A1 stock legitimate?

[tenOC]

That's good. S? Always wondered if the earlier castings were clearer and they got less crisp as the casts were used? Maybe it was how they were handled/conditions during casting? Or it could be that certain positions were just clearer?

That one is position 11.



And then here's some pics of 4 castings I've handled personally.
Positions: 4, 8, 10, 10 again, 12.
Save these to your computer, because they might be gone when the tiny pic address expires.
Position 4 is a CMP auction.

[tenOC]

Originally Posted by Rob W.

Hi guys,
That's my stock,

I've bought two Carbine from Rob in the past and both were as he described.

[ChadC]

Thanks for all the replies! Happy New Year!

[m1a1fan]

Those are some sweet looking butt plates ten. Love the CMP one and the last one which is almost completely illegible.

Some reference pics for the OP. Positions 4, 6, 8 and 12. The 4 is almost impossible to read unless the light is just right.

Pistol Grip (Bottom)-OI and Crossed Cannons Cartouche Marking


Pistol Grip (Bottom)-RI/3 Marking


Pistol Grip (Bottom)-Crossed Cannons Cartouche Marking


Pistol Grip (Front)-P marking


Stock
Back-Circled P marking


Butt Plates




Wire Stock/Cheek Piece


Happy New Year everyone!

[ChadC]

All great reference pictures. That's what sets the CMP forum folks apart from the rest....willing to help out with tons of great information.

[tenOC]

I actually own that position 12 that's almost illegible. It's just the butt plate, spring, wire and cheek metal. No upper/lower metal hinge/recoil and no wood. Paid too much for it, and the lower wire has a repair. DISCLAIMER FOR FUTURE READERS: NOT FOR SALE. I know how people like affordable projects, but no. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

[car wash chris]

This has been a great thread, Ive tried to save everything shared. Thanks

We need a M1A1 refrence Stickey. Hint Hint

[tenOC]

Was hoping for the same.

[ChadC]

This would be good.

[m1a1fan]

Here here, M1A1 sticky fifthed!

@ten, darn, that was my next question.

Talked to my dad who has some hands on experience with sand cast molding. Hopefully, I get his response correct. Here goes. His guess is one giant butt plate mold was made with each of the 12 positions. Sand molds have binders which over time will wear at different rates and in different places resulting in the petina we all know and love so well. The million dollar question is could each of the 12 positions be removed and replaced individually? If the moldings could be changed individually, one would expect a sequence of great casting, some kind of degradation and then great castings again. No idea how many pours it would take before a sand cast mold would become unusable.

I've watched a few TV shows showing the process of sand cast molding bells and it is a very labor intensive process. 140,000 / 12 = 11K+ for each position. I thought I read somewhere that there were twice the replacement parts for M1A1's, but I don't remember if that included butt plates. I also thought there were 2 butt plates. The one we know and another which was an arsenal replacement. I have one somewhere, but will have to search for it to post the marking.