WWII Inland Division General Motors M1 Carbine Semi Auto Rifle 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,302.00
LSB#: LSB250527JB005
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 5519661
Year of Manufacture: 1944, barrel date 9-44
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. 5519661”.
The magazine release is marked “M”
The rear sight is marked Shield “H”-Hemphill MFG. Co.
The Lug is unmarked
The stock is marked “A 3” on the pommel. The right flank on the stock has a “WRA GHD” stamp for Winchester Repeating Arms Guy H. Drewry, and a “RIA EB” stamp for Rock Island Armory. Both stamps are very faint.
The upper handguard is marked “IO” for Inland Overton.
The trigger group is marked “W” for Winchester
The hammer is marked “W” for Winchester
The Rotary safety is marked “J.A.O.” for J.A. Otterbein.
The slide is marked “7160091 C” and “PI” on the inside. For Packard Inland.
The bottom of the barrel on the flat is stamped with the typical Inland Hieroglyphic series of letters and numbers, The top of the barrel is marked “P” about 3” back from the front sight. The end of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 9-44”. The gas block is marked “I-I”.
The front sight is marked “N” correct for Inland.
The barrel band is marked “JM” a post war rebuild part.
The sear is unmarked.
The magazine is unmarked.
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, a rotary safety and a checkered metal buttplate. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The wood has been sanded smooth and refinished. As a result the wood shows only minor lines and compressions with a small patch of lines on the right rear side of the stock in between the sling cut and the buttplate. The edges show a few small chips with one notable one on the right edge of the lug. The replacement buttplate retains most of its finish, has sharp checkering, and shows some surface rust developing on the edges. Overall the stock is in Very Good condition as refinished.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: The rifle includes one 5 round magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with defined rifling. There is no visible erosion. There is some very minor pitting on the edges of the lands and in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.25/10.
Overall Condition: The rifle retains 98% of its metal finish. The finish on the rifle shows scattered surface rust freckling throughout. The friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver show some minor rub wear. The trigger guard shows some discoloration from oil and age. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Good to 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 rifle includes the magazine.
Our Assessment: This Inland Division M1 Carbine, made in 1944, represents the high point of U.S. small arms production during World War II. Inland, a division of General Motors, was the largest producer of M1 Carbines during the war. This particular rifle is fitted with an Inland-marked barrel dated 9-44, which aligns with the receiver’s production timeframe. Inland barrels were known for their solid quality, and by late 1944 the production process had become highly refined to meet the massive demand from U.S. and Allied forces.
The stock tells a deeper story. It bears the “WRA GHD” stamp, an unusual pairing, as WRA refers to Winchester Repeating Arms, and GHD refers to Brigadier General Guy H. Drewry, the Army’s Chief of Ordnance inspection. His initials appear on a wide range of U.S. small arms from the war. The second stamp, “RIA EB,” signifies that the stock, or the rifle itself, was later inspected or rebuilt at Rock Island Arsenal. This rifle likely went through a postwar refurbishment, a common practice as the Army worked to maintain serviceable carbines for occupation duty, reserve units, or later conflicts such as Korea. The M1 Carbine, originally designed by David “Carbine” Williams, was light, fast-handling, and perfect for support troops, paratroopers, and officers, bridging the gap between a pistol and a full-sized rifle. Its modularity and interchangeability helped keep rifles like this one in service long after WWII ended. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
