Hello, I ran across an M-1 cleaning kit. It has what appears to be an odd piece in it. Any help identifying it would be appreciated. Thanks

 

 

That is a very unique piece, so is the combo tool.  Have never observed either variant.  I also notice that the eye-let piece has a different thread cuts than the rods.  Are there any markings on the bag?

I thought is might be something different. The bag has stenciling I have never seen. To make things easier, here is a link to the kit as it is being auctioned on ebay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/295516127519

7 minutes ago, HD-Ghost said:

That is a very unique piece, so is the combo tool.  Have never observed either variant.  I also notice that the eye-let piece has a different thread cuts than the rods.  Are there any markings on the bag?

I see what you mean about the eyelet piece - it only screws into the odd short section - I didn't notice that before. Thanks!

You appear to have pictured a rare USMC M1 Garand cleaning kit.

 

Tough to locate, especially complete. 

 

The item pictured is a jag used to push a cleaning patch through the rifle bore. 

5 minutes ago, M1Garandy said:

You appear to have pictured a rare USMC M1 Garand cleaning kit.

 

Tough to locate, especially complete. 

 

The item pictured is a jag used to push a cleaning patch through the rifle bore. 

Thanks for your help. It'll be interesting to see how the ebay auction does.

As the listing appears to correctly identify the kit for what it is, I'd imagine you'll do well. 

 

Going from memory since my kit is at home, IIRC the kits were made post WWII by a company called Universal Novelties (or something similar). There might have been an earlier type with an aluminum handle that was just a handle before it was also a tool for disassembling and reassembling the bolt and as a screwdriver.

 

There was a great thread on these on the CMP Forum with loads of pics that seems to have disappeared.  

8 minutes ago, M1Garandy said:

As the listing appears to correctly identify the kit for what it is, I'd imagine you'll do well. 

 

Going from memory since my kit is at home, IIRC the kits were made post WWII by a company called Universal Novelties (or something similar). There might have been an earlier type with an aluminum handle that was just a handle before it was also a tool for disassembling and reassembling the bolt and as a screwdriver.

 

There was a great thread on these on the CMP Forum with loads of pics that seems to have disappeared.  

I believe that the pouch is marked "UNIVERSAL ENGINEERING" but it is not too easy to make it all all out. As an ebay seller, we are always hoping for the "Holy Grail" items- maybe we got lucky on this one!

That might be it. I'll see if I can dig mine out when I get home and see how legible it is.

 

My kit was around $20 on eBay several years back because it was not listed as anything besides "brass cleaning rod" or similar. Properly identified, complete and/or sold on an enthusiast forum they do much better. 

Ebay can really surprise a person on auctions. Auctions are WAY down these days, but some unique item auctions still do very well. Hopefully, this one of those auction. Some time ago, I bought an old shaving mug with a broken handle - there was a hand painted policeman on it and the owner's name - probably from the early 1900's - my wife said she figured I had just tossed away $10, but the auction went to $250 LOL

That seems to happen to all the "sleeper" auctions I think I find.

 

I found my kit and it is indeed marked Universal Engineering and also really hard to read.

Looks like you did OK in the last thirty seconds or so. Thats about where I figured you'd end up. 

6 minutes ago, M1Garandy said:

Looks like you did OK in the last thirty seconds or so. Thats about where I figured you'd end up. 

Looks like getting some expert help, M1Garandy, paid off! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 

You are welcome.

 

It was cheap for long enough that I was entertaining put a throwaway bid in right when it took off.