US WWII Inland Division General Motors M-1 Carbine .30 Cal Rifle 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,080
WOA#: WY240315FS011
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M-1 Carbine
Serial Number: 6745627
Year of Manufacture: The serial number dates this carbine to ca. January 1945.
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. / 6745627”.
The magazine release is marked “M”.
The right side of the rear sight is marked with the Shield “LRCO”.
The trigger group is unmarked.
The left side of the hammer is marked “IH”.
The slide is marked “7161843 / 96567”.
The barrel band assembly is double stamped “AI”.
The top of the barrel is marked “P” just in front of the gas block, and in front of the barrel band. The top of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS” just behind the front sight. The bottom of the barrel on the flat is stamped with a multitude of proofs.
The front sight is marked “RIA”.
The upper handguard is stamped “LW” on the inside.
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade with protective ears. The rear sight is a sliding adjustable aperture sight dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a Type III low-wood with a 4-rivet upper handguard with a narrow groove, Type III barrel band with bayonet lug, and a checkered metal buttplate. The safety lever is a later switch instead of the earlier crossbolt safety. The slide is a Type VI. The LOP measures about 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock and handguard have small scrapes, scuffs, and compression marks throughout. There is a small chip out of the handguard on the right side just above the charging handle. There is a small depression mark in the bottom of the butt. The metal buttplate has retained most of its finish and the checkering is well defined. Overall, the stock and handguard rate in about Very Good condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This carbine includes one original US WW2 blued 15 round magazine marked “U” at the lower back spine, denoting manufacture by Union Hardware.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, with defined rifling, and no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This carbine retains about 85% of the original finish. There is some wear from use on the friction surfaces of the action. The bolt has some finish loss on the friction surfaces. Overall, this carbine is in Very Good to Excellent condition considering its age for C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this carbine. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This carbine includes the magazine mentioned above.
Our Assessment: Early in WW2, the US military recognized the need for a lightweight rifle that would bridge the gap between the heavy M-1 Garand and the standard issue sidearm, the M1911A1 pistol. The goal was to provide troops with a compact, easy-to-handle shoulder arm that offered more firepower than a pistol but was lighter and more maneuverable than a full-size battle 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 M-1 Carbine. The rifle was designed by a team led by firearms designer David “Carbine” Williams, who drew inspiration from the successful Garand and the short-recoil action of the Thompson Submachine Gun. The M-1 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 round used in the Garand, offered greater capacity and reduced recoil, making it more controllable and well-suited for short to medium-range engagements. The M-1 Carbine saw widespread use in World War II in the hands of US infantry, paratroopers, Marines, and support personnel, and was loved by the troops for its ease of use, compact design, and reliability. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding! -R.L.
