USGI M1 Carbine question.

[PressCheck]

Just aquired a M1Carbine. Saginaw (S.G); serial #3309xxx. This Carbine is beautiful, wood is perfect. Deep crossed cannons cartouch on the side w/ the letter "P" on the end of the pistol grip. The only thing that appears not to be Saginaw is the barrel which says Springfield 1952. Barrel is so perfect it looks like it's chromed. Looks likes it has spent it's life moving from armory to armory.

Things that seem to good to be true - generally are!

Question: What do think I have? What is the value? Should I shoot it (I probably will anyway)?

Edited for spelling.

 

[GnL]

try this...

I had a similar question about an M1 Carbine I bought a month ago. I went to http://www.gunandknife.com and asked my questions about markings, etc and got exactly what I was looking for within about 24 hours. Very knowledgeable people in the forums there. Check it out if you don't get an answer here.

 

[awisler]

I would second the recommendation to post at the Gun & Knife forum -- that's where the hard-core C&R collectors hang out, and they can give you good advice, esp. about value of your rifle in the current market. My guess is that your rifle was armory-rebuilt either in the US or Korea (1952 Springfield barrel is obviously a post-WWII replacement). Look for a reimport stamp on the barrel (usually on the bottom of the barrel in front of the barrel band -- it would have the name of the reimport company, e.g., Blue Sky, etc.). If your rifle is a reimport, it's probably worth less than $500 in the collector's market, which doesn't make it any less nice to own and enjoy. I'd say you do have a shooter there, though, so go ahead and put some rounds through it. Best wishes.

Andrew