Winchester Repeating Arms M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18” Semi-auto Rifle 1945 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,675.00

WOA#:  WY240613CW002

Make:  Winchester

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 6621046

Year of Manufacture: Between Nov. 1944 and January 1945 most likely January of 1945 given the production batch numbers.

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Automatic rifle fed by Detachable Magazines.

Markings:

The top-rear of the receiver is marked “WINCHESTER / 6621046”

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 “R”.

The barrel is marked with a “PW” Mandatory Winchester firing proof about 3” back from the front sight. Above the chambers is stamped with what appears to be a faint “A” 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”.

The barrel band is marked with a “C” C. Cowles & Co. correct for Winchester

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 “W”. The trigger group is marked “W” 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 an Ordnance Wheel and “W” in the sling cut correct for Winchester.

The lug is marked “W” for Winchester.

The upper handguard is marked “IO” for S.E. OVERTON CO.

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 three barrel band with bayonet lug, and a cross bolt safety. The wood appears to have been partially lightly sanded and refinished. The LOP is 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The upper handguard shows minor depressions, lines, two very small chips and a few small dents on the outside. The metal buttplate has lost most of its finish and has begun to patina. There is no visible rust, and the checkering is mostly sharp. The stock shows small scrapes, compressions, and lines throughout. With a large compression on the left side just above the trigger and a few small chips out of the comb and one chip from the sling well cut. There is some typical wear on the nose. There are no cracks in the stock. Overall the wood is in about Fine condition for C&R.

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 9/10.

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 no notable damage or marrs. The finish has turned brown with age and patina, very common for a rifle of this age. Overall this rifle is in Fine to Very Fine condition for C&R original.

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: None.

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 with the exception of the S.E. Overton handguard which are usually found on Inland rifles. The barrel carries the relatively rare ordinance testing flaming bomb on the gas block. The markings are mostly clear with the above noted exceptions. With the very clean barrel 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.

Winchester Repeating Arms M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18” Semi-auto Rifle 1945 C&R
Winchester Repeating Arms M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18” Semi-auto Rifle 1945 C&R