Fully Transferable Pearl Mfg. Converted M2 Inland M1 Carbine Machine Gun
SOLD FOR: $12,025.00
LSB#: WY250129XX101
Make: Converted by Pearl Mfg. Corp., Inland Division of General Motors receiver.
Model: M1 Carbine, M2 Conversion
Serial Number: 6335616
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1944, no barrel date. Converted pre-1986.
Caliber: .30 Cal Carbine
Action Type: Select-Fire Full- or Semi-Automatic carbine fed by detachable magazines (no magazine included).
Markings:
The top of the receiver is marked, “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” on the chamber ring and “INLAND DIV. / 6335616” on the heel.
The Bottom of the barrel on the flat is stamped with a series of letters and numbers, The top of the barrel is marked “P” about 5″ back from the front sight. The end of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS”, there is no barrel date.
The front sight is stamped with “N”
The barrel band is marked “U”
The slide is marked “7161843-SA”
The rear sight is marked “S” on the left and “A-R” on the right
The bolt is unmarked.
The trigger group is marked “INLAND”.
The magazine release is marked “M” and “EI”
The rotating safety is marked “H.T.”
The hammer is unmarked.
The upper handguard is stamped “H.I.”
The top of the barrel is hand-scribed “PEARL MFG. CORP. / GRANTS NM”, the left of the disconnector is marked “716837”, the selector is marked “A”.
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears pinned to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding two-position aperture sight dovetailed to the top-rear of the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a handguard secured by a barrel band with sling loop, semi-pistol grip, straight comb, steel buttplate, and sling pass-through with oiler. The stock has has some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is some discoloration and stubborn residue. There is a surface crack at a knot in the left of the grip that does not extend to any edges. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has wear and infrequent minor oxidation around the edges. Overall, the stock is in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. This rifle was converted to M2 configuration post-war.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion, mostly toward the muzzle-end and some stubborn copper fouling. Our gauge shows an ME of about 1.75. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable wear is on the barrel from the front of the stock about mid-way to the front sight and operational wear on the slide raceway. There is some other scattered more minor wear. The action shows normal operational wear. There are some light nicks and scratches. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the Pearl Mfg. Corp. marking on the barrel is light, but legible. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This carbine includes a green canvas sling and a U.S.-marked green canvas zipper case. Please note, no magazine is included.
Our Assessment: During the early stages of World War II, the U.S. military recognized the need for a lightweight rifle that would bridge the gap between the heavy and cumbersome M1 Garand rifle and the standard issue sidearm, the M1911 pistol. The goal was to provide rear echelon and support troops with a compact and easy-to-handle firearm that offered more firepower than a pistol but was lighter and more maneuverable than a full-size rifle. In 1941, the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Department contracted with various manufacturers, including Winchester, Inland, and General Motors’ Inland Division, to develop and produce the M1 Carbine.
The rifle was designed by a team led by firearms designer David Williams, who drew inspiration from the successful M1 Garand and the short-recoil action of the M1 Thompson submachine gun. The M1 Carbine featured a gas-operated, semi-automatic action and fired a .30 caliber cartridge known as the .30 Carbine. The cartridge, while less powerful than the standard .30-06 ammunition used in the M1 Garand, offered greater capacity and reduced recoil, making it more controllable and well-suited for short to medium-range engagements.
Despite the intent to provide the rifles to rear echelon troops, the M1 Carbine saw widespread use in World War II, becoming a staple firearm for all American troops. It was praised for its reliability, ease of use, and versatility. The rifle was not only issued to U.S. forces but also provided to allied nations through various lend-lease programs. The M1 Carbine continued to serve in the Korean War and saw limited use in subsequent conflicts.
In addition to its original configuration, other variants were introduced including the M1A1 Paratrooper, the M2 select-fire machinegun, and the M3 which was equipped with an early night vision optic. Overall, the M1 Carbine played a significant role in U.S. military history, offering a lightweight and reliable firearm that filled a niche between pistols and full-size rifles. Its compact design, firepower, and ease of use made it a favored weapon among soldiers in various roles and contributed to its enduring legacy.
This is a very interesting example of an M1 Carbine that was converted to M2 configuration by Pearl Mfg. Corp. sometime after WWII and before 1986. It is a registered machinegun, transferable on a Form 3 or Form 4 after BATF approval. M1 Carbine owners know how much fun they are to shoot, but there’s nothing like full-auto to make it even better. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
