"Ol' Number 1"

[Rick the Librarian]

I heard that MOST of the M1s sold in those days, at least by Kleins, were L/L M1s.

I have a L/L M1 very close to yours (which I did NOT get in those days, unfortunately!), 329,895.

[rayg]

One of my first was a Winchester M1 carbine I bought back in 1955 when I was 15 yrs old before there were any legal carbines in civilian hands. Any of them around had been illegally liberated from the government with a few exceptions back then and were kept out of sight. I had saw an ad in the Shot Gun news for a carbine built up on a suplus receiver purchased from Winchester and with a bill of sale from same so legal. Sent the money in, $60, and I always remember when I picked it up at the Post Office, the clerk came out carrying the box and asked me if it was my birthday. I did have my 16th birthday coming soon so I answered yes. Well he said it looks like some one sent you a 22 rifle for your birthday. LoL.
I would go to the range with it and it always drew a crowd watching me shoot it as it wasn't until the 1960's that you were able to purchase carbines legally through the Government Marksman program. Ray

[Shooter5]

Ishapore 2A1; an India arsenal made copy of the No1 updated to fire the 762 Nato cartridge and a No4 in 303. Paid about $75 for each twenty years ago.

[John Sukey]

Just a note, your rifle was not refinished in suncorite, that was applied when it was made

[Rick the Librarian]

Thanks for the correction - I had thought that Suncorite was not used on earlier British rifles as an original finish. I also have a similar finish on a Inglis 9mm, as well.

(Coincidentally, the Inglass was my first high-powered pistol -- although purchased some 33 years after the Enfield)

[Shooter5]

(Coincidentally, the Inglass was my first high-powered pistol -- although purchased some 33 years after the Enfield)

Got to see the Inglis factory buildings in Toronto before they were torn down. It was a huge complex.

[Beachbumbob]

Here's my first one. I got it sometime in October 1962. $12.95 and included 50 rounds of ammunition. Other than being almost a smoothbore now it is still in great shape. It's a 1917 Lithgow #1MkIII.

For those of you who complain about the lack of military surplus ammunition - this rifle and I are part of the reason there isn't any!

[joem]

Quite a while back I ordered three rifles (C&R). They were dropped off on my front porch with no signature. Can't remember if it was the brown truck or not.

[Mr Hanky]

My first rifle was an M1 Garand that my uncle got for me when I graduated college in 2006. I still have it and like Rick it's in my never sell category.

[rifles4me]

My first was an old ratty Brazilian Mauser carbine in 7.62x51 got it when I turned 18 back in 2001. Oh the days of getting a box of LC 70's 7,62 for $6.25!