M1A1

[Patient957]

Having just discovered the Mosin-Nagants recently it occured to me that I have seen one my whole life, in my grandfather's gun cabinet. It was a T53 capture from Vietnam. I remember the bayonet specifically because as a child as it fascinated me. Well, I asked him about it at dinner last night and he told me "you can have it, I don't want it". I think my heart rate doubled after that.

After dinner we went down to the barn (his guns moved there a decade ago at the demand of my grandmother) and did a search. Unfortunately it appears to have "walked off". This is extremely dissapointing because wherever it ended up I'm sure someone didn't know the real value in what they had.

So.. there was one left, his M1A1 carbine. He said go for it, so I am now the proud holder of my grandfather's service weapon from VIetnam. He told me he carried it for 2 years. I know he was a SF advisor to South Vietnamese units and from what little I've gotten out of him over the years this weapon, and he, saw a lot of action. Needless to say, second to my son, this just became my most treasured posession.

I will post pictures later tonight however I do have some questions I wanted to run by everyone. First, this has the folding stock making it an M1A1 as far as I can tell. It is marked "Winchester" in front of the sights, and the serial # is the the 6 millions. I was able to verify that the serial # is correct and was towards the end of WWII. Now the discrepencies I can find are that Inland was the sole manufacturer of the M1A1. Since it is marked Winchester does this mean that it was probably arsenal rebuilt following WWII ?

Other Items include a bayonet lug on the barrel, a "switch" safety instead of the push button, and it has the improved rear sights instead of the flip up ones. The stock and the folding stock appear origninal to WWII, the leather is dark along with the rivets. This is a beautiful gun in very good condition.

One last thing, he did tell me that this was automatic however I cannot find a selector switch. Hopefully some of you can help me identify some of this when I put up pictures. Stay tuned, more to come !

[desdem12]

Very happy for you to carry on the history of your family and congrats on the m1a1. It is very heartening to have stories like this and to honor our old heroes.

[Homer2]

Great find. One important note. Make sure that it says M1 and not M2 carbine. Winchester did make some M2s. ATF considers all M2s full auto regardless of selector switches. If it is a M2 receiver, I recommend removing the receiver and turning it in or destroying it properly. You can always rebuild your grandfather's rifle with another receiver. No matter what, don't lose that stock. M1A1 stocks are super valuable.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

[Patient957]

Great find. One important note. Make sure that it says M1 and not M2 carbine. Winchester did make some M2s. ATF considers all M2s full auto regardless of selector switches. If it is a M2 receiver, I recommend removing the receiver and turning it in or destroying it properly. You can always rebuild your grandfather's rifle with another receiver. No matter what, don't lose that stock. M1A1 stocks are super valuable.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

I meant to mention that, the reciever is marked "US Carbine, 30 cal. M1".

[Gsragtop]

Since this was pre fully auto ban, I would think it would be ok to keep it full auto.. Or am I wrong??

PS keep looking for the T53' who would take a T53 and leave a M1A1?? Maybe it just got moved.

[vblue42]

As far as I know M1s were never full auto.

[Junk Yard Dog]

As far as I know M1s were never full auto.

The M1 Garand no, not until it became the M14, the M1 carbine however had a part kit that converted any of them to full auto that was introduced late in 1944. This carbine was then called the M2 carbine. The carbine here is 100% semi auto, I have seen the pictures, there is not even so much as a M2 round body bolt in the mix. It's a very nice M1A1 carbine using a Winchester barreled receiver , Inland may have made the original run of carbines in folding stocks, but post war rebuilds would have swapped a lot of parts around.

[Patient957]

I broke her down and cleaned everything thing. Here are some pictures:

[jeremyb]

Sweet

[Celt]

You made MY heart rate double just reading this! Congrats!!
Very cool...

[Junk Yard Dog]

[entropy]

Nice! A lot of the early SF advisors in VN carried and loved the M1A1 Carbine, as well as some the M2 Carbine. This was before the XM177E2 was on the scene, the carbines were excellent in the jungle, and the troops the advisors were with often carried the M1 Carbine, so it made sense logistically and operationally. (Same weapon, didn't draw unwarranted attention in a firefight.) I'd say you got a helluva trade-up, Paitient957!

[Brian the Brit]

[desdem12]

[ffeng31]

The pics evidence the fact that it has been that way for a very long time. I have an M1A1 that is a Late run Inland in an early Paratooper stock. All of these rifles were sent to the arsenal for repairs and upgrades( bayonet lug and rear sights) after WWII. It is my understanding that the paratroopers were done separately and are for the most part Inland. This does not mean that though that an odd bird didn't get into the mix. Who knows, that stock may have been added in theater.. No matter how this Winchester came to be sitting in a Paratrooper stock, it is extremely cool , with a fantastic family story. Congrats.

[shoto2758]

Very nice..

[rice paddy daddy]

Very nice.
Your grandfather really loves you, to present you with a weapon he actually carried long ago and far away, during some tough times in his life.
By treasuring that rifle, you are honoring his service.
Do me a favor, please. The next time you see him, look him in the eye and tell him another veteran said for you to say "Welcome Home".
Thanks.

Big Al
5th Infantry Division, US Army
Vietnam, 1969-1970

[Joeinthehills]

How do you spell "HOME RUN"???

You are very fortunate and think about taking both he and wife out to dinner to a nice restaurant for his thoughtfulness.

Also ask if you can copy his DD214 (Service Records).

Then make a will leaving it to your son...

An Outstanding family hairloom to be passed from generation to generation.

Next time tell him thank you for your service, SIR!

[evildog]

Awesome find!!! And all the history of the rifle to boot..........

[TulaTom]