WWII Quality Hardware M1 Carbine M-1 U.S. .30 Semi Automatic Rifle 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1726
LSB#: 210930TP94
Make: Quality Hardware & Machine Company (Quality H.M.C.)
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 1898695
Year of Manufacture: October to December, 1943 (page 30 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide). Barrel Date: 9 – 43.
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 “QUALITY H.M.C. / 1898695” on the rear. The barrel is marked “INLAND MFD. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 9 – 43” and “P” under the barrel band. Inland supplied barrels for Quality Hardware (page 50 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The barrel flat is marked with inspection stamps. The left rear of the trigger group is marked “Q-NL” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 78). The hammer is marked “LTR” which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 89). The Type IV magazine release is marked “M” which is consistent with a post WWII rebuild (page 100 & 185). The smooth push button safety is unmarked which is consistent with Quality Hardware and others (page 95). The inside of the operating slide is marked “PI” which is an Inland 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 “JQ” which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 56). The Type III rear sight is marked “I.R.CO. / 7160060” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 29). The Type III barrel band is unmarked which is consistent with a post WWII rebuild (pages 59-60 & 185). The sling well is marked “W” which is consistent with Winchester (page 108-109). The inside of the handguard is unmarked which is consistent with a post WWII rebuild (page 138 & 185). The rear of the magazine body is marked “IS” which is a Standard Products mark (page 142-143). The magazine floorplate is a replacement. It reads “UNIVERSAL FIREARMS CORP / HIALEAH FLORIDA”.
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 stock has a pistol grip, Type III barrel band with sling loop & bayonet lug, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows scrapes & thinning on the edges as well as discoloration. The nose of the stock shows deep scrapes. The wood shows several other scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some have damaged small portions of the 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 Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild
Bore Condition: The lands are bright. The muzzle & grooves are semi bright. The rifling is sharp. There is fouling and light intermittent erosion in the grooves near the muzzle. The fouling should clean up a bit. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.8.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The operating slide has been refinished. The metal shows scrapes & small scratches as well as varying degrees of discoloration from both oxidation and oil residue. The top of the barrel shows thinning under the barrel band. The left side of the receiver shows thinning under the wood. The right side of the receiver and bolt show some thinning consistent with cycling. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus 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 has a canvas sling attached. It shows light soiling on the canvas as well as scrapes & oxidation on the metal. It is in about Very Good Plus condition. The rifle comes with a 15 round magazine. It shows scrapes, discoloration and surface erosion. It is in about 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 was made back in 1943 and most likely saw use during WWII. After WWII it was rebuilt but retains several Quality Hardware marked parts. The Inland barrel appears to be original. Quality Hardware did not produce barrels. Inland and other manufacturers supplied Quality Hardware with barrels to assemble M1 Carbines with at the Quality Hardware factory. This M1 Carbine looks good for its age and should be lots of fun to shoot. This Quality M1 Carbine will add to your WWII collection.