WWII Inland Division General Motors M1 Carbine Semi Auto 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
WOA#: WY240406WM027
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 6880176
Year of Manufacture: January-August 1945, Barrel Date 2-1945.
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. 6880176”
The magazine release is marked “M”.
The rear sight is marked Shield “H”-Hemphill MFG. Co. correct for Inland.
The Lug is unmarked
The stock is marked with an ordnance wheel on the right side and “IO” in the sling cut for S.E. OVERTON CO. Correct for Inland
The trigger group is marked “INLAND”
The left side of the hammer is marked “HI”- for Hemphill MFG. Co. correct for Inland.
The slide is marked “7160091”.- a Winchester Slide.
The Bottom of the barrel has no markings, The barrel flat has many stamps both letters and numbers, The top of the barrel is marked “P” about two inches back from the front sight, the end of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. GENERAL MOTORS 2-45”.
The front sight is stamped with “N”-International Business Machine part
The barrel band is marked “KI” Keeler Brass Co. for Inland used in S/N above 6,000,000
The upper handguard is stamped “H.I.” for Hillerich & Bradsbury makers of the Louisville Slugger baseball bats. Correct for Inland.
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 serrated windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an Oval cut, low wood stock, with a two rivet handguard, type three barrel band with bayonet lug, an early style cross bolt safety and a checkered metal Buttplate. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. This very dark colored wood stock shows light scratches, dings, and compressions scattered throughout the surface of the wood. There are a few small chips in the edges of the sling cut. There are no visible cracks. The metal butt plate has semi-dulled checkering, has lost most of its finish, has turned brown with patina and has started to develop surface rust freckling. The handguard also has some minor scratches and compressions. The handguard has no chips or cracks. Overall the wood rates in about Very Good to Fine condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Parkerized / Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with well defined rifling. There is no visible erosion. There are lines in the bore from use and a very small pit mark about two inches in from the barrel. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The bolt and friction surfaces of the receiver show the majority of wear. The trigger guard, lug and barrel band shows the most patina although there are some small patches of patina scattered throughout. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine condition for C&R.
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: None.
Our Assessment: During the early stages of World War II, the U.S. military recognized the need for a lightweight rifle that would bridge the gap between the heavy and cumbersome M1 Garand rifle and the standard issue sidearm, the M1911 pistol. The goal was to provide troops with a compact and easy-to-handle firearm that offered more firepower than a pistol but was lighter and more maneuverable than a full-size 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 M1 Carbine. The rifle was designed by a team led by firearms designer David Williams, who drew inspiration from the successful M1 Garand and the short-recoil action of the M1 Thompson submachine gun. The M1 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 ammunition used in the M1 Garand, offered greater capacity and reduced recoil, making it more controllable and well-suited for short to medium-range engagements. The M1 Carbine saw widespread use in World War II, becoming a staple firearm for American troops. It was praised for its reliability, ease of use, and versatility. The rifle was not only issued to U.S. forces but also provided to allied nations through various lend-lease programs. After World War II, the M1 Carbine continued to serve in the Korean War and saw limited use in subsequent conflicts. It also became popular among civilian shooters and collectors due to its historical significance and manageable recoil. Overall, the M1 Carbine played a significant role in U.S. military history, offering a lightweight and reliable firearm that filled a niche between pistols and full-size rifles. Its compact design, firepower, and ease of use made it a favored weapon among soldiers in various roles and contributed to its enduring legacy. This Inland M1 has parts from many interesting manufacturers from the WWII era including IBM, Keeler brass, and Hillerich & Bradbury makers of the Louisville Slugger baseball bats. These mixed parts rifles are a testament to the cooperation that is possible when people come together to achieve a common goal. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
