M1 Carbine - with rear sight ground off (Update with pics pg 2)

January 31, 2019, 07:01 AM

bionic218

quote:
Originally posted by SgtGold:
quote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
quote:
A recent American Riflsman issue had a short story on a Winchester carbine with the same rear sight.

If you could tell me which issue, I'd really like to place a WTB ad for a copy of the magazine. That would be a nice bit of kit to keep with the rifle for my kids to have someday.

I may still have it. If I do it's yours.

That would be awesome. My email is in my profile if you run across it. Thank you!

January 31, 2019, 11:16 AM

jhe888

I have no interest in modified military surplus guns. I want them original.

If your use is different, suit yourself.

January 31, 2019, 06:15 PM

SgtGold

quote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
quote:
Originally posted by SgtGold:
quote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
quote:
A recent American Riflsman issue had a short story on a Winchester carbine with the same rear sight.

If you could tell me which issue, I'd really like to place a WTB ad for a copy of the magazine. That would be a nice bit of kit to keep with the rifle for my kids to have someday.

I may still have it. If I do it's yours.

That would be awesome. My email is in my profile if you run across it. Thank you!

Here's a link to the issue in question, American Rifleman June 2018. The article is on page 40.

January 31, 2019, 06:40 PM

bionic218

quote:
Here's a link to the issue in question

Thanks! That's a cool little article. I appreciate you finding it for me.

January 31, 2019, 07:49 PM

SgtGold

quote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
quote:
Here's a link to the issue in question

Thanks! That's a cool little article. I appreciate you finding it for me.

Glad I could help.

January 31, 2019, 07:51 PM

jaybirdaccountant

quote:
Originally posted by jhe888:
I have no interest in modified military surplus guns. I want them original.

I'm with you on that one. I don't want any metal or wood alterations.

February 01, 2019, 03:42 PM

SgtGold

quote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
quote:
Here's a link to the issue in question

Thanks! That's a cool little article. I appreciate you finding it for me.

If you still want the hard copy let me know.

February 01, 2019, 05:30 PM

bionic218

quote:
Originally posted by SgtGold:
quote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
quote:
Here's a link to the issue in question

Thanks! That's a cool little article. I appreciate you finding it for me.

If you still want the hard copy let me know.

Yeah, I'd take it, and I'd be happy to reimburse you the postage or whatever it takes. Send me an email (in profile) and we'll get it set up. Thanks!

February 01, 2019, 06:51 PM

BravoSierra

May be possible that it was a Bavarian. There are examples that had the rear ground off. Are there any markings outside the ordinary markings on it?

I used this site to help me with my Bavarian/Austrian:

http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/index.html

February 01, 2019, 07:08 PM

bionic218

quote:
May be possible that it was a Bavarian.

It is possible. I'm still deciphering some of the markings, but I have much to learn.

February 08, 2019, 11:07 AM

Rev. A. J. Forsyth

I voted to buy. Carbines aren't getting, nor will be any cheaper than they are today. Yeah, she's all Bubbafied, but Bubba didn't do too bad of a job.

I would buy it, add it to the collection as an interesting gun, shoot it on Sundays during Lent, and move on.

February 08, 2019, 11:51 AM

RogueJSK

quote:
Originally posted by BravoSierra:
May be possible that it was a Bavarian. There are examples that had the rear ground off. Are there any markings outside the ordinary markings on it?

The small number of Bavarians with the rear peep sight removed had an alternate rear V-notch sight soldered on the front of the receiver. The original rear sight location was then grooved to prevent glare. This carbine has neither feature, and doesn't have any Bavarian markings anyway.

This was a civilian gunsmith job, done after the carbine was surplused.

February 08, 2019, 10:53 PM

bionic218

quote:
This was a civilian gunsmith job, done after the carbine was surplused.

After much study and reading, that is the conclusion I have reached as well. Although it was very well done. They didn't get into the edges of the receiver on either side, but maintained the curvature of the receiver when they did the work. Certainly spent more time with it than I probably would have invested. Which leads me back to two options.

A. The rear sight was missing or the dove-tail for it was somehow damaged, and the previous owner replaced it as best he/she could. (We in the internet age often forget how difficult it was pre-web to find every little tid-bit we want for our guns, and have it sent to our door in three days.)

B. The shooter wanted more precision than the standard peep sight with 50 yard increments could allow. The Williams does offer an impressive range of adjustment. I'd say it's adjustments outstrip even the caliber's abilities, much less the abilities of an average shooter like me.

Either way, it's been a hoot to play with. Having never owned one, I didn't realize just how nifty these little rifles are. Impossible to shoot without grinning. Just a good time!

By the way, the Inland has been moved to an era correct Underwood stock that I scabbed off ebay, which much improves the look and feel of the gun. The two look very similar now, with the obvious exception of the rear sight.

February 09, 2019, 09:48 PM

MMA10mm

quote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
quote:
This was a civilian gunsmith job, done after the carbine was surplused.

After much study and reading, that is the conclusion I have reached as well. Although it was very well done. They didn't get into the edges of the receiver on either side, but maintained the curvature of the receiver when they did the work. Certainly spent more time with it than I probably would have invested. Which leads me back to two options.

A. The rear sight was missing or the dove-tail for it was somehow damaged, and the previous owner replaced it as best he/she could. (We in the internet age often forget how difficult it was pre-web to find every little tid-bit we want for our guns, and have it sent to our door in three days.)

B. The shooter wanted more precision than the standard peep sight with 50 yard increments could allow. The Williams does offer an impressive range of adjustment. I'd say it's adjustments outstrip even the caliber's abilities, much less the abilities of an average shooter like me.

Either way, it's been a hoot to play with. Having never owned one, I didn't realize just how nifty these little rifles are. Impossible to shoot without grinning. Just a good time!

By the way, the Inland has been moved to an era correct Underwood stock that I scabbed off ebay, which much improves the look and feel of the gun. The two look very similar now, with the obvious exception of the rear sight.

Well, considering the details of how the rear sight was cut off, and since you've already bought it, here's what I'd do. (Keep in mind, although I like Williams receiver sights, I wouldn't want one on my carbine, and to my mind mil-surps should stay "military-ish.")

I'd find a mount and scope and a GOOD (skilled) welder *who understands the dangers of the heat-treat of the receiver* and "convert" that Winchester to a T30. I don't believe any T30s were built by Winchester (only Inland), but it would return the rifle to looking military and cover up the bubba-ed rear sight... Collectors would know better (I hope), so you're not being deceptive. And you'd have a rare version and highly shootable version of the Carbine...

Inland T30