Robertson Trading Post – U.S. Military Firearms Page

Winter 2008-2009

US Military Firearms, 1865 - 2000

Thanks for looking over our inventory, and for those among our shoppers who have done business with us in the past. We use NRA grading terminology and percentages of the original finish remaining on the firearm in our descriptions. While firearm grading is subjective like coin grading, we have tried to give ample closeup photos of the firearms and tried to describe any detracting features of each firearm in such a way as seller and buyer can be as clear as possible on the merchandise’s condition. We include specific citations to Fjiestad’s Blue Book of Gun Values, published annually by Krause Publications.

Most of our firearms are listed on

Guns America         with a few on           Auction Arms

and a few more on Gun Broker. Our most comprehensive listings, and most of our new arrivals, are on Guns America. You don't have to join to view our listings, but it's easy to enroll.

 

Lots of folk are frantically paying inflated prices for AR-15 type rifles. We have seen this animal before, price spikes. We saw it in 1981, 1989, and 1993. In 1989, HBAR Colts were selling for $1300 - $1400, and Ruger Mini-14s for $800 - $850, similar to what has been going on lately. But the hype cooled down, and prices cooled down. By 1992, HBARs were back down to $600 - $650, and Mini 14s back down to the mid - $300. Why not choose a sounder investment, a US .30 M-1 Carbine? All they have done is steadily appreciate since 1992. There will be no more WWII firearms, of course; and these have other value than just hype. Besides, the ones we have now are Very Good, even on toward Excellent, so far as their metal and mechanics. There is plenty of ammunition, and magazines are plentiful.

 

 

LG0884

Military Postal Meter .30 M-1 Carbine Rock-Ola Bbl VG

 

 

      Since we only have a copy of Canfield’s Book from the 1980s, dating is not at all precise on most Carbine specimens we run across. This one is National Postal Meter and correctly numbered, serial number 42304xx, with a correct, corresponding cartouche of the same number on the buttstock. Barrel is Rock-Ola, appropriate for variants made in 1944 and 1945. Buttstock has a JLB cartouche marking inside the sling slot area. Forend band is labeled AMCO on its left side. The rear sight is not original but appears military production, as does the rotary safety, none of which were installed on production Postal Meter carbines. Forend handguard wood is considerably darker than the stock itself. Stock has light to moderate pecking, scuffing and scouring that affect about 30 percent of the wood surface, and the buttstock appears to have been refinished, or at least spot-sanded, at some point. Perhaps the most regrettable but least avoidable detraction is the Century Arms, Georgia, VT stamping underneath the barrel, inconspicuous though it is. Those points aside – neither of which are unusual for a DCM marketed rifle – this Carbine has much to commend it. The serial number cartouche on the buttstock is a plus, on our view. Wood has no visible cracks with any separation showing. While the steel buttplate has a ding at 1 o’clock, it appears authentic military and has generous military finish remaining. Lower receiver and trigger group housing hold as good finish as external parts, and we detect no pitting underneath, as the photos show. Even though the barrel has a weak greenish finish, it holds to a true military coloration. The bore, chamber, and mechanism are all excellent. This is a very respectable, all-military Postal Meter Carbine. We’re offering it                  for only $ 769.95

  

LG0885

Military Postal Meter .30 M-1 Carbine IBM Bbl VG

 

