Early 4-Digit Inland Division M1 Carbine .30 Cal Rifle 1942 C&R ALL CORRECT
SOLD FOR: $3,498.00
LSB#: LSB250902MG003
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 6833
Year of Manufacture: 05/42-09/43
Barrel Date: July 1942
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. 6833”.
The magazine release is unmarked (serrated long face Type I– correct for initial production 1942).
The right side of the Type I rear sight is marked “S” and the left is marked “IN B” for IBM.
The right side of the trigger group is marked with the Inland Logo and the left side is marked with a Flaming Bomb.
The left side of the hammer is marked with an “H” within a shield and a flaming bomb for Inland
The Type I slide is marked “PI” within a circle inside the slide well for Inland
The top of the barrel is marked “P” about mid length, the end of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 7-42”. The barrel flat is marked with a Flaming Bomb and several proofs.
The Type I-A front sight is stamped with an “N” for Inland.
The upper handguard is stamped with an “O” Overton mark with a Flaming Bomb.
The Type I Early Narrow Band is unmarked – Correct for Inland.
The sear is marked “RI” for Inland.
The sling well is marked with Crossed Cannons, “O” Overton mark, “LA” which is the first use of the Applegate initials. This pattern of stock markings matches serials 1,550 – 9,800” – Correct for this rifle.
The recoil plate is an early Type I-B (Double Tang) Prototype plate that is unmarked – These recoil plates were discovered in a cache of early Inland parts and are assumed to be manufactured by Inland. There were (3) of the Type I-A and (5) of the Type I-B recoil plates. According to R.C. Larson these prototype plates were used on the first several hundred carbines produced by Inland before the Type II recoil plate was adopted.
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Type I-A fixed blade with protective ears. The rear sight is a Type I Flip Sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a Type I (high wood) I Cut stock with an Auto Ordnance checkered metal Buttplate, Type I upper handguard with wide groove and 2 rivets, and Type I Early Narrow Band. The mag release is an Early Type I serrated long face. The safety is an early Type I checkered crossbolt. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock has small scrapes, scuffs and compression marks throughout the stock. There are no chips or cracks. Overall the stock rates in about Fine overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is some minor intermittent erosion and fine pitting. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 40% of the original finish. Most of the metal has taken to a mottled patina with light oxidation. There is thinning on the leading edges. There is general operation wear on the action. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with strong serviceable slots. 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: Olive Drab D-Tip sling and buttstock cleaning kit.
Our Assessment: Early-production Inland M1 Carbines occupy a uniquely important place in U.S. ordnance history, and a four-digit example such as this—serial 6833 with a July 1942 barrel—is exceptionally scarce. Inland was the lead development contractor for the carbine program, and the company’s earliest rifles display a constellation of prototype, pilot-run, and first-pattern components that disappeared almost immediately once mass-production ramped up. This rifle shows exactly those traits: a Type I high-wood I-cut stock with correct early Applegate “LA” markings, Type I narrow band, Type I flip sight, early long-face magazine catch, Type I crossbolt safety, and prototype Type I-B recoil plate from the extremely limited group documented by R.C. Larson. These components, paired with a 7-42 Inland barrel, make the rifle a textbook early Inland configuration rarely encountered outside advanced collections.
The .30 Carbine cartridge, designed specifically for the M1 Carbine program, offered light recoil and portable firepower for troops who needed something more capable than a handgun but lighter than the M1 Garand. Despite showing the finish loss and patina expected on an early-war carbine, this Inland retains crisp markings, authentic parts throughout, and a bright, sharp bore with serviceable rifling. Its mechanical function remains sound, and the overall condition reflects honest age rather than post-war rebuild alteration. As a documented early Inland with correct and exceedingly rare first-pattern components, this rifle stands as a highly desirable example from the formative months of M1 Carbine production—an opportunity seldom available on the collector market. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
