Winchester M1 Carbine .30 Semi-Auto Rifle Paratrooper Stock C&R 1943
SOLD FOR: $2,666
WOA#: WY240201KD027
Make: Winchester
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 1143307
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Barrel Date: 3-1944 (Stamped by Underwood)
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi Automatic rifle fed by Detachable Magazine.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with “UNDERWOOD 3-44” and the Underwood proof also the barrel is stamped with “P”. The top front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” and the top rear is marked “WINCHESTER / 1143307”. The left side of the barrel band is marked “AMCO”. The hammer is marked “SW”. The bottom of the op rod block is marked “ U 7160091”. The back of the trigger group is marked “ST”. The magazine release is marked “M”. The safety is marked “P”.
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between 2 protective wings. The rear sight is a type II milled sliding adjustable aperture sight dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock appears to be a refinished real M1A1 paratrooper stock. The Stock has a full pistol grip. Wire folding stock with leather cheek piece, and spring loaded folding butt plate. The pistol grip wood has a “P” stamp and the butt plate has a casting number “B257614” with the appropriate proofs. The oiler is also in the stock. The length of pull is 13.25″ with the stock extended. The stock has some minor dings and compression marks in the wood. The bottom of the pistol grip has a small chip. The rest of the wood has no chips or cracks. The folder works well and the metal has a brown patina covering most of the surface of the metal. There are also some patches of surface rust on the metal and the oiler. The leather is intact with only minor surface scratches. The top handguard is a 4 rivet style handguard, it has some minor compressions and dings. Overall the stock is in Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no erosion in the bore. There is a small patch of surface rust just inside the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: The barrel, barrel band/bayonet lug, slide and front sight retain 95% of their original finish. The trigger group and receiver show finish loss on their leading edges and any friction points. The top of the bolt has lost most of its finish. The feed ramp is smooth and shiny. Over all this rifle rates in Good Condition as 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: The rifle comes with a green canvas sling.
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. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
