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SPORTERIZED M1 CARBINE

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Louis Losi View Drop Down
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    Posted: Feb 11 2022 at 8:44pm
2022-B
Sporterizing the M1 Carbine
             By Louis Losi

Back in the 1950s and 60s when reasonably priced mail order surplus rifles were flooding the market, some buyers believed their rifle should look like a sporting rifle, not a military rifle. Remember, few if any collectors existed back then. The Williams Gun Sight Company sold a $1.00 8-1/2" X 11" booklet of approximately 73 pages to assist those in sporterizing their military rifle. Included were sporterizing instructions for the 1903 Springfield rifle, M1 carbine, 1917 Enfield rifle, 1898 U.S. Krag rifle, M1 rifle, Winchester Model 1895 rifle, British S.M.L.E. and variants including the No. 5 Mk1 rifle(Jungle Carbine). German Mauser Models 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 98 rifles. Swedish Mauser Models 93, 94, 95, 96 rifles. Argentine Mauser Model 91 rifle. Japanese Arisaka Models 38, 39. Norwegian Krag. Russian Model 91 rifle. Greek Mannlicher Schoenauer Model 1903 rifle. Swiss Rubin Model 1911 rifle. Williams Gun Sight Company also listed parts for sale needed for the sporterizing. I have included the pages for the sporterizing of the M1 carbine.

  http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/uploads/2066/Scan7.jpg
  http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/uploads/2066/Scan8.jpg
  http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/uploads/2066/Scan9.jpg
  http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/uploads/2066/Scan10.jpg



Edited by New2brass - Feb 13 2022 at 9:50am
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floydthecat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote floydthecat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 12 2022 at 5:18am
Very interesting, thanks for sharing this. Look at these material and labor costs. A nickel would buy you a Coke, minimum wage was about a dollar an hour and gasoline could be found in the high teens per gallon. My how things have changed.
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35 Whelen View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 35 Whelen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 12 2022 at 9:48am
I think I still have my father's copy of that book. It really was pretty interesting to read.
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DonFlynn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DonFlynn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 15 2022 at 9:28am
I bought one off of Gunbroker around Xmas for $900 with shipping and FFL fees



I tried liking the stock but just couldn't get into it. It's at Fulton Armory for repark and I'm using a USGI style stock when done
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DBlongrifle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DBlongrifle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 26 2022 at 4:02am
I dont understand why they invested in changing it's look, so much nicer as it was!!
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New2brass View Drop Down
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Dan Pinto, Photo Editor

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote New2brass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 26 2022 at 8:57am
Originally posted by DBlongrifle DBlongrifle wrote:

I dont understand why they invested in changing it's look, so much nicer as it was!!


What do you think of this one?

http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/uploads/5600/WinCommercial.jpg
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DBlongrifle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DBlongrifle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 26 2022 at 9:10am
That looks better, I take it they just changed to a thinner top hand guard?

Still prefer the original :)
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Dan Pinto, Photo Editor

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote New2brass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 26 2022 at 9:28am
The picture I posted was made by Winchester just after the war. They were considering a commercial version for the public. Keep in mind you could not get your hands on a carbine in the 40s.

Fast forward to the 60s when the M1 carbine was being sold as surplus they were considered cheap.
Many wanted to "upgrade" them to the latest standard.


In 1964 the first known book for collectors "Carbine Handbook" by Paul Wahl was published. It had sections on scoping the carbine as well as sporterizing the M1 carbine.


The 60s were an interesting time here in the states, Just look how we modified our motorcycles as well!

Sporterizing is a part of the carbine history and some collectors look for these now uncommon variants and parts.
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DonFlynn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DonFlynn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 26 2022 at 5:39pm
Originally posted by New2brass New2brass wrote:

Originally posted by DBlongrifle DBlongrifle wrote:

I dont understand why they invested in changing it's look, so much nicer as it was!!


What do you think of this one?

http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/uploads/5600/WinCommercial.jpg

Now that I sort of like, damn shame Winchester didn't follow though with it.

FYI, Fulton is processing my sporter Carbine this week, reparked and tuned up. I had them install a Type 3 barrel band.

From what they told me it'll have a slight "sheen" to the finish compared to a normal repark given the bluing polished the metal a tad. I'll post pics when it comes in of course
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Louis Losi View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Louis Losi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 26 2022 at 6:01pm
In the early 1960s, I sporterized a British No. 4 Mk 1 rifle. I believe I paid $19.99 for the rifle. Sporterizing it cost more than the cost of the rifle.
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