Looking for a valuation of an M1 Carbine

LSU91 · Aug 3, 2019

Hello all
A good friend has an M1 carbine that he wants to sell as his health is failing and with no heirs he wants to liquidate his gun collection, so we're looking for a valuation. According to his best recollection, he traded his services for this gun 30 or so years ago, and remembers the owners telling him that it was acquired by their soldier father while deployed in WW2 as as ceremonial weapon and brought back soon after. Viewing the condition of the barrel and bore, it looks like the weapon is pristine other than normal patina, so it's possible that the weapon was never fired outside the factory - but this is just speculation. I've done a bit of research but I need some experts to weigh in on the actual value of this piece. I appreciate any and all conversation/information about it, so please feel free to contribute an opinion!
Thanks
Jason

NIGHTLORD40K · Aug 3, 2019

High-wood, I cut stock, flat bolt, flip sight, push-button safety, single-rivet handguard, Type 1 band- all correct for an early Underwood as it left the factory. Looks good, deducting a few points for the "personalization" of the stock. Around here, I would expect to see that rifle at a gunshow with $1,500 to $1,800 on the tag.

CapnMac · Aug 3, 2019

Type 1 band, "L" rear sight Underwood, probably north of $2500 at the local gun shows.
Would expect to see $3500 on GB.
On Armslist, you'd get all kind of offers for $200 and a used Hi-Point . . .

However, that does not mean a careful shopper could not find one for around $800, too.

hso · Aug 3, 2019

Please wipe off that rust with an oil soaked terry towel until it comes clean :thumbup:

At next weekend's collector show I would expect that to bring $1700 from a collector who would complain bitterly about the stock all the while they counted the money out as fast as they could. If the stock wasn't "defaced", they'd be counting out up to $2500 rapidly while complaining about some imagined problem.

JT-AR-MG42 · Aug 3, 2019

I would expect to see that carbine go for north of two easily on GB in the first cycle.
Maybe more since it is an Underwood (a little more uncommon than an Inland).
That is a very pristine war 2 sling (late war OD) on it as well.

No chore to move it at all. The gun will do the heavy lifting.
Just follow hso's advice (gently!) and do a little practice getting your macro shots clear.
For the money you will be expecting - razor sharp photos really add to the value.
I personally think gun photos look their best in shaded natural light with a bright colored background.

Since it is a carbine, you can expect potential buyers to want to see every parts stamp on the gun.
My advice would be to photo it from every angle imaginable - both close and macro
- and then yard it apart to show the spring housing and piston area.
About 60 or so photos total will generate your best sale.

It is nice of you to help a good friend with the sale of his stuff.
It can be a daunting task.

JT

LSU91 · Aug 5, 2019

LSU91 · Aug 5, 2019

One more pic showing the date of the barrel (2-44), marked below the underwood stamp. I couldn't see it at all with the naked eye, but the camera picked it up.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/ima...riginal.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds

LSU91 · Aug 7, 2019

Here's some additional pics if anyone is interested, appreciate your feedback!
https://beta.photobucket.com/u/LSU91/a/328bdb75-547c-4ad6-972e-eb6e0becbf90

Looking for a valuation of an M1 Carbine

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