WWII Inland Division General Motors M1 Carbine w/ Underwood parts MFD 1943
SOLD FOR: $1,210.00
WOA#: WY240601RN004
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 558985
Year of Manufacture: July of 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. 558985” with a flaming bomb stamp.
The magazine release is marked “MWA”.
The rear sight is marked “PI”
The Lug is unmarked.
The stock is marked with a dot “U” dot on the left side for Underwood Elliot Fisher, with a “M-U” for Marlin Underwood in the sling cut and “GHD UEF” cartouche stamp on the right side for Guy H. Drewry and Underwood Elliot Fisher.
The trigger group is unmarked.
The left side of the hammer is marked dot “U” dot for Underwood.
The slide is marked “M”.
The Bottom of the barrel has no markings, The top of the barrel is marked “P” about two inches back from the front sight, the end of the barrel is marked “Underwood / 7-43” with the flaming bomb stamp.
The front sight is stamped with “N”.
The barrel band is marked “MMO”
The upper handguard is stamped “Pederson U” on the inside for Pederson BROS CO. Elliot fisher handguard.
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 serrated windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an Oval cut, low wood stock, with a type one two rivet handguard, type three barrel band with bayonet lug, a later style flip type 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 stock shows scratches on the left side by the receiver, and a scuff on the left side rear near the butt plate. It also shows the usual scattered marks for a rifle of the age. There are no chips or cracks in the wood. The metal butt plate has semi-dulled checkering, has lost most of its finish and has begun to turn brown with patina. There are also some scratches and tool marks near the screw and the metal is bent inward at the screw. The handguard also has some scratches and compressions. The handguard also has no chips or cracks. Overall the wood rates in about Very Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This carbine includes one 15 round magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with well defined rifling. There is no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The majority of the finish loss is concentrated on the trigger guard guard and magazine well which have lost their finish and turned brown with patina. The charging handle on the slide has lost some of its finish and has begun to develop surface rust. The friction surfaces on the receiver and bolt show rub wear. The barrel and barrel band retain almost all of their finish with some minor wear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition for C&R.
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 the magazine.
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 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 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. The M1 Carbine saw widespread use in World War II, becoming a staple firearm for 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. After World War II, the M1 Carbine continued to serve in the Korean War and saw limited use in subsequent conflicts. It also became popular among civilian shooters and collectors due to its historical significance and manageable recoil. 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 example has an early manufactured barrel and receiver set and is considered a first production block rifle for the Inland Division. This carbine also has the unique flaming bomb mark on the receiver, and many of the parts including the stock and barrel are made by Underwood Elliot Fisher the Typewriter manufacturer. To better understand this unique M1 carbine please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
