IBM M1 Carbine I.B.M. .30 Semi Automatic Rifle MFD 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1400

LSB#: 210918MW13

Make: IBM. The International Business Machines Corporation, USA

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 3773957

Year of Manufacture: October to December, 1943 (page 29 of Scott Duff’s book The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide). Barrel Date 1 – 52

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: The import mark under the barrel is in small text. It reads “ARL ORD ARLINGTON, VA”. The top front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” and the rear is marked “I.B.M. CORP. / 3773957” . The Springfield Armory replacement barrel is marked “SA  1  52”. The right rear of the trigger group is marked “W” which is a Winchester mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The bottom is marked “59”.  The hammer is marked “AM” which is a partially struck “AMB”, IBM mark (page 90). The Type IV magazine release is marked “M” which is consistent with other manufacturers (pages 98 & 100). The rotating safety is marked “M inside a C” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (pages 97 & 184). The inside of the operating slide is marked “HS” which is a High Standard mark (not listed on page 65). The bottom is marked “7161843 / 28627”. The bolt is marked “.U.” under the left lug which is an Underwood mark (page 36). The front sight is marked “S.A.” which is a Springfield post WWII rebuild mark (page 56 & 184). The rear sight is marked “I.R.CO. / 7160060” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (pages 29 & 185). The Type III barrel band is marked “Q” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 59 & 185). The main body of the stock is unmarked (page 108-109). The inside of the handguard is marked “OI” which is an Inland mark (page 138).

Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is an adjustable Type III aperture assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a pistol grip, Type III barrel band with sling loop & bayonet lug, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows scrapes and small scratches as well as pin prick surface erosion on the edges. The wood shows several scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Some have damaged small portions of surface wood. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and rifling is deep. The grooves near the muzzle are light grey. There is fouling and intermittent light erosion in the grooves near the muzzle. The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The trigger group has been cleaned with media blast and refinished. The metal shows scrapes, scratches, and thinning on the leading edges of the metal. The barrel shows discoloration from oxidation. The right side of the receiver and bolt show thinning consistent with cycling. The screw heads show use. Most of the markings are deep. The barrel markings are faded. Overall, this rifle rates 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: There is no magazine. The rifle comes with a green canvas sling. Both metal tabs are marked “MRT 9-62”. The sling shows light soiling & light discoloration on the canvas as well as light scrapes on the metal. It is in about Very Good Plus condition.

Our Assessment: This M1 Carbine was made back in 1943 by the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). After WWII it served for a U.S. friendly country and was eventually imported back into the U.S. for sales to the civilian market. It has been rebuilt using a mix of USGI parts including a Springfield Armory barrel and a High Standard operating slide. We usually don’t see these post WWII parts on M1 Carbines. This IBM M1 will add to your Military or WWII collection and should be a ton of fun to shoot. Good luck.