Can't Identify Marking On Trigger Housing

[Gunslinger]

Lady Luck smiled on me yesterday while I was at a local gun show and graced me with my first M1 Carbine. The receiver, barrel, rear sights, magazine, and magazine catch are all marked as being of Winchester manufacture. There are several other parts that are unmarked and thus may well be Winchester too. The only parts that I've been able to ID as actually not being Winchester are the stock (Inland), the safety flip switch (Inland), the butt plate (Underwood) and the trigger housing. The trigger housing is clearly marked on the underside with a "T" but I can't seem to find that designation in any references that I've used. I've attached a photo of the marking for reference. Does anyone know what the source of the trigger housing might be?

 

The serial number on the receiver is 1079846, suggesting an early Winchester build in late 1942. The barrel is stamped simply "W" but has no date. The barrel band is stamped with a diamond with a "D" in the middle and I've read that this is a WW2 marking rather than a post-WW2 marking. So does that mean that the bayo lug was manufactured during WW2 and was later installed during its rebuild at Rock Island? Or might it have been installed during WW2?

 

I'm absolutely stoked about finding this rifle. The wood and all metal are in excellent condition. 97%+ I'd say. The previous owner had purchased a pair of carbines over 20 years ago. He fired this particular carbine once and then put it away in his safe alongside the other carbine. I can find no import markings on the barrel or receiver, though they may be hidden under the bayo lug. It has an older flat bolt and it has RIA markings on the stock so it was likely re-arsenaled at Rock Island Armory at some point.

 

I haven't had it apart yet so I don' t know what parts are inside. Hopefully it's chock full of Winchester internals

 

Any help on identifying these mystery parts would be appreciated. Would also appreciate any great links or other information that would be useful in learning more about my new rifle. I already know enough to search the CMP website for information and will do so when I get a chance. I'm getting very curious about what I have here....

 

Thanks!

Edited February 17, 2013 by Gunslinger

[n64atlas]

You are going to need to take it apart to see who made the trigger housing. Most are marked on the side. Underwood is marked in the mag well. being a rebuild,

it will have updated trigger parts, Some people were "correcting" carbines, 20 years ago, so you might have some Winchester parts.

More pics?

Edited February 18, 2013 by n64atlas

[Gio]

The barrel on the Winchester didn't have a date after 2-43. The barrel should have Winchester proof mark but is probably covered by barrel band. Don't know about the T under trigger housing thats a new one on me. As n64atlas stated need more pics.

I did a little more research and saw where T was a Winchester marking and your gun could come with a variety of letters or numbers were your T is on trigger housing. I still don't know what it stands for.

 

Frank

Edited February 18, 2013 by Gio

[Gunslinger]

I removed the stock to get a better look at the internals. I didn't disassemble it beyond this point as I'm a bit uncertain of what I'm doing from here. However, I did find a "W" stamped on the inside of the trigger housing so that appears to be a Winchester part. Internally, the only part that I could readily identify was the hammer, which is marked “IK” (Rock-Ola).

 

I'm pretty satisfied at this point. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

 

It’s an early Winchester receiver from late 1942,

The barrel was manufactured by Winchester after 2/43 (Thanks Frank)

It was re-arsenaled and rebuilt at Rock Island Armory at some point

The bayonet lug and upgraded rear sight were most likely added during the rebuild

It has a "low wood" stock

It has many Winchester parts, including:

• Magazine Catch
  
• Magazine
  
• Trigger Housing
  
• Receiver
  
• Barrel
  
• Front Sight
  
• Rear Sight
  
• Barrel Band
  
• Slide
  

It has a few non-Winchester parts, including:

• Stock (Inland)
  
• Safety Switch (Inland)
  
• Hammer (Rock-Ola)
  
• Butt Plate (Underwood)
  

So it’s a mixmaster with Winchester main components and a few other parts thrown in. I could chase Winchester parts and a stock to make it an all Winchester carbine I suppose but I’m not sure whether that’s worth the time or not (any opinions on whether this is worthwhile?). When I decided to hunt for an M1 Carbine, I decided to look for a “Winchester” shooter that’s in great shape and that’s just what I found.

 

 

 

 

Here are a few more pictures of the rifle. Thanks to all who replied.

Edited February 18, 2013 by Gunslinger

[emmagee1917]

I have replaced a few parts on a carbine to make it correct when the parts looked to have been switched in a field upgrade or while cleaning. Anytime the bbl has been changed or a rebuild has been done ( refinish parking , upgraded sights [ with new punch marks ] , type 3 band [ ring on bbl. , compression marks on wood ] , hammer change [ now two impact marks on trigger housing ] , etc. , etc. , I feel that it is not worth it money wise , will not ever make it original again , and destroys that carbine's history . Also , prob'ly 90%+ of the parts or marks for sale are fakes just rules it out. Enjoy it for what it is , it will prob'ly shoot better with the upgrades installed .

My .02.

Chris

[n64atlas]

I noticed it has a spring tube receiver. Nice