WWII Quality Hardware & Machine M1 Carbine .30 Cal Semi-auto Rifle 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,325.00
WOA#: WY240613CW003
Make: Quality Hardware & Machine Co.
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 1903045
Year of Manufacture: Receiver date July-August 1943, Barrel Date 5-1944
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, fed by detachable magazines.
Markings:
The top-rear of the receiver is marked “QUALITY H.M.C.”, and “1903045”.
The top-front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE”, “CAL .30 M1”.
The barrel is marked with a “P” about mid length, toward the muzzle is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 5-44”. The barrel flat is stamped with many overlapping numbers and letters.
The front sight is marked “N” for International Business Machine part
The rear sight is marked with “I.R.C.O.” for International Register CO.
The magazine release button is marked “CCM”
The receiver block in the stock is unmarked.
The inside of the upper handguard is marked “HQ”. For Quality Hardware supplied by Hillerich & Bradsbury makers of the Louisville Slugger baseball bats.
The hammer is illegibly marked
The trigger group is marked with a faint “INLAND” for Inland Division.
The right side of the stock is marked with an ordinance wheel.
The stock is marked “Q-RMC” for Rock-Ola music Co. made for QHMC. With a “P” acceptance mark on the grip.
The barrel band is unmarked
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 is a Oval cut, Low-wood, with a 2-rivet upper handguard, Type 3 barrel band with bayonet lug, and a checkered metal butt plate. This rifle also has the Later style cross flip style safety. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the stock. This refinished stock shows almost no signs of wear. There is a small rough patch on the left side just behind the nose. There are no chips or cracks. The handguard shows almost no signs of wear, there are no chips or cracks. The metal buttplate has lost its finish, turned brown with patina and has begun to rust. It also doesn’t fit quite right. Overall the wood is in Excellent condition. The buttplate is in Fair condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Parkerized and Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. There are some lines in the grooves from use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance of the metal surfaces have begun to turn or have turned brown / Green with patina. The majority of the finish loss is on the friction surfaces of the receiver, the bolt, the trigger guard, the edge of the barrel step, and the edges of the front sight. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Fine to Very Fine Condition for C&R.
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: During the early stages of World War II, the U.S. military recognized the need for a lightweight rifle that would bridge the gap between the heavy and cumbersome M1 Garand rifle and the standard issue sidearm, the M1911 pistol. The goal was to provide troops with a compact and easy-to-handle firearm that offered more firepower than a pistol but was lighter and more maneuverable than a full-size rifle.
In 1941, the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Department contracted with various manufacturers, including Winchester, IBM, and General Motors’ Inland Division, and Quality Hardware and Machine to develop and produce the M1 Carbine. The rifle was designed by a team led by firearms designer David Williams, who drew inspiration from the successful M1 Garand and the short-recoil action of the M1 Thompson submachine gun. The M1 Carbine featured a gas-operated, semi-automatic action and fired a .30 caliber cartridge known as the .30 Carbine. The cartridge, while less powerful than the standard .30-06 ammunition used in the M1 Garand, offered greater capacity and reduced recoil, making it more controllable and well-suited for short to medium-range engagements.
The M1 Carbine saw widespread use in World War II, becoming a staple firearm for American troops. It was praised for its reliability, ease of use, and versatility. The rifle was not only issued to U.S. forces but also provided to allied nations through various lend-lease programs.
This example of a Quality Hardware & Machine Co. 1944 M1 carbine features many unique parts from companies including the Inland division of General Motors, national postage meter and Rock-Ola Music Co. mostly known for making Juke boxes. It even has an upper handguard from Hillerich & Bradbury famous for making Louisville slugger baseball bats. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
