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Topic - Serial Numbers to Look for and Report Posted: Mar 04 2016 at 12:24am By Lupus Dei |
March 2016-G
SERIAL NUMBERS TO LOOK FOR AND REPORT
While collectors have learned much over the years about the quantities and variations of carbines and related accessories that were produced, more can still be learned in some areas. At the end of 2015 the Carbine Club had on record over 75,000 carbine serial numbers that had been reported from various sources. This is not a large sample of the total carbine production, but is enough to give a general picture of the usage of serial numbers and the scarcity of some carbines. It is recognized that most carbine contracts were terminated before the contractors used all the serial numbers they had been assigned. Some contractors apparently skipped groups of numbers within a serial number block, for undocumented reasons. Below is a list showing the serial number ranges where no numbers have been reported, or the information is too scant or may be erroneous.
In addition to the serial number ranges shown above, there are
other things that can be watched for and reported to help expand and
improve the knowledge base. Unusual receiver markings, such as
letters in the serial number area on the receiver, or names lined
out, should be reported even though the carbine might be a
"mixmaster". Rare models, such as those marked T3 or T4,
and experimental or presentation carbines should be reported. Fakes
are common, and repro parts, including barrels, barrel bands, flip
sights, etc. are readily available. If possible, get photos of rare
items.
Carbine Club Newsletter 357 features a comprehensive in-depth statistical analysis of all serial number ranges, the result of more than 30 years of data collecting by members, and written by J.B. Powers. In my opinion, it is the most significant series of articles ever published by anyone on carbine production, in regards to serial numbers used and quantities produced.
former Carbine Club Newsletter Editor
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