Greetings from the Attic!
Today I'm going to feature a cool little item that a friend gave me years ago, not as a Christmas present, but more as a "here, you want this?" kind of thing. When people know you collect things, sometimes they like to help!
Anyway, the "this" in question is a late 1960s/ early 1970s Cosman M1 Carbine! Although Crosman started making these rifles in 1966, this particular gun was produced sometime between 1968 and 1976. You can tell because it has the molded plastic stock that places it no earlier. The earliest models had a wooden stock.
Here we see why these guns were so popular with kids- the detailing! These really were made to mimic a real M1 Carbine, unlike most bb guns of the time (and earlier) that really didn't look like real guns.
And here is the little item that makes this particular gun worth a bit more; the removable magazine bb storage box! The gun can hold about 20 bbs, but this box can hold many more for quick reloading. The thing is that, being removable and not really needed for the gun to function, many of these are missing from the guns now. In fact, an original box can fetch $75.00 to $150.00 by itself!
Another look at the detailed "bolt" area. In reality, you pull the bolt leaver back to open the loading hole in the forward stock...
...which is the top hole here. You pour in about 20 bbs from your magazine box (watching while they spill all over the place) and then push the lever back to close it.
To cock the gun, you push the barrel back into the stock (you can see where the blueing is worn on the barrel) and pull it back out. This isn't the easiest thing to do, as it takes about 35 lbs of pressure! To fire it, you simply pull the trigger. The safety seen next to the trigger is a non-functional detail.
For a spring activated gun, it's decently powerful, firing at about 300- 390 fps, but modern Co2 guns are more than twice as powerful. This gun can put a dent in soft wood, while a modern air rifle can easily imbed a bb in harder wood. Still, you do need to watch out for your eyes!
Let's take a look at the stats on this gun, shall we?
*Caliber: .177 (shoots steel BBs only).
*Powerplant: Spring-piston, cocked by pushing the barrel forward (push-barrel cocking)—requires significant effort, around 38+ lbs.
*Action: Semi-automatic repeater with gravity-fed internal magazine (holds ~20 BBs for shooting).
*Reservoir: Detachable fake magazine ("clip") that holds extra BBs (original metal ones held ~180 BBs; many now have reproductions or none).
*Velocity: Around 300–390 fps (powerful for a vintage BB gun; can embed BBs in soft wood).
*Sights: Adjustable rear peep sight (windage and elevation), fixed front.
*Length/Weight: ~35–36 inches long, about 5–5.5 lbs (close to the real M1 Carbine's feel).
*Other notes: Smoothbore barrel. The "magazine" and some controls (like the safety) are non-functional replicas for looks.
This was one of the most iconic and desired BB guns of the 1960s–1970s era—many kids' dream gun due to its realistic military styling and power compared to basic Daisys.
It's a collectible now, especially with an original magazine. Plastic-stock versions are more common and affordable than rare wood ones. So how "affordable?" Well, around $200 to $275. Not bad for a freebee! And it's fun for some harmless plunking around (I may or may not have fired it inside the house).
So there you have it! Ralphie, eat your heart out!
Until next time, keep searching for treasure!
