How to Tell a Real M1 Carbine Para Trooper Stock??

**K. Funk** · July 22, 2012, 10:17

I recently acquired an older Iver Johnson M1 Carbine with a folding paratrooper stock. The stock looks very authentic, and if it is not, someone went through a lot of trouble to make one look very real. Is there a tell-tale way to determine authenticity?

Thanks,

krf

mpnv · July 22, 2012, 10:50

Does it have any cartouches? I don't beleive Iver Johnson made any carbines during the war. Unless the stock is an add on it would not be authentic.

tac-40 · July 22, 2012, 11:49

Take a look at this thread in Parallax Bill's Forum. Think your answer is in post #2 on.

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearm...lp-needed-ASAP

NHBandit · July 22, 2012, 14:12

Ken that's an easy one. Iver Johnson NEVER made carbines for the military. IIRC some of the early ones used some GI surplus parts but unless the reciever is marked behind the rear sight with one of the known makers it is not a GI issue carbine. Also none of the GI makers made carbines for the civilian market and none were made after the end of WWII. IIRC there were 11 different GI carbine makers and only Winchester was an actual firearms company. http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/manufacturers.html Well hell & damn me for not paying attention.. You are asking about the stock, correct ? I know that only Inland made them and there are some VERY good fakes out there right down to the correct markings. Pics ? It looks like tac-40 has you covered with the link he posted.

**K. Funk** · July 22, 2012, 14:32

I was not concerned about the Iver Johnson part, I knew that it was a post war commercial copy. However, the stock looks to be pretty darn close to authentic. I was hoping maybe someone had dropped the I-J action into a real stock, which would have made my day. However, as stated, post #2 gives me the answers I need. It appears to be a commercial reproduction. I still got it for a very reasoneable amount and will make money on it either way.

Thanks all,

krf

Brian in MN · July 22, 2012, 17:30

krf, before you sell do some looking around for repro M1A1 stocks. Prly your best bet is to find a cheap GI standard butt for the Iver Johnson and sell the repro para alone. I have not looked into them in many years but if it is in decent shape you have to be well over $100 on the stock alone. It might be a lot better than that, too.

**Seaweed** · July 22, 2012, 17:34

I have both an original paratrooper stock and what I believe to be a replacement stock. The only differences I can see are the absence of cartouches on the replacement. Same quality wood, same wear pattern, same down to the last detail. Just no markings.

Brian in MN · July 22, 2012, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaweed

I have both an original paratrooper stock and what I believe to be a replacement stock. The only differences I can see are the absence of cartouches on the replacement. Same quality wood, same wear pattern, same down to the last detail. Just no markings.

There should be lettering on the inside of the buttplate. Are they the same, both indented or both raised?

Retired Bum · July 22, 2012, 17:46

During the postwar years a lot of US military weapons were supplied to Western European nations. Italy received M1 Carbines and an Italian firm produced a copycat of the M1A1 folding "paratrooper" stock. These stocks were fitted to carbines in use by the Italian Army. The Italian folding stock does not have the assembly number that would be found on a genuine US made wartime folding stock. I have seen several of these Italian stocks and they do look just like the US version except for the missing assembly number.

Years ago I purchased an Inland .30 M1 Carbine that had one of the Italian folding stocks on it. I got the carbine for only $350 OTD. A genuine Inland made M1A1 carbine would have been priced at least double that amount. Today I see standard wooden stocked M1 Carbines in fairly decent shape going for $800 and up. I imagine that a genuine M1A1 correct in every way would easily be in the four figure range.

And so it goes.

The Retired One

**K. Funk** · July 22, 2012, 22:11

Thed butt plate has no numbers, just an "M" (or a "W"). The stock has no circle "P" or IO marks.

Thanks again,

krf

garandguy10 · July 22, 2012, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by K. Funk

Thed butt plate has no numbers, just an "M" (or a "W"). The stock has no circle "P" or IO marks.

Thanks again,

krf

Repro stock, not USGI

July 22, 2012, 10:17	#1
K. Funk Real Life Metallurgist Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 38 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Myerstown, PA Posts: 3,939	How to Tell a Real M1 Carbine Para Trooper Stock?? I recently acquired an older Iver Johnson M1 Carbine with a folding paratrooper stock. The stock looks very authentic, and if it is not, someone went through a lot of trouble to make one look very real. Is there a tell-tale way to determine authenticity? Thanks, krf __________________ The Mason-Dixon FAL Association wants YOU!! Ask me for details. You never know what's going on inside the mind of a crazy man!! Check out username kandainv on Gunbroker; always some neat stuff!! FYB!!!!

