Rock-Ola and others (page 56). The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left and “BR” on the right which are Rock-Ola marks (page 29). The replacement Type IA style barrel band is unmarked. This is not a USGI part. It may be a German or Austrian replacement (pages 59). The inside of the handguard is unmarked which is consistent with a post WWII rebuild (page 138). The sling well is marked “OI” which is an Inland mark (page 108-109). The face of the grip is marked with 2 “P” proofs. The right side of the butt and bottom of the grip each show faded markings. The rear of the magazine is marked “LU” which is an Underwood 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 flip up Type I dual aperture assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, replacement barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. Both sides of the butt show sanding marks. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Several have damaged or removed small portions of 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 Good to Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild
Portions of the metal have been treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep, less pronounced at the muzzle. There is intermittent light erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.3.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The areas of the metal have been treated with cold blue. The sides of the trigger group show light thinning under the wood. The remaining metal shows scrapes, small scratches and handling marks. The bolt and receiver show some operational wear. The markings on the metal are deep. The markings on the wood are faded. 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 Certificate of Authenticity from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and a 15 round magazine. The magazine shows scrapes, small scratches and oxidation. 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.
Please see photos as to the condition of the items listed.

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 WWII Rock-Ola M1 Carbine was made back in 1944 and has quite the history. In 1946 it was issued to the Bavarian Rural Police (Landpolizei) in Germany where it served for some time. It has Bavarian markings on the receiver, bolt and op rod. In 1956 it was purchased by Austria and issued to the Austrian Police (Gendarmerie). The bottom of the trigger guard is stamped with markings for the Austrian state of Tirol.
At some point The rifle was rebuilt but we do not know if it was rebuilt in Germany or in Austria. The rifle was purchased through the CMP and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. This is a good looking M1 Carbine to add to your collection. Good luck.
For more German & Austrian M1 Carbine info see:
www.bavarianm1carbines.com/bavaria.html www.bavarianm1carbines.com/Gendarmerie.html