      Since we only have a copy of Canfield’s Book from the 1980s, dating is not at all precise on most Carbine specimens we run across. This one is National Postal Meter and correctly numbered, serial number 43726xx, with a correct, corresponding cartouche of the same number on the buttstock. Barrel is IBM, appropriate for variants made in 1944 and 1945. Forend band is labeled AI on its right side. The rear sight is not original but appears military production; and it is labeled I.R. Co. on its right side. Trigger group has the rotary safety, none of which were installed on production Postal Meter carbines. Forend Handguard and buttstock are similar dark walnut, with light to moderate pecks and scours that affect about 30 percent of the wood surface. Upper edge of upper receiver has a strip of crusty brown, but no conspicuous pitting. There is a similar spot on the barrel’s underside where it contacts the forend area of the stock. Front sight is rough milled, with what appears to be some sand-y smoothing. The barrel exterior surface is ribbed milled thoughout with mostly gray finish. Upper areas of receiver and operating handle have strong brown coloration, as the photos show. Perhaps the most regrettable but least avoidable detraction is the Century Arms, Georgia, VT stamping underneath the barrel, inconspicuous though it is. Those points aside – neither of which are unusual for a DCM marketed rifle – this Carbine has much to commend it. The serial number cartouche on the buttstock is a plus, on our view. Wood has no visible cracks with any separation showing. The steel buttplate appears authentic military and has a mostly brown surface coloration with considerable military finish remaining. Lower receiver and trigger group housing hold as good finish as external parts, and we detect no pitting underneath, as the photos show. Even though the barrel external has a weak gun metal gray finish, it holds to a true military coloration. The bore, chamber, and mechanism are all excellent. This is a very respectable, all-military Postal Meter Carbine. We’re offering it                      for only $ 729.95

  

LG0732

Military: U.S. Inland .30 M-1 Carbine ca. 1942 GI Parts Arlington Mechanical Issues

            One of a good many Arlington Ordnance re-imports from the late Reagan years, this Inland Division / General Motors Rifle is authentic enough, and in decent condition finishwise; it has, however, mechanical problems because it will not feed the second round. It likely needs another barrel if anyone wants it to be a shooter. While the receiver exhibits considerable external pitting in areas, including the brand and serial number, the number is clear enough, 600,000 range, part of GM’s Inland Division production from 1942 or 1943. All the upper parts appear to be GI, although the trigger and hammer assembly may be later or even aftermarket. This Carbine, of course, is part of the 1980s era find imported by Arlington Ordnance and is so marked, inconspicuously, on the underside forward area of the barrel. Barrel is not marked other than the reimporter stamp. Front sight bears the letters SI B on its upper plane. Bayonet lug / forend retainer has the encircled A armorer’s stamp. Initials H. I. appear on the lateral hammer slot area, and an encircled R is inside the trigger assembly. Trigger / hammer assembly, likely aftermarket, is in Excellent Condition. Rear Sight assembly, also not likely GI, is Very Good with moderate stress to the windage screw slot. Bolt has about 70 percent bluing and appears excellent. Barrel and front sight surfaces are a mixture of brown, and gray-green parkerized. Operating handle assembly is well fiished, but note the pitting around the end of the spring guide. Receiver has about 30 percent light to moderate pitting. Stock and forend are Good to Very Good, old arsenal refinish. The forend cover has one hairline crack near one of the recess holes, and there is an internal-origin punch crack visible on the right side of the stock adjacent to the action. We have closeup photos showing of both these detractions.

            Bore is Good; smooth, strong rifling in its midsection and forward area with light to moderate pitting affecting 15 to 20 percent of the bore, confined to the area forward of the chamber. Chamber does not appear pitted. Mechanism will not feed the second round. We considered opening the gas port, but no; if someone wants a shooter, he will likely need to replace the barrel on account of gas port problems. Not pictured but included will be a standard steel 15-shot magazine. This is a solid gun, mostly GI, and has historical significance both from its age and from being among the final relics allowed to re-enter the United States under the Reagan Administration. Own it            for only $ 550.00.

  

LG0748

1903 Remington .30-06 Exc Nickel Steel 1942

Among the first military rifles produced as the United States geared into production after Pearl Harbor, this 1903 U.S. Remington has a nickel steel receiver, and its barrel is dated July 1942. Serial number is 13999xx, and the bolt and bolt handle are correctly stamped with R, Remington, markings. The stock has, on its left side, the letter C next to a stylized scripted FC cartouche; and the marking 2D is immediately below that, as the photos show. Underside of pistol grip area directly behind the trigger guard has the Marking 40 / A / stylized scripted P inspector marks. Barrel is dated 2 / 42, Springfield Armory. This is an exceptionally nice 1903, and we believe it is in its issue configuration. Detractions to the stock are minimal, only a dozen or so light to moderate scuffs and pecks. Metal is a strong Very Good, perhaps even Excellent. Note the pristine condition of the trigger guard and magazine floorplate. Surface scuffing is moderate on the muzzle area of the barrel, and negligible to the receiver. Bolt has only about 10 percent white contact wear showing. Our amber halogen lights exaggerate  We believe this rifle will grade a strong Very Good, 85 percent, to Excellent, 90 percent; but we have included sufficient photography for interested parties to judge finish grade for themselves. Own it      for only             $1585.00