July 22, 2012, 11:49	#3
tac-40 Moderator Armed Curmudgeon FALaholic #: 12090 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SC-Low Country Posts: 4,522	Take a look at this thread in Parallax Bill's Forum. Think your answer is in post #2 on. http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearm...lp-needed-ASAP __________________ Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ______________________________ If you do in fact have a problem, you have the rest of your life to solve it. How long your life lasts only depends on how well you solve it.

July 22, 2012, 14:12	#4
NHBandit Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 7986 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 3,933	Ken that's an easy one. Iver Johnson NEVER made carbines for the military. IIRC some of the early ones used some GI surplus parts but unless the reciever is marked behind the rear sight with one of the known makers it is not a GI issue carbine. Also none of the GI makers made carbines for the civilian market and none were made after the end of WWII. IIRC there were 11 different GI carbine makers and only Winchester was an actual firearms company. http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/manufacturers.html Well hell & damn me for not paying attention.. You are asking about the stock, correct ? I know that only Inland made them and there are some VERY good fakes out there right down to the correct markings. Pics ? It looks like tac-40 has you covered with the link he posted. __________________ Live Free or Die Last edited by NHBandit; July 22, 2012 at 14:24.

July 22, 2012, 14:32	#5
K. Funk Real Life Metallurgist Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 38 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Myerstown, PA Posts: 3,939	I was not concerned about the Iver Johnson part, I knew that it was a post war commercial copy. However, the stock looks to be pretty darn close to authentic. I was hoping maybe someone had dropped the I-J action into a real stock, which would have made my day. However, as stated, post #2 gives me the answers I need. It appears to be a commercial reproduction. I still got it for a very reasoneable amount and will make money on it either way. Thanks all, krf __________________ The Mason-Dixon FAL Association wants YOU!! Ask me for details. You never know what's going on inside the mind of a crazy man!! Check out username kandainv on Gunbroker; always some neat stuff!! FYB!!!!

July 22, 2012, 17:30	#6
Brian in MN Registered FALaholic #: 289 Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 4,927	krf, before you sell do some looking around for repro M1A1 stocks. Prly your best bet is to find a cheap GI standard butt for the Iver Johnson and sell the repro para alone. I have not looked into them in many years but if it is in decent shape you have to be well over $100 on the stock alone. It might be a lot better than that, too. __________________ Kalashnikov: The most successful point and click interface in the world.

July 22, 2012, 10:50	#2
mpnv Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 64169 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Delaware Posts: 660	Does it have any cartouches? I don't beleive Iver Johnson made any carbines during the war. Unless the stock is an add on it would not be authentic.

July 22, 2012, 17:34	#7
Seaweed Veteran Member Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 2736 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Newport, OR Posts: 1,280	I have both an original paratrooper stock and what I believe to be a replacement stock. The only differences I can see are the absence of cartouches on the replacement. Same quality wood, same wear pattern, same down to the last detail. Just no markings.

July 22, 2012, 17:46	#9
Retired Bum Registered FALaholic #: 21904 Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,183	During the postwar years a lot of US military weapons were supplied to Western European nations. Italy received M1 Carbines and an Italian firm produced a copycat of the M1A1 folding "paratrooper" stock. These stocks were fitted to carbines in use by the Italian Army. The Italian folding stock does not have the assembly number that would be found on a genuine US made wartime folding stock. I have seen several of these Italian stocks and they do look just like the US version except for the missing assembly number. Years ago I purchased an Inland .30 M1 Carbine that had one of the Italian folding stocks on it. I got the carbine for only $350 OTD. A genuine Inland made M1A1 carbine would have been priced at least double that amount. Today I see standard wooden stocked M1 Carbines in fairly decent shape going for $800 and up. I imagine that a genuine M1A1 correct in every way would easily be in the four figure range. And so it goes. The Retired One

July 22, 2012, 22:11	#10
K. Funk Real Life Metallurgist Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 38 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Myerstown, PA Posts: 3,939	Thed butt plate has no numbers, just an "M" (or a "W"). The stock has no circle "P" or IO marks. Thanks again, krf __________________ The Mason-Dixon FAL Association wants YOU!! Ask me for details. You never know what's going on inside the mind of a crazy man!! Check out username kandainv on Gunbroker; always some neat stuff!! FYB!!!!

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