WWII Inland Division General Motors M1A1 M1 A1 Carbine Paratrooper C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,925.00
LSB#: LSB260219HJ019
Make: Inland Division of General Motors
Model: M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine
Serial Number: 3076301
Year of Manufacture: Receiver between September 1943-January 1944, there is no barrel date.
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. 3076301”. The bottom is marked with a “J”.
The front sight is marked but it is illegible.
The barrel is marked “SAGINAW S.G. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS”. There is a “P” about mid length on the barrel.
The barrel band is marked “KI” for Keeler Brass Co. Correct for Inland.
The slide is marked “W 7160091” Winchester slide.
The rear sight is marked “I.R.C.O. 7160060”-for International Register CO.
The right side of the trigger group is marked with “INLAND”
The magazine release is marked “E.I.” Eaton Pond Co. for Inland
The safety is un-marked
The left side of the hammer is marked “I-I” for International Silver CO. correct for Inland Div.
The sear is marked “RI”. REECE Buttonhole Machine Co. for Inland
The upper handguard is marked with a “IO” for Inland Overton
The Inside of the stock is marked “IO” for Inland Overton, “5”, and “4”, the bottom of the grip is marked “RI/3” but the 3 is very faded, The metal butt plate is marked “B257614”, the pie emblem, and “5”. The front of the grip has a “P” acceptance stamp. The left flank has a “3”. All of these markings are correct for an M1A1 Stock.
The 15 round magazine is marked “I-I” for International Silver CO.
The two 30 round magazines are marked “M2” and “NVS”.
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 appears to be a real M1A1 paratrooper low wood stock with a two rivet handguard, pistol grip, folding stock, parkerized steel rivets, checkered cast butt plate, type three barrel band with bayonet lug, 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 shows scattered compressions and marks throughout. The stock has cracked in several places. The right flank cracked and has now been repaired. The rear of the stock shows a crack behind the hinge. The right flank just in front of the hinge shows a crack forming. The nose shows several chips missing with cracks forming from the chips. The left flank shows the signature mark from the stock. The leather cheekpiece is missing. The stock folds correctly and the butt plate spring is strong. The metal portions have turned brown with age. Overall the stock is in about Fair condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: this rifle includes one x 15 round magazines and 2 x 30 round magazines that have been stuck together. The 15 round magazine is in Very Good condition. The two 30 round magazines show surface rust and sticky followers. These magazines are in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with well defined rifling. There is very minor visible erosion throughout the bore with lines from use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.75/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The barrel shows the majority of the finish loss. The slide, bolt and receiver’s friction surfaces show wear from use. The finish has turned brown from age. The action is very smooth. The rear of the receiver shows some red discoloration on the bevel. The safety shows finish loss. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are mostly clear. The front left side sight wing is slightly bent. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fair+-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 carbine includes a green canvas sling and the three magazines.
Our Assessment: This Inland M1A1 Carbine is built on an Inland receiver manufactured between September 1943 and January 1944 and is currently housed in what appears to be a correct M1A1 paratrooper folding stock. Inland, a division of General Motors, was the producer of the M1A1 configuration, making this receiver range appropriate for a paratrooper-style carbine. The stock itself shows all the proper markings, supporting the likelihood that it is an authentic wartime M1A1 stock rather than a reproduction.
The rifle is fitted with a Saginaw Gear barrel without a visible date, which is the primary feature suggesting the rifle may not be a fully original, as-issued M1A1 configuration. The majority of the remaining components appear correct for Inland production, with the exception of a Winchester-marked slide, again consistent with typical arsenal rebuild practices where parts were intermixed. Overall, this is a very interesting and desirable carbine, combining a likely authentic M1A1 stock with a largely correct Inland parts base, and representing the kind of rebuilt configuration commonly encountered after wartime service. To better understand this m1 carbine please see our high quality photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.