Winchester Repeating Arms M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18” Semi-auto Rifle 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,085.00
LSB#: WY240720TC004
Make: Winchester, BLUE SKY IMPORT.
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 6497239
Year of Manufacture: Between DEC. 1944 and June 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 / 6497239”
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 “G8”.
The barrel is marked with a very faint “PW” Mandatory Winchester firing proof about 3” back from the front sight. About 1.5” inches back from the front sight is a very faint “W” the side of the gas block is stamped with a faint Flaming bomb ordnance inspection mark. The barrel flat is marked with a faint “5”. The left side of the barrel is marked with “BLUE SKY / ARLINGTON, VA”. There is a known issue with Blue Sky imported guns in that sometimes they stamped the import mark so deep it took the barrel out of round. Before firing this rifle please have it evaluated by a competent gunsmith.
The barrel band is marked with a “SA” a Springfield Armory replacement part.
The front sight is unmarked
The rear sight is marked Shield “H”-Hemphill MFG. Co.
The magazine release button is marked “M”
The hammer is marked “WA” for Winchester
The right side of the trigger group is marked “N” for National Postal Meter with a batch number on the left side of “9”.
The Safety is marked “EW” for Sargent & CO. correct for Winchester
The sear is marked “-U-” for Underwood Elliot Fisher
The slide is marked “7160091 X”.- a Winchester Slide.
The Stock is shows no visible markings.
The lug is unmarked
The upper handguard is marked “RMC” for Rock-Ola Music company.
The oiler markings have worn away.
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 two rivet handguard, a type three barrel band with bayonet lug, and a cross bolt safety. The LOP is 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The metal buttplate has been refinished and the patina underneath the refinish is starting to show through. There is a small patch of visible rust, and the checkering is mostly sharp. The stock shows scrapes, compressions, and lines throughout. There is a large punch mark below the sling cut on the left hand side, there are also scattered gouges and cuts in the stock mostly on the belly of the forend. There is a chip that has been replaced just behind the lug and a medium scuff on the left side of the nose. There are no visible cracks. The upper handguard shows scratches and compressions scattered throughout with no visible cracks. Overall the wood is in about Fair+ to Good condition for C&R given the rifle’s age.
Type of Finish: Parkerized and blued.
Finish Originality: Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is defined. There is very minor visible erosion throughout the bore with lines from use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains 95% of its refinished metal finish. The bolt and receiver show finish wear on the friction surfaces. There is handling wear present with scattered finish loss but no notable damage or marrs. The screw heads are serviceable, and the markings range from Very Faint to Very Clear. Overall this rifle is in Good condition for C&R given its age.
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. There is a known issue with Blue Sky imported guns in that sometimes they stamped the import mark so deep it took the barrel out of round. Before firing this rifle please have it evaluated by a competent gunsmith.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes the attached Green Canvas sling. It also includes 5x 30 round magazines in Like New condition, 7 x15 round magazines in Excellent condition, and a WOLF rifle service pack containing replacement springs for the rifle.
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 M1 carbine was produced towards the end of the war in early 1945. It contains mostly correct for Winchester parts, with the interesting inclusion of the Underwood sear, Underwood known for making typewriters, the Rock-OLA upper handguard they were famous for making Juke Boxes, and the National Postal Meter trigger group complete with the visible batch number. Despite being imported by Blue Sky this is a very unique rifle that tells a unique story. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos Via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
