M1 Carbine Stuff

[the Bucket]

I went to Franklin Armory in Dallas and picked up a M1 Carbine mag, Sling and Oiler, and a stripper clip for $70 bucks. I thought I was buying a Underwood mag and it turned out to be a "UI" Inland. I was pretty disappointed about that. But $30 bucks for a WW2 Carbine mag is pretty good I guess. Any clue about this sling? Does that say MRT? Is that 1959? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[robinb]

MRT stands for Mildew Resistant Treatment and the dated looks like 1952 but I could be wrong.

[the Bucket]

Okay so does that mean it was a US one made for the Korean war?

[robinb]

Yes.

[mrrm]

I believe the date associated with the MRT marking is the date treatment was applied. That being the year at least, as an exact day is not indicated. Now I could be mistaken, however I had an original C-tip M1 Carbine sling showing an MRT treatment date of 1951. C-tip carbine slings were no longer being manufactured at that later date.     

 

You will find MRT markings on the cotton canvas material as well as stamped into the metal D-tip sometimes. 

[the Bucket]

Thank you. I aquired a 1943 Underwood that had been reworked for Korea. So I wanted an appropriate sling for a gun that went to Korea.

 

[mrrm]

That is a nice-looking carbine.  Your D-tip sling will go nicely with it. There were plenty of C-tip slings still in the supply system that saw use in Korea. I've seen photographs of carbines with C-tip slings in use during the Vietnam War.  Carbines with type 1 and 2 front bands in use in VN as well. Again, not the norm but some snuck by during rebuild/upgrades. 

[Matt_X]

My recollection is the same as mrrm. Someone like Bill Ricca stated the MRT stamp was applied at time of treatment, which could have been after the original manufacture. There may also be a list of known contracts published, but regardless its period appropriate. 

 

In my opinion $30 is on the high side for a magazine.  At least that one is is nice shape and one in the hand is better than two in the bush.

 

The strip clips came into use during the Korean war.  The clips were packed in "bandoleers" with a cardboard sleeve around each clip of 10.  

 

As Ola Mize relates in this interview, the change to supplying carbine ammo in bandoleers was a surprise to them.   (June 1953)

(Side note: Mize later joined in the early Special Forces around 1960, served in Vietnam and retired a full Colonel. )

 

PS. Its common to find the cartridges on the strip clips to be from earlier production that was then repacked onto the clips.  So until you look at the headstamp, its hard to know unless you have access to the packing info that shows the lot number.  I only mention that because last month I chronographed 10 rounds of what I thought was early 70s Lake City and turned out to be early '60s R-P cartridges.  Woops!

[the Bucket]

Great info! I probably wont shoot the stripper clip, just wanted an example. Where I am located WW2 carbine mags run around $50 unless they are real beat up. I dont shoot this much so I really dont need extra mags, but two is nice to have. Just kind of wanted an "Underwood" since that is what my reciever/barrel is. So I will probably trade this Inland for an Underwood. But since this is not matching numbers I am not in a huge rush.

[Matt_X]

Trading is always a great option.  You could try a want to trade ad here or on the Carbine Club forum. (Might have to have a minumum number iof posts, I can't recall). I recently saw 15 rnd magazines for sale on a website for far less than 50 even considering sales tax and shipping.  If I can remember where I'll send you a PM.

[the Bucket]

Please do!

[mrrm]

Wow the Col. Mize interview is excellent. Thanks for linking that. 

[mrrm]

And let me add, he was an outstanding solider and a better man. 

[pwcosol]

8 hours ago, the Bucket said:

Great info! Where I am located WW2 carbine mags run around $50 unless they are real beat up. I don't shoot this much so I really don't need extra mags, but two is nice to have. Just kind of wanted an "Underwood" since that is what my receiver/barrel is. So I will probably trade this Inland for an Underwood. But since this is not matching numbers I am not in a huge rush.

 A local shop has three 15 rd. USGI M1 carbine mags in a bin (central Az.). Each is marked at $15./ea. and two are "U" marked on the spine. Both are in exc+ condition. Funny in that there are a few bagged repro 15 rd. repros by PMAG I think, for $20./ea. Originals have been there for many months. Last saw them about a week ago so likely they are still there...

[the Bucket]

Unfortunately "U" marked mags are post WW2 aren't they?

[Matt_X]

1 hour ago, the Bucket said:

Unfortunately "U" marked mags are post WW2 aren't they?

Check the stamping and the bottom plate.

The US government also direct purchased from many of the magazine manufactures during WW2. 

For example, this discussion about Stanley Works.

https://www.uscarbinecal30.com/Forum/sw-magazines-not-winchester-spotters-report_topic3984.html

 

U could be Union Hardware

https://www.eqth.net/mirror/carbinemags/#misc

 

edit: Here's a photo of one of their stamps.

 

or U could be current/recent production frome Korea.  Thestamp is a little different and the  base plate is noticibly different. 

Shown here with the hold open follower, but the fellow in the previous post bought the same magazine in the same packaging except it had a regular follower.

https://www.uscarbinecal30.com/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3568&PID=40575&title=magazines#40575

 

 

[Matt_X]

Found one of the leading carbine club members has identified Union Hardware's contract start dates.

<quote>Union Hardware is another one, they had 4 contracts to ordnance, there happens to be u distinct "U" markings, all are listed as having T3 plates. Dates start at 7-43 to 8-44.</quote>

 

30 round magazines were for all practical purposes manufactured after WW2 but in time to see extensive use in Korea.  There's some research showing they were to be issued with M2 (select fire) Carbines, while those with standard M1 carbines were issued 15 round magazines.

[pwcosol]

Excellent info. If memory serves, the two mags have earlier, flat floorplates. Will be walking right by the place today, so will take a second look...

[the Bucket]

I went to a local gun show, and a guy had an Inland M1 with a Circle IU mag in it. So we traded, and now I have an Underwood mag for my Underwood Carbine!

[Matt_X]

Win-Win! That's the way to do it.

[blind pew]

On 1/31/2026 at 1:48 PM, the Bucket said:

I went to Franklin Armory in Dallas and picked up a M1 Carbine mag, Sling and Oiler, and a stripper clip for $70 bucks. I thought I was buying a Underwood mag and it turned out to be a "UI" Inland. I was pretty disappointed about that. But $30 bucks for a WW2 Carbine mag is pretty good I guess. Any clue about this sling? Does that say MRT? Is that 1959? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Who cares about the magazine? 
 

Of course, weapons used in combat were supplied with whatever mags were available.

 

Carbine collectors are a little weird (I can say that, as I have one of every maker). The only carbines that have the correct mfg stamped parts all matching were pilfered by GIs, as EVERY used carbine went to the arsenals, who upgraded to type II sights, flip safeties, round bolts, low wood, and added bayonet lugs. 
 

Thus, the overwhelming majority of “correct” carbines have been put together by collectors, eager for mfg “matching” parts. And one is left to ponder exactly what constitutes a “real”, “matching” carbine? 
 

Then what exactly is a “matching” IP or S’G’, as one will find parts for each in those makers, as the only “issued” IP carbines came through S’G’? 

[the Bucket]

I know it does not matter, but I just kind of wanted one.