Early WWII Inland Division General Motors M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18” Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,936.00
LSB#: LSB251030RN003
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 279853
Year of Manufacture: May 1942- December 1943 Barrel Date 3-1943
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. 279853”.
The magazine release is marked “W-I” Wadsworth Watch & Case for Inland
The rear sight is marked with “I.R.C.O.” for International Register CO.
The trigger group is marked “INLAND”
The hammer is marked “HI” for Hillerich Machine Company.
The slide is marked “PI” for Packard Inland
The safety is unmarked
The bolt is unmarked
The top of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. GENERAL MOTORS 3-43″, and “P”. The barrel flat has the usual Inland hieroglyphics.
The front sight is marked “N” Inland
The barrel band is unmarked
The sear is marked “RI”. REECE Buttonhole Machine Co. for Inland
The upper handguard is marked “IO” for Inland Overton
The Stock is marked “IO” for Inland Overton, “P” on the pommel and an Ordnance Wheel on the right flank.
The lug is unmarked
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a simple blade set between protective wings and the rear sight is a late style sliding aperture sight with knurled adjustment knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock on this rifle is an I cut, high wood stock with a two rivet handguard, a type 1 barrel band, and a cross bolt safety. The LOP is 13” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the butt plate. The wood has been sanded and re-finished. The wood shows surface level lines, scratches, compressions and rub marks. The comb has a repair plug. The handguard shows chips missing from around the left rivet and the I cut in the stock. There is also a chip missing from the sling cut. There are no cracks. The butt plate has turned brown with age and shows surface rust developing between the checkering and rub wear around the edges. Overall the stock set is in Good+ condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one x 15 round magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no visible pitting or erosion. There are some minor lines from use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.25/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains 93% of the metal finish. The bolt and friction surfaces of the receiver show minor rub wear. The metal surface shows some minor handling and scattered light marks. Some of the metal has turned brown from age. The bottom of the barrel shows some surface rust spots forming. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in 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 the magazine, oiler, and canvas sling.
Our Assessment: The M1 Carbine was adopted in 1941 to provide U.S. forces with a lightweight, handy firearm, and Inland Division of General Motors was the largest and most prolific prime contractor. Early Inland production from 1942–1943 represents the formative period of carbine manufacture, before many later wartime simplifications were introduced. Rifles from this era are especially desirable for retaining early features that were phased out as production accelerated or rifles were rebuilt.
This example is an early Inland M1 Carbine made circa 1942-1943 and is fitted with a correct Inland barrel dated March 1943. The rifle has not been refinished and retains its Inland-marked stock and handguard, including a correct early I-cut, high-wood stock. It also retains the original cross-bolt safety, another hallmark of early production. Overall, this is a strong early-war Inland carbine that retains key original features collectors look for, making it an excellent example of early Inland produced M1 Carbines. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
