Conductor
08-24-2014, 05:50
Regarding GB number 434498319:
I'm not so sure that this Winchester is correct at all. First of all, it's a rebuilt gun, with the fully-adjustable rear sight and bayonet lug.
My understanding of the rebuilding process is that the guns were stripped down to the barreled receiver, and all the minor parts were tossed into bins for later inspection and refinishing. The barreled receivers were inspected, barrels gauged and replaced if necessary, and the stocks were refinished or scrapped. The early-style rear sights were removed and replaced with the full-adjustable type, and the barrel bands were replaced with the type 3 bands that had a built-in bayonet lug.
When the process was complete, the guns were re-assembled, using the first parts that came to hand, with no attention being paid to which contractor made the parts. The resulting "mixmasters" were then returned to the arsenals and reissued as needed. These mixmasters were used in combat in Korea and in every other conflict that the US was involved in during the 1950s and early 1960s, until the adoption of the M16 ( and even later in some circumstances).
So how is it that this rebuilt carbine is a "correct" Winchester? To me the answer is clear: Someone is trying to pull a fast one on unsuspecting newbies who don't know the history of the US Carbine, Caliber 30 M1.
I have heard a lot of talk among guys who consider themselves "collectors" of USGI carbines, who want to buy only "all correct" or "all matching" GI carbines, and then turn around and pay exorbitant prices for rebuilt guns that have the "correct" parts installed. It would seem to me that the only "correct" all matching carbine would be one that has never been rebuilt, still has the flip sight and no bayonet lug.
Comments?
I'm not so sure that this Winchester is correct at all. First of all, it's a rebuilt gun, with the fully-adjustable rear sight and bayonet lug.
My understanding of the rebuilding process is that the guns were stripped down to the barreled receiver, and all the minor parts were tossed into bins for later inspection and refinishing. The barreled receivers were inspected, barrels gauged and replaced if necessary, and the stocks were refinished or scrapped. The early-style rear sights were removed and replaced with the full-adjustable type, and the barrel bands were replaced with the type 3 bands that had a built-in bayonet lug.
When the process was complete, the guns were re-assembled, using the first parts that came to hand, with no attention being paid to which contractor made the parts. The resulting "mixmasters" were then returned to the arsenals and reissued as needed. These mixmasters were used in combat in Korea and in every other conflict that the US was involved in during the 1950s and early 1960s, until the adoption of the M16 ( and even later in some circumstances).
So how is it that this rebuilt carbine is a "correct" Winchester? To me the answer is clear: Someone is trying to pull a fast one on unsuspecting newbies who don't know the history of the US Carbine, Caliber 30 M1.
I have heard a lot of talk among guys who consider themselves "collectors" of USGI carbines, who want to buy only "all correct" or "all matching" GI carbines, and then turn around and pay exorbitant prices for rebuilt guns that have the "correct" parts installed. It would seem to me that the only "correct" all matching carbine would be one that has never been rebuilt, still has the flip sight and no bayonet lug.
Comments?