During World War II automobile equipment manufacturer Standard Products was awarded a U.S. government contract for the production of 370,000 M1 carbines at the Port Clinton, Ohio, plant on August 6, 1942. By the end of January 1944, however, the government reduced the contract to around 247,000 carbines. The last of the Standard Products M1s were accepted by the government on April 25, 1944. According to military firearms expert and author Bruce Canfield, “The Standard Products M1 carbine is one of the hardest of the prime contractors to find. Excellent, unmodified examples are much in demand by collectors” (“The Collector’s Guide to the M1 Garand and the M1 Carbine,” page 120). As both an experimental and presentation grade carbine, this M1 is especially rare, worthy of a place of honor in an advanced collection. In fact, some have estimated that fewer than 50 M1 carbine experimental/presentation models were manufactured. The top of the receiver has the experimental designation marking: “U.S. CAR.-.30 M1/EXP_MOD-H.P.D.” The top of the barrel is marked with the date “9-4-1943.” behind the front sight. The windage and elevation adjustable rear peep sight is a unique one-of-a-kind. The carbine has an all polished blue finish, "circle/S" operating rod, "EM-Q" flat bolt, checkered pushbutton safety, "SW" hammer, "S/2/1-A" trigger housing, canvas sling and nicely figured walnut pistol grip stock and two rivet handguard. The non-standard, presentation grade stock is fitted with a black plastic grip cap and smooth buttplate and has an oval oiler cut (oiler included). "S-HB" is stamped in the sling slot. Over the years Rock Island Auction Co. has had the distinct pleasure of offering several presentation grade M1 carbines and these M1s are some of the rarest variations known. This M1 was purportedly presented to Harry P. Davis, the U.S. chief ordnance inspector (M1 carbine) at the Standard Products factory. Accompanying the carbine is Davis’ personal original copy of “An Industrial Wartime Achievement,” Standard Products’ official pictorial book documenting the manufacturer’s production contributions to win World War II. The first page of the book has an original signed letter from the president of Standard Products to Harry Davis. This letter praises Davis’ wartime work at the factory and is simply dated “VJ-DAY.” An included three ring binder contains original and copied documents detailing Standard Products’ wartime effort to produce the M1 carbine. The following are documents contained in the binder. “The Manufacture of U.S. Carbine M1 at The Standard Products Company, Port Clinton, Ohio” report details production efforts, plant floor layout, tooling costs, background on contractor and ordnance personnel, and supply chain management. An 11 page report from the U.S. Ordnance Department lists specifications required for the production and inspection of M1 carbines. A report compiled on June 30, 1944 lists parts by sub-contractors procured by Standard Products. Two reports by Harry Davis provide an overview of Standard Products’ efforts to manufacture M1 carbines as well as with associated memos.

Excellent, retaining 90% plus original polished blue finish with a very few areas of spotting. The wood is very fine with minor dings and scratches and retaining most of the original finish. The magazine is absent. Mechanically excellent. An attractive example of a rare original Standard Products experimental/presentation grade M1 carbine.