WWII Inland Division General Motors M1 A1 M1A1 Carbine Paratrooper 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4,375.00
LSB#: LSB260625WM083
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine
Serial Number: 6369814
Year of Manufacture: Receiver between November 1944 and January 1945. Barrel Date 11-1944
Caliber: .30 Cal Carbine
Action Type: Semi-Automatic carbine fed by detachable magazines.
Markings:
Receiver: “U.S. CARBINE CAL. 30 M1 / INLAND DIV. 6369814”.
Front Sight: “N”
Barrel: “INLAND MFG. DIV. GENERAL MOTORS 11-44 P” The barrel flat has the usual Inland hieroglyphics.
Barrel Band: “KI” Keeler Brass
Slide: “PI” on the inside, “7160001”. Packard Inland
Bolt: “IO 1” Inland
Rear Sight: “I.R.C.O.” International Register Co.
Trigger Group: “INLAND”
Mag Catch: “M HI” H&R Machine Co.
Hammer: “W-I” Wadsworth Watch Case
Handguard: “IO” Inland Overton
Magazine: “K-SG” Keeler Brass for Saginaw gear
Stock: Inside the stock “IO” Inland Overton. The right side of the grip has the ordnance wheel. The bottom of the grip “RI 3”. The butt plate “B257614” the pie emblem and “12”. This appears to be a real paratrooper stock.
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 knurled windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a M1 A1 paratrooper low wood stock with a four rivet handguard, “Slim Jim” style pistol grip, folding stock with leather cheek piece, parkerized steel rivets, checkered cast butt plate, type three barrel band, and a cross bolt safety. The LOP measures about 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The wood has been sanded and refinished. The wood shows the signature rub mark from the butt plate on the left flank. The stock and handguard also show compressions in that location. The wood also shows some scattered minor marks and a small nick in the wood on the rear right edge. The river holes show small chips in the edges. The wireframe and metal pieces show some very minor rust freckling forming. The stock functions correctly. Overall the stock is in Very Good+-Excellent condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This carbine includes one 15 round magazine in Very Good+ condition showing some minor surface rust freckling in the bluing.
Type of Finish: Parkerized, and Blued.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with very well defined rifling. There is no pitting or erosion. The bore is very clean. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel shows some surface rust freckling at the muzzle and front sight. The bolt and receiver show wear on the friction surfaces and the bolt has lost finish. The rest of the rifle shows surprisingly little wear. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good+-Excellent 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 a green canvas sling and magazine.
Our Assessment: This Inland Division M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine falls within the November 1944 to January 1945 receiver production range and is fitted with an Inland barrel dated 11-1944. The defining feature of the M1A1 is its specialized folding stock, developed for airborne troops who needed a carbine that could be carried more compactly during jumps and while operating in confined spaces. This example retains the correct low-wood, four-rivet paratrooper stock, complete with the appropriate markings and steel rivets, giving it the proper appearance and construction of an original wartime M1A1 stock rather than a later reproduction. The carbine is also in the correct serial number range and retains the appropriate components throughout. Of particular interest are the Type III barrel band, hammer, and magazine catch. Although these parts are less frequently encountered on M1A1 carbines, they are period-correct components and do not detract from the rifle’s authenticity.
The overall condition is particularly noteworthy. The bore is exceptionally bright and clean, with sharply defined rifling and no visible pitting or erosion, earning a 9.5/10 rating in this writer’s opinion. The strong bore is complemented by the carbine’s overall Very Good+ to Excellent condition, while the survival of the correct folding-stock assembly and period components gives it considerably more collector interest than an ordinary Inland carbine. Taken as a whole, this is a very well-preserved M1A1 that presents with the correct configuration, appropriate wartime parts, and an unusually strong bore, making it an excellent example of one of the most recognizable specialized variants of the M1 Carbine. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.