
WWII Inland Division General Motors M1 Carbine .30 Cal Semi Auto 6-1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,751.00
LSB#: LSB250512SG078
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 475388
Year of Manufacture: 1943, Barrel Date 6-1943.
Caliber: .30 Cal Carbine
Action Type: Semi-Automatic carbine fed by detachable magazines.
Markings:
The top of the receiver is marked, “U.S. CARBINE CAL. 30 M1 / INLAND DIV. 475388”. The bottom is marked “7”.
The magazine release is marked “W-I”. for Wadsworth Watch Case CO. Used on Early Inlands.
The rear sight is marked “I.R.C.O. 7160060”-for International Register CO.
The Lug is unmarked
The stock is marked “IO” for Inland Overton. The right side of the stock has a large ordnance wheel and the pommel has a circle “P’ acceptance stamp.
The upper handguard is marked “IO” for Inland Overton
The trigger group is marked “INLAND”
The hammer is marked “HI” for Hillerich Machine Company.
The cross bolt safety is unmarked
The slide is marked “PI” on the inside. For Packard Inland.
The Bottom of the barrel has no markings, The barrel flat has the usual Inland “hieroglyphics”, The top of the barrel is marked “P” about 5.25 inches back from the front sight, the end of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. GENERAL MOTORS 6-43”. The top of the chamber has a small flaming bomb. The front of the gas block is marked “BI”: This barrel is produced by BROWN-LIPE-CHAPLIN division of G.M.C.. During 1943 B.I. produced 90,000 extra barrels for use on carbines. These barrels are considered to be the finest of the “FREE ISSUE” barrels sent out to prime contractors that did not produce their own barrels.
The front sight is unmarked
The barrel band is unmarked
The sear is marked “PI”
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the later style sliding aperture sight with a knurled windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an Oval cut, high wood stock, with a two rivet handguard, type two barrel band, a crossbolt safety and a checkered metal Buttplate. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The wood shows marks, lines, and compressions scattered throughout. The edges of the nose, right side of the handguard, right behind the trigger guard, and sling cut show small chips. There are no visible cracks. The metal buttplate has lost its finish and turned brown with age showing some minor surface rust. The checkering is still mostly sharp. Overall the stock is in Good+ condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Parkerized / Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with defined rifling. There is no visible erosion or pitting. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.25/10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains 99% of its metal finish. The finish has turned brownies green from oil, age, and cleaning. The bolt and action show very minor finish loss on the friction surfaces. The markings are mostly clear and the screw heads are sharp with a few minor tool marked slots. Some of the edges show a thinned finish with some very minor surface level lines. There is some surface level oxidation forming on the trigger guard. Overall this rifle is in 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 rifle includes a canvas sling.
Our Assessment: This Inland Division M1 Carbine, manufactured in June 1943, is a classic wartime configuration produced during the height of U.S. small arms manufacturing in World War II. Inland, a division of General Motors, was the lead contractor on the M1 Carbine project and produced more carbines than any other manufacturer, over 2.6 million during the war. Inland’s close relationship with other GM subsidiaries allowed it to source high-quality components rapidly, helping meet the enormous wartime demand. The M1 Carbine itself was designed to bridge the gap between a pistol and a full-size rifle, offering rear-echelon troops, paratroopers, and officers a lightweight, fast-handling semi-automatic firearm chambered in .30 Carbine.
This particular example is notable for several rare and historically interesting features. The “Wadsworth Watch Case” magazine release reflects a creative wartime partnership, Wadsworth, traditionally a watch component manufacturer, repurposed its precision machining capabilities to support the war effort. The “BI”-marked barrel indicates it was produced by Brown-Lipe-Chapin, another GM division, which contributed approximately 90,000 barrels in 1943 as part of a “free issue” program for contractors like Inland. These BI barrels are widely regarded as among the best in that category due to their precision and material quality. The Packard-marked slide also ties back to Inland’s GM family, showcasing the widespread use of automotive expertise in firearm manufacturing. Altogether, this June 1943 Inland carbine reflects the broader industrial mobilization of WWII America, bringing together multiple GM divisions and manufacturers in a coordinated effort to arm U.S. forces with one of the most iconic rifles of the 20th century. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
