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Circle K carbine stock |
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Ghostman
On Point Joined: May 31 2016 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 106 |
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Posted: Apr 25 2017 at 8:17pm |
Recently saw an auction for a stock that said it was made by Keystone. The same makers of the M1903 sniper stock, as marked by a K inside a circle. Was this a post war maker surplus stock or a commercial replacement stock? Sorry no pics. :-(
Thanks Michael
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GotSnlB28
Hard Corps Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 892 |
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Yes, Keystone did make USGI M2 replacement stocks. I have one on one of my rifles. Not rare, but I haven't seen too many around.
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W5USMC
Moderator Group Joined: Apr 29 2017 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 2949 |
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Circle K stock on my Standard Products Carbine I got from the CMP.
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Wayne
USMC Retired NRA Life Member |
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Why Carbines?
Hard Corps Joined: Dec 27 2015 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 883 |
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I've actually seen a small number of Circle K stocks with authentic looking Inland cartouche stamps on them. In fact, if you look around the web some you can find some a few threads where people asked who made the K stocks and said BTW it has a cartouche too. Finally, I've seen a few people who say the Circle K stocks are Korean, which I tend to disagree with.
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SSNPingjockey
On Point Joined: Mar 07 2020 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 225 |
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I've had this M2 stock for a while and was going to put it on a carbine that I am going to use as my "shooter".
I had seen the K in a circle stamp and just now took the time to search the forum to see if anyone knew what the Circle-K meant.
It appears that there is some agreement by Dan and Bill that it is likely for Keystone Manufacturing. There is another thread that references Bill Ricca: http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/m2-stock-mark-question_topic3781.html _______________________________________________________________________ "This is a quote from Bill Ricca found on the CMP forum..... "I need more documentation to prove it, but I think it may be Keystone Manufacturing from Boston, Mass during WWII. Keystone had two other stock contracts, one which I can identify for the 03 series rifles. Keystone had a "Stock Assemblies" contract from 10/44 thru 5/45. The time puts it in line with M2 Production. Can't prove it yet, but it makes sense. I doubt it is post war due to the location of the markings." Several other examples on the net show the circle K with a different number...maybe indicating which batch it was from?" ________________________________________________________________________ Just wondering if anyone has learned anything on these since the 2017 and 2018 posts? I see that Wayne has one on a Carbine. If these M2 stocks are really late WWII war-time production, I would think they would be a bit more desirable than a post-war made M2 stock from the 50s, 60s, etc. If they are war-time production, that would make sense that some have been seen with cartouches on them. It is a beautifully made stock. Think I should put it on a shooter or put it aside? Thanks |
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Chad
USN Retired |
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Quietus
Recruit Joined: Aug 10 2019 Location: north Wyoming Status: Offline Points: 63 |
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I have a Circle K M2 stock that went to Italy. It came back here with an Italian FAG + star+ two digit date stamping. Currently it's hosting a maybe three-war Underwood that came back from Korea.
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GotSnlB28
Hard Corps Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 892 |
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IMHO you have nothing to lose by using it. I can't see where they will get super valuable or anything. You're right they are well made, nice looking stocks. Mine is still in use and no worse for the wear. It's unlikely it would be damaged in normal use. Make sure there's relief behind the recoil plate tang.
I haven't seen any recent new information on them surface. |
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SSNPingjockey
On Point Joined: Mar 07 2020 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 225 |
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Joel,
You said “relief behind the recoil plate tang”…..what does that mean? Good info…school me on that, please.
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Chad
USN Retired |
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GotSnlB28
Hard Corps Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 892 |
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Chad, very small amount of clearance between the recoil plate and the inlet on the stock. If it's tight, they have a tendency to crack or chip out. I've learned it the hard way. Here is a picture of the SA stock on my shooter Winchester. You would not have to relieve it as much as shown in my close up picture. Just so there's not tight contact with the wood. I use a small piece of 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around the appropriate sized dowel. It doesn't take much! I only do this for shooters... collector stocks I don't shoot and leave be. No effect on accuracy, this is in fact one of the best shooting carbines that I own.
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SSNPingjockey
On Point Joined: Mar 07 2020 Location: NC Status: Offline Points: 225 |
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Thanks Joel…good to know. Seen many stocks with small cracks like you are talking about, but just figured it was because the plate had been over tightened.
Dan said that he is working on some information on the K marked stocks and an article will be forthcoming in the future. Will be eager to see what he has uncovered. I was just thinking that the K marked M2 stocks with the various “O”, or “0” along with the various other numbers may be the original late WWII made M2 stocks for Inland and Winchester and; therefore, a bit more coveted. Like purely speculating that Keystone was a subcontractor for Overton, thus the K mark and the “O” mark, IF it is an “O”. It may very well be a zero. I’m sure Dan will shed some more light on it.
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Chad
USN Retired |
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GotSnlB28
Hard Corps Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 892 |
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Just FYI there's been a circle K on fleabay, item 203681545389. Shows some use, but in case anyone is interested or to check out markings (it has an 'O'). I took a screenshot of the sling well to post later if it's of interest.
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