Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)
Millville Ordnance Company
aka MOCO
Union, New Jersey
|
|
|
|
|
Characteristics of the Millville Ordnance M1 Carbines
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| CAL: | 30 M1 |
| Weight: | "Approx. 5 lbs." |
| Barrel Length: | 18 inches |
| Sights: | Adjustable |
| Stock: | Walnut |
| Magazine capacity: | 15 rounds |
| Type Finish: | parkerized |
|
|
The Receiver
Demilled GI receivers were not used for the carbines with the Millville Ordnance markings (MOCO). These receivers were made by investment casting then machined to final dimensions. The later receivers tend to have a smoother and more detailed finish machining than the earlier receivers. The later receivers changed slightly (shown below). All were made using the same mold.
The lowest serial number recorded so far is A107, the highest A386. The sequence started by Millville Ordnance continued with the H&S carbines produced from the last of the Millville Ordnance receivers. The lowest H&S receiver serial number found so far is A423, meaning the total number of Millville Ordnance carbines made was between 386 and 423, assuming they started at A000 instead of A100. This will be updated as further information becomes known. If you have a Millville Ordnance carbine or H&S carbine please consider contacting me on our forum and sharing information for this research.
No carbine or caliber markings on the receiver ring.
Consistent throughout production.
(the metal inserted in the rear sight dovetail is an aftermarket item not related to Millville Ordnance)
The MOCO letters inside a banner on top of the receiver behind the rear sight.
Consistent throughout production.
Note the width of the lug on the rear of the receiver. This will change.
Three digit serial numbers preceded by the letter A, set within an oval cut out on the forward end of the left side of the receiver.
Consistent throughout production.
Note the squared forward lug the trigger housing pins too. This will change.
Note the squared forward lug the trigger housing pins too. This will change.
(the metal inserted in the rear sight dovetail is an aftermarket item not related to Millville Ordnance)
Note the weld mark around the squared forward lug the trigger housing pins too
Note the weld mark around the squared forward lug the trigger housing pins too
A better shot of the width of the recoil plate tang on the rear of the earlier MOCO receivers.
Beginning with Millville Ordnance the barrels machined by Plainfield Machine typically mounted the front sight at the rear of the turned down area at the front of the carbine barrel. The normal position for the front sight was and is approximately centered along this smaller diameter area. This practice continued throughout production of the Millville Ordnance, H&S, and Plainfield M1 Carbines.
Note the addition of a support on the front of the lug the trigger housing is pinned too. This support continued through the end of production with MOCO, throughout the production of H&S and onto the early Plainfield Machine M1 Carbines. Plainfield Machine widened the support and it continued on to be used throughout production by Plainfield Machine 1964-1978, Iver Johnson Arms 1978-1990, Israel Arms International 1996-2003, and since 2005 has been used on all of the Auto Ordnance carbines.
It is unknown when Millville Ordnance changed the width and dimension of the tang on the rear of the receiver that engages the recoil plate. The A300 series is the earliest this has been observed so far. This distinctive recoil plate lug continued on the H&S carbines and onto the first Plainfield Machine M1 Carbines.
|
|
The Demise of Millville Ordnance
The United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit, Docket # 18260 Citation 283 F.2d 306, on November 9, 1960, and Citation 292 F.2d 392 on July 19, 1961, indicates Charlie twice appealed his conviction for arms smuggling. Both appeals sustained his conviction. In the Spring of 1962 Charles Colle was remanded into custody and began serving a sentence of less than 18 months at the Danbury Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT.
According to the sons of William Haas, Plainfield Machine Company had not been told of Colle's court proceedings. When Colle was taken into custody, Plainfield Machine was still operating under the contract with Colle and Millville Ordnance. Plainfield Machine was left in possession of receivers, barrels, and parts in various stages of machining and completion. The value of these items, when added to the balance owed by Colle and Millville Ordnance, was substantial enough to impact Plainfield Machine significantly. The decision at Plainfield Machine was to complete the carbines from the parts and receivers in their possession to offset their losses. Plainfield Machine reached an agreement with the wife of Charles Colle to obtain the carbines and related items left at Millville Ordnance.
The story of Millville Ordnance ends at this point and picks up with the H&S M1 Carbines, leading to the history of the Plainfield Machine M1 Carbines.
|
|