 

LG0894

Military US Winchester .30 M-1 Carbine G-VG Late WWII

            Serial number on this Winchester .30 M-1 Carbine is well within the latest batch of number assigned to Winchester Olin during World War II, 57920xx. We estimate that it was manufactured in 1944. Stock cartouches match the serial number. The stock has been expertly refinished with Tru-Oil, and we detect no cracks anywhere. Steel buttplate appears original, and bayonet lug hardware, including the band, also appear original. Note that there is some stress evidence to the forend band / bayonet lug screw. Stock is nice, solid American Walnut and exhibits some burl pattern that is very attractive.

            Markings to the metal include the stylized Winchester logo above the serial number under the rear sight, and the characteristic W letter on the barrel. Metal finish dappears to be original, Very Good throughout; and the finish is blue and commensurate with Canfield’s notes on the Winchester Du-Lite finish. Trigger group is a very nice heat-treated purplish hue. Bolt surfaces show only moderate wear from use. There is no external pitting on the exposed or hidden metal surfaces of this Winchester Carbine, as the photos will demonstrate. Bore and chamber are Very Good if not Excellent on this specimen, with no pitting at all. There is some contact wear at places on the barrel, sights, and trigger guard, but no pitting. Similarly, there is some spottiness to the surfaces, notably the forend retainer / bayonet lug assembly, but no external pitting. The chief detraction is the inconspicuous but unavoidable Century Arms import stamp on the under side of the barrel. This is a very nice carbine metal-wise. The Walnut stock will refinish well to a military spec type finish, and the metal does not need to be retouched at all. We’re offering this solid, well-preserved Winchester .30 M-1 Carbine              for only $ 819.95

 

LG0616

1903-A3 Remington .30-06 VG-Exc Mfg. 1943

The main detractions to this World War II veteran consist of handling and use evidence to the stock. There is one short hairline crack, no more than ½ inch, top tang right hand side, and a similar one behind the trigger guard, left hand side, as the closeup photos show. Other than that, there are light to moderate occasional pecks and dings here and there. Note the nice burly pattern visible in the walnut on rear right side of buttstock. Cartouches are visible but dim, FJA on left side bolt area, encircled P behind trigger guard, 82 triangle, perhaps 82^nd Airborne, forward of floorplate underneath, and 3 more in that area that we cannot While we rate the stock as only Very Good, the remainder of the rifle, its metal finish, ranges into the Excellent category. Barrel alignment is correct at the hash marks; rear section of barrel surface has P, J, X, and a partial iron cross proof marks on it around the chamber area. Barrel marking is R.A. 9-43 marked, September 1943, so we believe the barrel is entirely original. Bolt is marked R, Remington manufacture, on its rear cowling and on the bolt handle itself. As the photos show, the bolt has about 80 percent of its original finish remaining. Bore and chamber are Excellent, with no pitting or abrasions visible. Trigger guard / floorplate assembly is unmarked and stamped-out manufacture, but fits well. Stress to screws are moderate at worst. We’re offering this very nice 1903A3 Remington  for only             $ 1039.95       

 

