Sailormilan2

Are there/is there any one manufacturor of Carbine mags that is considered more "collectable" than others???

ChairborneRanger

Sure. For example, you'll find that something like Tube Products for Rock (TR) or Inland (I), any IP or S'G' mag, etc., is much rarer than something like a 'straight' IS marked, generic, International Silver or a U marked Union Hardware.

Sailormilan2

Would there be anywhere to find the list of actual manufacturors?? Ruth's book is no help, and Riesch's just say what codes go to what Carbine producer.

rfa0

This site has some info:

http://www.rawles.to/M1_Carbine_Mag_FAQ.html

ChairborneRanger

War Baby Comes Home----also called War Baby 2----has a list of manufacturers.

The list by Rawles is okay---but has a number of errors----for example, there was no Cowles Co. that made mags-----the C represents another marking for J. L. Clark Co.

If there are some specific markings that you need info on, post the markings and we can likely tell you who made them, etc.

svartorm

Are there many different kinds of M-1 Carbine mags, as far as funtion is concerned? The gun I have on the way takes USGI mags, but I'm not sure how many different kinds there are, or how difficult they are to find.

Audie

Originals are 15 rounders or 30 rounders (hard to find the latter)...all others are modern mags.

DeadNuts

Found this on the web.
Take with however many grains of salt you wish.

The Lowdown on M1 Carbine Magazines
by James Wesley, Rawles


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Revised and Updated, February, 1998

In response to numerous requests for clarification on the types and makers of M1 Carbine magazines during and after World War II, here is a brief but as yet incomplete listing of maker's stamps (Usually found on the rear of the magazine, roughly one-half inch to one inch up from the floorplate):

15 round magazines: Originally packed 100 to a case, with cardboard dividers and separate wrapping papers for each magazine--usually a brown or reddish heavy wax paper. These sold for around $1.00 to $1.75 retail (new in wrapper) before the U.S. (September, 1994) magazine ban, and even less by the case. They now sell for $4.50 to $7.00 each. (Yikes! That's why I stopped stocking them.):

Inland Division of General Motors AI A1 IA II UI KI II [circled]

Saginaw Steering Divison of G.M. KSG S'G' OI-S'G' G- S'G' SP-S'G'

--and some more Saginaw codes... U-S'G' O-SG K-S'G'

IBM SY-B OI-B OI B

International Silver IS

Irwin Pedersen K-IP I-P-K IP-I C-IP

National Postal Meter UN MN

Quality Hardware UQ QU G-Q

Rock-Ola IR R-C RO RC R-G UR

Seymour Smith SS SS-4 R-SS

Standard Products SO

Underwood IU LU UU IU [circled]

Union Hardware U

Wade Electric Products WEP [in curved type]

Winchester BW IW UW IW [circled]

And some as yet unidentified maker's marks... (Please send me an e-mail if you know who made these):

C

UP

SI [circled] (Could this be another code for International Silver???)

B [circled] (I've seen some cases that were marked Winchester, but packed with these magazines-- could they be a subcontract from Bridgeport?)

O-S [in curved type]

RUOG

30 round magazines: There were two basic types made under military contracts.

Hard Back: The first (early) type is commonly called a "hard-back". The body for this type was made out of one piece of sheet steel. It can be identified by the reinforcing grooves that run nearly the full length of the sides of the magazine, following the curve of the magazine for the entire length. These magazines are currently selling for $40 to $90 each, depending on condition.

Split Back: The second (later) type is commonly called a "split-back" or "two-piece." The body for this type was made out of two pieces of sheet steel. It can be identified by two reinforcing grooves that run at odd angles in the bottom half of the magazine. It is also quickly identified by the two small slots or "splits" on the rear of the magazine, right where it bends. Original split-back magazines are currently selling for $25 to $50 each, depending on condition. By the way, some of these were unmarked, but are still original. (To the best of my knowledge, no copies were made of hard-backs, only split-backs.)

Inland Division of General Motors KI KI M2 (stacked marking) A.I. AI M2 (stacked marking)

Seymour Products SEY

Unidentified AYP

Unidentified J

Unidentified K

Unidentified M2

(Again, please do a posting and/or send me an e-mail if you know who made the 30 rounders listed as "Unidentified", or if you have examples with other markings...)
Special note: Beware of aftermarket copies of the split-back 30 round magazine. Nearly all of these are junk, and not worth buying. In general, unless you want to buy grief, only buy original U.S. G.I. contract 30 round magazines, and if you can't find them, stick to 15 rounders! (Which are nearly all original.) Caveat Emptor!!!! Nearly 90 percent of the "split-back" magazines on the market are after-market copies. Most are marked "M2" in an odd, wide, and very deeply stamped type face (type font), rather than a narrow font with a shallow marking like the original U.S. G.I. item. The copies also usually have a dull blue finish, whereas the originals have a bright blue finish. Don't be fooled. These are NOT originals!

A tip of the hat to Bud Evers (M1 Carbine guru extraordinaire) who helped me assemble this list. BTW, if you need to contact Bud, his voice phone number is (707) 252-3226. (Sorry, he has no e-mail address.)

I hope you find this info useful...

James Wesley, Rawles

Clearwater Trading Co.
c/o P.O. Box 642
Penn Valley, Calif. [95946]
voice: (916)639-1999
e-mail: rawles@usa.net

jimb16

That list is far from complete. For instance; there is supposed to be an IN which I have never seen. There is an OI-Q which I have in my collection. And there are several others that I'm aware of. Keep your eyes open. You may even find some that we don't have listings for.

MotherGreeN

just got a hold of a 15 rnd magazine marked C - B with what looks like a smaller than the C B font but an upside down capitol T running vertically thru the top half of the C what the heck is this a repro?

jimb16

Nope, that is JL Clark for IBM. The J and L are back to back and "dangle" into the C.

MotherGreeN

attatched is a pic i made in ms paint of what it looks like

Attached Images

MAGMARKING.JPG (1.3 KB, 1217 views)

jimb16

Yup! Close enough....that's J.L. Clark for IBM

MotherGreeN

alright then cool just checkin point of interest and all got it with my new er uh old plainfield the other day

Bill Ricca

The 30 round J and J magazines have been identified as B Jahn Manufacturing from 1966-67. Jim has been notified, I guess he has not yet updated his site. I will notify him again.

His list fails to mention KI M2, A1 M2 and J

M2 is Tony Scherer's magazine, a repro which has been made since the early 1970's.

I have memory of a KVS. It was published in the 30 round article for the carbine club. I don't remember it now, I will have to dig out the article.

I am sure the 15 round RUOG is a poorly struck RUGG


I remember a more complete list.

Moose

Need help to ID blued 15 round mag stamped SL , idented
bottom , black plastic follower . Is this USGI ?
With Respect - Moose

TommyGunn

I don't believe military mags ever had plastic followers.

ChairborneRanger

Sometimes the black metal follower can be stamped so nicely and smoothly-----that it almost looks lie a plastic piece. That said, SL is M. S. Little Company for Standard Products----and was a USGI "contract" magazine.

Moose

Damn CairborneRanger ! You called that one
With Respect - Moose