this is the picture of an M1 Carbine barrel.  It has the Winchester "W" stamped on it lower down.  In the attached picture, near the muzzle there is what looks to like what was stamped as oval perhaps with writing inside.  The barrel belong to a post-ww 2 rebuild that has all usgi ww2 parts.  Can anyone looking at that photo give me any insights as to what it probably is?  Could it be random scratches? any opinions, insights or knowledge would be greatly appreciated.  

 

After posting this, i look at the picture some more and I think i see another oval below where there are the clear marks.  I can't tell if what looks like pitting could be the remnants of a stamp, but while I'm aware of the Winchester oval stamps, I'm not sure what might be written or if just pitting and scratches.  

hello,

I do not know the answer to your question.  However, I recently bought a WWII Winchester carbine on a whim.  I was actually annoyed with myself for not researching it beforehand.  So fast forward a month.  I moonlight in a high-end antiques shop.  We are currently selling a high-end collection.  In the collection is a book called 'War Baby Vol 1'.  It is a book entirely on WWII M1 carbines.

 

I read it.  I highly recommend it but it is a little pricey.  Anyway, in the book it was explained that in 1944 the US Government cancelled all carbine contracts except for Underwood and Winchester as an 'atta boy' for delivering so many carbines.  Shrewdly Winchester bought up all leftover parts from the other contractors and assembled remaining carbines with these other parts.  So in theory, a WWII mismatch of WWII parts from Winchester from late 1944 and onwards could be, 'as built'.  I had no idea. I found this interesting.  Mine was made around September 1944.  Mine has a Rock-Ola barrel.  No import marks.  So, who knows but based on the book I would say there is a chance it could be a Winchester 'Frankenstein' carbine. Cheers!

By the way, you may want to post this on the US Militaria Forum which is a sister site.  I thought I was there when answering this.  I then realized I was on the World Militaria Forum.  

There should be a PW in the oval which is the Winchester proof mark.  See the attached photo from one of my early carbines. 

 

Thanks to both of you!   I should get that book. Very interesting.  My carbine has Winchester barrel but 1943 Underwood receiver. from what Danimal03 says, if Winchester and Underwood were the ones rewarded, Winchester wouldn't have Underwood receivers.   Do i understand that right?  Good information. I always hear about these parts sharing programs such that a rifle could come out of the factory with parts from several different contractors.  That said, and I hoped at one time to find evidence that mine is in that category, i think mine was post war rebuild with virtually all WW2 parts, i.e., flat bolt stamped SW, operating rod is Winchester, and gas cylinder stamped PI.  

 

As for the markings, thank you!  I think did not describe correctly where the oval and W are on my barrel.  The W is near the top.  The oval is underneath the bayonet lug so you can see it unless remove the handguard and slide lug up.  I think its the WP that you have on your barrel, but i can really only see the oval markings.    as far as i can tell no bursting bomb near the muzzle.  beautiful stamps on your barrel!

hello,

Glad to share the info.  I had never even heard of the book until it showed up in the shop.  Used copies are about $200, hence I just borrowed it and did not ask to buy it for myself.  If you can find the book for under $200, I would recommend snagging it.  Vol II deals with post WWII modifications so I would pass on it.  I think there is a Vol III but I have no idea what is in that.  I am strictly a WWII guy so Vol I is the only one I am interested in.  It is a wealth of information.  It is out of print hence the steep price.

 

I suppose your carbine could either be a post WWII rebuild but it could be a WWII field carbine, i.e. a part was damaged or just simply swapped out during a cleaning session.  But maybe Underwood and Winchester had an 'informal' agreement to help each other out in a pinch.  I could see this.  I have been a DoD contractor over 20 years, and I have seen all sorts of collaboration between contract companies.  It helps to be friendly with the competition. One will likely never know for sure.

 

I knew M1 carbines were massively complicated, but I had no idea the depth of the madness.  Unless you have an early war all matching carbine, you really will never know if your carbine is 'pure'.

 

FYI in the book it stated barrel dates went away I think sometime in 1943.  My Rock-Ola barrel has no date which fits in with the timeframe.  Most other parts appear to be Winchester but I have not taken it apart.  But from what I know it does not really matter since Winchester was assembling carbines with left over parts from other contractors.

 

At first, I regretted my purchase, but now I am okay with it as it could be an 'as issued' carbine.  Will never know for sure but at least it fits the historical records.  Cheers!

thank you again for the info!  I'll look for the book.  I have no regrets.  Fires beautifully.  While I'd love to think this is how it came out of the factory - and that possibility exists as you have shown me - I'm happy to have one that is all WW2 parts even if a post-rebuild - a rebuild that would have occurred in the late 40's and no later than early 50's as I understand it.  Could have seen action in Korea War is possibility.    Thank you again! Valuable information!