WWII Inland Division General Motors M1 Carbine w/ RARE Barrel 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,026.00
LSB#: WY240601RN011
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 2937810
Year of Manufacture: Receiver Late 1943, Barrel Date 10-43.
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. 2937810”
The magazine release is marked “M”
The rear sight is marked “I.R.C.O.”-for International Register CO.
The Lug is unmarked
The stock is marked with a faint ordnance wheel on the right side and “IO” in the sling cut for S.E. OVERTON CO. Correct for Inland. The stock is also marked with “1009787” on the left near the buttplate.
The upper handguard is stamped “H.I.” for Hillerich & Bradsbury makers of the Louisville Slugger baseball bats. Correct for Inland.
The trigger group is marked “INLAND”
The hammer is marked “WA” for Winchester
The rotary safety is marked “N.”
The slide is marked “V”
The sear is marked “SG-B” an International Business Machine part
The Bottom of the barrel has no markings, The top of the barrel is marked “P” about 5 inches back from the front sight and another in front of the gas block, the end of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. GENERAL MOTORS 10-43”.
The barrel flat is marked “BI”: This barrel is produced by BROWN-LIPE-CHAPLIN division of G.M.C.. During 1943 B.I. produced 90,000 extra barrels for use on carbines. These barrels are considered to be the finest of the “FREE ISSUE” barrels sent out to prime contractors that did not produce their own barrels. The gas block is marked with several proofs.
The front sight is unmarked
The barrel band is marked with an “AI” for AUTOYRE-INLAND
The magazine is marked “UN” a National Postal Meter Magazine.
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 an Oval cut, low wood stock, with a four rivet handguard, type three barrel band with bayonet lug, a later style 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 stock shows minimal scratches, lines, compressions and nicks. The nose is fairly clean with no chips. The forward part of the forend has four medium sized dents in it. There are no visible cracks. The metal butt plate has semi-dulled checkering, has lost most of its finish, and shows pitting throughout. The upper handguard shows dings, and scrapes with several small chips around the rivet holes. There are no visible cracks. Overall the wood is in Very Good condition for C&R.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one 15 round magazine. The magazine shows finish loss and some patches of surface rust freckling in the bluing. Overall the magazine is in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized / Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with well defined rifling. There is no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The bolt and friction surfaces of the receiver show the majority of wear with the bolt missing almost all of its finish. The barrel band shows minimal wear, retains most of its finish and has some surface rust by the screw. Most of the metal surfaces have turned green/brown with patina and age. The barrel has some rub wear from the barrel band. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine to Very 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: This rifle includes the magazine.
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 M1 carbine produced in 1943 is unique in that it has a barrel made by BROWN-LIPE-CHAPLIN. This division of G.M.C. only produced 90,000 barrels. Relatively low numbers compared to the millions of M1 carbines that were produced. The rifle also has almost all correct for Inland parts. On a personal note I always love seeing Hillerich & Bradsbury, makers of the Louisville Slugger baseball bats, wood on an M1. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos Via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