LG0895

Military US .30 M-1 Carbine Inland GM Nov 1944 VG

            Here is a very nice specimen of General Motors’s Inland Division plant from November of 1944, so marked and so dated. While the stock and handguard have been refinished with a semi-gloss arsenal shellac, the metal is very nice indeed. Ignoring the refinishing to the stock, this rifle would greade around 80 percent by our estimate. Steel buttplate is intact, and we detect no cracks anywhere on the stock or handguard. L E A D cartouches remain near the sling slot on the left side fo the buttstock area. Metal surfaces on the receiver show strong original finishing, and that part of the rifle approaches excellent status. There is very little contact wear, mainly on the sharp edges of the operating handle and high points of the adjustable rear sight. Serial number is 74478xx. Trigger guard has a subdued purplish hue to its finish, with moderate contact wear on its sharp edges. Forward area of the metal shows similar sharp-edge wear, and some white showing on the edges of the front sight and muzzle. Finish is strong and intact on the undersides of the receiver, trigger group, and operating assembly as the photos show. Bore and chamber are clean, and there is only evidence of very light pitting inside the bore. The chief detraction, of course, is the inconspicuous but necessary Century Arms import marking on the under side of the barrel. This is a very nice specimen metal-wise of the GM Inland .30 Carbine from World War II. We’re offering it  for only $ 769.95

 

LG0916

Military US 1898 Krag 1950s DCM Sporter VG-Exc

(More Photos Coming Soon)

            Here is a very nice specimen, metal-wise, of the 1898 Krag-Jorgensen US Military Rifle that the Department of Civilian Marksmanship liquidated in the early half of the 20^th Century. The rifle appears to have been stored for a long time, note the toned appearance of the extractor bar and cocking knob. Muzzle area of the barrel has finish weakness and cold blue residue where the front sight was changed. Barrel length is 25 inches. Exterior metal surfaces have about 10 percent light external pitting, concentrated in a few spots. One area is scattered, near the receiver ring; another spot is above the chamber on top of the barrel; another is forward of the forend rings; another spot is about 4 inches behind the muzzle on the right side of the barrel. Magazine sides have light blurry toning but no pitting that we can detect. Bore is good to Very Good, with no conspicuous pitting anywhere. Stock is an excellent Bishop Walnut Monte Carlo, probably from the 1960s. The buttplate spacer is flush, and the cap spacer is somewhat flattened and the pistol grip cap slightly drawn and undersize from the pistol grip. Note that there are unsmoothed mill marks forward of the cheeckpiece, but these are not conspicuous. Black forend tip fits well, and the yellowish aging to the liners all enhance the appearance of this customized DCM Sporter. The stock has no significant scratches or abrasions. This is a very nice, very respectable testament to the longevity and usefulness of US Military Rifles in civilian hands as sporters before premium interest began as the 20^th Century drew to a close. We’re offering it         for only           $ 529.95

 

LG0896

Military US .30 M-1 Carbine Inland GM Nov 1942 VG

            Here is a very nice specimen of General Motors’s Inland Division plant from November of 1942, so marked and so dated. American Walnut buttstock has been expertly refinished with Tru-Oil, and we detect no cracks anywhere. Note the matching number cartouche across the left comb of the buttstock, and a possible later cartouche near the sling slot. Metal is very nice throughout. Edges of receiver show white streaking, especially the end of the operating handle and its slot track on the side of the receiver. Trigger guard edges and bottom show white as well. There is some weakening to the forward barrel external surface and sight edges; the point, however, as the photos show, is that there is abundant strength to this carbine’s original finish. Instead of having pitting underneath the wood like so many of its surviving peers, this one’s metal is full strength finish underneath, very nice throughout. Bore and chamber are Very Good if not Excellent, and no pitting whatsoever is visible anywhere on any of the metal surfaces of this Carbine, inside or outside. The chief detraction, of course, is the inconspicuous but necessary Century Arms import marking on the under side of the barrel. This is a very nice specimen metal-wise of the GM Inland .30 Carbine from World War II. We’re offering it          for only $ 769.95

 

LG0897

Military IBM .30 M-1 Carbine VG Blem

            Here is an all-matching I.B.M. Carbine with one surface blemish. Here in West Tennessee, we support banning Buffalo Brand Chinese Grinding wheels and Dremel tools. That is what happened on the tang piece on this rifle, note the marks there and the KARI or KART initials on the small tang piece that anchors the action into the buttstock at the rear. The second, sadly necessary detraction, of course, is the Century Arms import stamping placed very inconspicuously on the bottom of the barrel surface. That said, notice too the very nice, above average condition of both metal and stock on this I.B.M. Carbine.

