WWII Rock-Ola M1 Carbine .30 Rifle C&R Korea Blue Sky Import
SOLD FOR: $1,350
WOA#: WY231030RS006
Make: Rock-Ola
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 1737539
Year of Manufacture: 1942-1943
Barrel Date: None.
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “BLUE SKY / ARLINGTON, VA.”. The top of the barrel is marked “ROCK-OLA”. The top front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” and the top rear is marked “ROCK-OLA / 1737539”. The left side of the barrel band is marked “SI”. There are several proofs on the barrel flat. The right side of the receiver leg is marked with an INLAND manufacture stamp upside down. The hammer is marked “W”. The bottom of the op rod block is marked “D-7161843 / SG”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches
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 type III oval low cut two piece hardwood stock has a semi-pistol grip, Type III barrel band with sling loop and bayonet lug, sling well, sling pass through, and metal buttplate. The LOP measures 13.25 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are a couple compression marks on the bottom of the stock. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The grooves are bright and rifling is deep. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is oxidation throughout as well as some patina. There is thinning on the leading edges. There is some pinprick erosion on the rear sight and on parts of the receiver. The barrel has some minor erosion. Most of the markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition as refinished.
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, a 30 round M2 magazine marked J, 2x 15 round “U” marked magazines in a two-cell magazine pouch, and 2x 30 round “J” marked magazines in a two-cell magazine pouch.
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 refurbished Rock-Ola M1 Carbine will make an excellent addition to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
