WWII Inland Division GM M1 Carbine w/ RARE Barrel and LGKST Mark 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,080.00

LSB#: WY240714LP142

Make: Inland Division of General Motors

Model:  M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 4970635

Year of Manufacture: Receiver early 1944, Barrel Date 1-44.

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. 4970635”

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 1-44”.

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 “WI”.

The barrel band is marked “MMQ”

The slide is marked with an underlined “PI” for Packard Inland

The front sight is marked “SI  U” an Underwood part.

The rear sight is marked Shield “H”-Hemphill MFG. Co.

The trigger group is marked “-U-” in the magazine well for Underwood. This trigger group has a Flaming Bomb stamp. In front of the Trigger guard is marked “LGKST 1846” This denotes this was a Austrian Steiermark rifle re-imported by the CMP. LGKST stands for Landes Gendarmerie Kommando Steiermark.

The magazine release is marked “M”

The hammer is marked “HI” for Hillerich Machine Company.

The Rotary safety is marked “CM” a post war rebuild part.

The sear is marked “SW-SG” a Saginaw Gear

The stock is marked “SJ” in the sling cut for Jamestown Lounge Co. produced for Standard Products. The right flank has a very faint ordnance wheel.

The upper handguard is marked “TN” for Trimble Nursery the subcontractor for stocks for National Postage Meter and Underwood.

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 two 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 fairly heavy lines, dents, scratches and compressions. There is a large repair patch on the right side about center line with the receiver. The nose is mostly clean with several small chips. There is a one inch gouge in the left flank above the trigger. Three are several chips missing where the buttplate meets the wood. There are no visible cracks. The metal butt plate has semi-dulled checkering, has lost most of its finish, and shows scratches throughout with patina and surface rust beginning to form. 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 Fair+ condition for C&R.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with visible rifling. There is no visible erosion. There are lines in the bore from use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its original metal finish. All of the metal surfaces have turned Green and Brown with patina from age. The muzzle shows finish loss on the leading edges. The right wing of the front sight has some scratches.  The barrel and band show minor wear with the discoloration being the only real issue. The receiver group likewise shows very little wear with the majority being on the friction surfaces. The screwheads are sharp and the markings are mostly clear. Overall this rifle is in about Good + to Very Good condition for C&R and having traveled so much.

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 M1 carbine produced in 1944 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. This rifle also includes a semi rare Underwood trigger housing. The markings on the trigger housing also indicate this rifle was given to the Austrians to serve in the state of Steiermark before being re-imported by the CMP. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos Via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.