            Serial number is 3870188, made not too long after IBM production began at 3,650,000 range. Even though this Carbine is not dated, we estimate it was manufactured in 1943. Canfield’s 1988 book, all we have, does not give dates and serialization, sadly. Barrel is I.B.M. and so marked. Metal has much of its original parkerized finish, with some weakness on the barrel due to its original horizontal lathe marking. Most contact wear to the finish is on the sharp edges of the metal surfaces, as the photos show. The metal has been kept lubricated throughout the Carbine’s existence, and there is no pitting whatsoever anywhere visible on the metal surfaces, not on the exposed parts outside the stock, the hidden parts under the stock and handguard, or the internal mechanism. Bore and chamber are Very Good. We are not sure whether the camera shows it, but there is faint weakening or flattening at places on the rifling lands that are definitely not conspicuous. There is no pitting at all in the bore, chamber, or anywhere else.

            This rifle’s American Walnut buttstock has been expertly refinished with Tru-Oil, and we detect no cracks anywhere. The serial number cartouches are still deep and crisp. We detect no cracks anywhere on any of the wood surfaces.

            We believe that the tang piece will be easy to replace, and that the matching mill marks on the upper rear flat of the receiver area will be easily enough remedied. The stock has great potential, and is very decent and respectable as it is. The metal is very nice, Very Good in our opinion. We’re offering this historic, serviceable IBM .30 M-1       for only $729.95

 

LG0898

Military IBM .30 M-1 Carbine VG ca. 1943

            This I.B.M. Carbine’s action is serial numbered 37940xx, one of the company’s earlier production specimens. We estimate it was manufactured in 1943, since we only have Canfield’s 1988 book that does not give dates. The Winchester barrel is appropriate, since Winchester began production before our entry into the war and supplied barrels for several of the manufacturers. American Walnut buttstock has been expertly refinished with Tru-Oil, and we detect no cracks anywhere.  Metal is a very nice even arsenal refinish, with some weakness to the serial numbers and stampings on the receiver. Caliber designation on the top of the receiver in front of the bolt is very weak, as are the brand and serial number underneath the rear sight. Barrel surface finish, bayonet lug / band finish, and trigger group finish are all Very Good with strong authentic military coloration. Trigger group is Inland General Motors and so marked; this is not inappropriate either for an early I.B.M. Carbine. Note that the surfaces under the stock are not pitted at all. Bore and chamber are Very Nice, Very Good or better, with no evidence of pitting whatsoever. Other than the stock surface wear that we have noted and shown in the photos, this Carbine’s principal detraction is the inconspicuous but legally necessary Century Arms stamping on the bottom of its barrel. We’re offering it                       for only $729.95

 

LG0899

Military Postal Meter .30 M-1 Carbine VG WWII & Korea

            The receiver assembly on this National Postal Meter .30 M-1 Carbine comes from the fourth assignment block, probably from 1944. We only have Canfield’s 1988 book that does not give dates. This rifle, however, does have a date on its Springfield Armory barrel from November of 1951, so this one saw action in both wars, World War II and the Korean Conflict. The chief detraction to this Carbine, on most of our views, is the inconspicuous but legally necessary Century Arms import stamping on the bottom of its barrel. The barrel itself is as much an asset as a liability, especially given the very nice condition of the metal throughout. American Walnut buttstock has been expertly refinished with Tru-Oil, and we detect no cracks anywhere. Metal surfaces are very nice, Very Good, throughout; we detect no pitting whatsoever on any of the metal surfaces. Photos will support us on that, compare with so many inferior and poorly preserved specimens that have pitting on the parts that fit inside the stock, where this one has no pitting. Contact wear on the metal surfaces is confined to sharp edges of the rear sight, the operating assembly, the front sight and the muzzle. Edges of the trigger guard have a couple of contact nicks, but lots of strength to their military finish. Trigger group body is stamped NL – Q, perhaps from Quality Hardware Machine Corp, one of the WWII contractors. Barrel band / bayonet lug has the letters JM stamped on its right side. Bore and chamber are bright and clean throughout, with no pitting whatsoever. This is a really nice, two-war Carbine whose stock will refinish nicely. We’re offering it                   for only $ 729.95

