WWII International Business Machine Co. IBM M1 Carbine MFD 1943-44 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,350.00
LSB#: WY240913TF027
Make: International Business Machine Corp., IBM
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 3776760
Year of Manufacture: Late 1943 Early 1944, Barrel Date 11-43.
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 / I.B.M. CORP. / 3776760”
The front sight is marked with an “R” for Rock-Ola Music Co.
The barrel is marked with “P” about mid way on the top of the barrel. Just behind the front sight is marked “I.B.M. CORP. 11-43”. With a flaming bomb stamp.
The barrel band is marked “SI” Unknown
The Slide is marked “-U-” for Underwood Elliot Fisher.
The rear sight was marked Shield “H”-Hemphill MFG. Co. The marking is very hard to see.
The Bolt is marked “-U-” for Underwood Elliot Fisher.
The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “6”. The trigger group is marked “W” for Winchester
The magazine release is marked “M”, “SI” for Inland Division.
The hammer is marked “I.K.” and “Q” for Rock-OLA
The Sear is marked “SW-S’G’” for Saginaw Gear
The rotary safety is marked “SS” This is a rebuild marked rotary safety.
The Stock is marked in the sling cut with a very faint “W” for Winchester. The Pommel is stamped with either a “W” or an “M”. The right flank of the stock is marked with a faint ordnance wheel. The left side of the wrist has a faint “-U-” stamp that looks like it is mostly sanded off; this mark usually denotes a private contractor re-build done by Underwood.
The upper handguard is marked “RMC” for Rock-OLA Music Co.
The Lug is marked “DI” for Dayton Mold Co.
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, type 3 barrel band with bayonet lug, two rivet upper handguard, with 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 stock has been heavily sanded and refinished. The stock shows scattered lines, compressions, divots and scratches, as well as the sanding marks. There are no chips or cracks. The handguard shows similar wear to the stock. The metal buttplate has semi-dull checkering, has lost most of its finish around the edges and turned green with age / patina. The top of the buttplate is beginning to show surface rust. Overall the Stock is in about Good+ to Very Good Condition for C&R considering its age.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None
Type of Finish: Parkerized and Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished and Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, with well defined rifling. The grooves and lands show minor lines from use with no visible erosion. According to our gauge the muzzle reads at 1.5. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is wear on the friction surfaces of the receiver, bolt and slide. The trigger group has begun to turn green / brown with age and patina. The edges of the wings on the front sight show finish loss. The left side of the trigger group has a small dent. There are the usual scattered marks and lines. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are mostly clear except for those noted above. Overall this rifle is in about Very Good 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: The M1 Carbine manufactured by IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is one of the more unique and historically significant versions of the iconic World War II-era firearm. The M1 Carbine was developed as a lightweight, easy-to-handle semi-automatic rifle intended for support troops, such as paratroopers, artillery crews, and other personnel who needed a reliable weapon but didn’t require the full firepower of the M1 Garand. IBM, known today as a leading technology company, was one of ten primary contractors selected to produce the M1 Carbine during World War II. The U.S. military’s urgent need for weapons led to the enlistment of various companies outside the traditional arms manufacturing industry, which included IBM. IBM’s manufacturing of the M1 Carbine was notable for its precision and adherence to strict quality control standards. The company’s experience in manufacturing complex machinery and precision instruments translated well into producing firearms, ensuring that IBM-made carbines were reliable and met the military’s rigorous specifications. The M1 Carbine itself is chambered in .30 Carbine and is known for its relatively light recoil, making it easy to shoot accurately. It has an 18-inch barrel and typically weighs 5.2 pounds, making it considerably lighter and more compact than the M1 Garand. The M1 Carbine was praised for its maneuverability and was highly valued by soldiers in various theaters of war.
Today, IBM-manufactured M1 Carbines are sought after by collectors due to their historical significance and the unique story of their production. The fact that a company primarily associated with business machines was involved in manufacturing firearms for the war effort adds an interesting layer to the history of this M1 Carbine. The inclusion of the original IBM barrel, Underwood slide, Underwood primarily known for manufacturing typewriters, the Rock-OLA handguard, front sight and hammer, Rock OLA- known for making Juke Boxes, and the Winchester trigger group and stock adds even more layers to the history of this rifle. In conclusion this IBM-manufactured M1 Carbine is not only a functional piece of military history but also a symbol of American industrial ingenuity and the collective effort that contributed to the Allied victory in World War II. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