 

Sales policy: We accept Mastercard or Visa on a phone- or fax-in basis; and USPS Money Orders for immediate shipment. Personal checks, company checks, and in some instances Cashier’s Checks may involve a delay of no more than 8 business days for clearance. We offer a 7 day return privilege, lay-aways and NIB guns excluded. We offer 90 day lay-away with 20 percent down, balance in 90 days, but will levy a 6% per month service charge on the unpaid balance if the lay-away runs past 90 days. We accept trade-ins at agreed-upon prices, delivered to us. We cannot be responsible for the freight on returns unless we have made some sort of glaring mistake.

 

Walk-in customers from Tennessee may buy firearms of any type we have. Tennessee Sales Tax is 9 ¾%, and there is a $10 TBI Tennessee Instant Check Fee on all firearms purchases. Customers from many other states may buy long guns, but that depends on your state's laws. Buyers from Connecticut, Florida, Texas, or California, for example, cannot walk in to our store and buy a firearm; buyers from Indiana, Montana, or Oklahama, for example, can. They are subject to the same sales tax and TICS fees as Tennessee Residents.

 

Shipping rates and information: We must have a signed copy of the purchaser’s Federal Firearms License in order to ship firearms interstate, and that licensee must check out with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as a current, bona fide licensee. Legible faxed and scanned copies are permissible. Individuals commonly use Licensees to act as transfer agents. We always include a gun lock and a copy of the Federal Youth Firearms Safety Act brochure with handguns, shipped or over-the-counter; and we always furnish a copy of our FFL to the receiving dealer.

     

      First handgun is $15.00, $7.50 each for add-ons, insured, USPS Priority Mail. $20 for First Hand Gun to Alaska, California, or Hawaii. California approved gun lock is included at this rate.

      First long gun is $25.00, $10.00 each for add-ons in one order. Insurance is included. $35 for First Long Gun to Alaska, California, or Hawaii.

 

Interstate Shipments of Firearms can go to Federally Licensed Dealers Only. Anyone who undertakes to purchase a firearm must first of all be eligible to own one under State and Federal Law. Disabilities from owning firearms include being under 21 for a handgun (or pistol grip rifle or shotgun) or under 18 for a long gun; conviction, indictment or information of a misdemeanor domestic violence or felony (it does not matter if the person served jail time or not, the conviction or information suffices); adjudication of a nervous disorder or disability; and non-citizenship in the United States. If anyone who is not eligible to own a firearm attempts to purchase one from us, we will assist law enforcement in that person’s prosecution. If anyone attempts to aid and abet the acquisition of a firearm from us for an ineligible person, we will assist in all involved parties’ prosecution. We have no intention of violating any laws. That is why we cannot ship some firearms and/or magazines to jurisdictions that include California, Maryland, New Jersey, and the New York City vicinity.

One of the most common and persistent violations of Federal Law is the straw purchase. Never attempt to buy a gun for someone else under any circumstances. Even spouses buying for each other is tricky. We will not accept third party payment for firearms purchases. If you want to buy someone a present, buy something besides a firearm.

If an unlicensed individual wishes to purchase a firearm that we have advertised on a mail order, interstate basis, he or she must do so legally through an FFL, a federally licensed dealer. Dealers normally charge transfer fees. In our experience, the most readily available transferors are Pawnbrokers and Gunsmiths. Please have transfer logistics worked out before contacting us for a purchase. Thanks for your interest. Law Enforcement officers may purchase a firearm through their department only if it will be used on duty, and Department Letters and paperwork from the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the jurisdiction are required.

 

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