Description

SOLD – This is an excellent example of an early, 1943 dated WWII M1A1 Carbine produced by Inland Manufacturing. This carbine was sent to the Augusta Arsenal after war for typical upgrades. Even though it went through Augusta and has typical post war upgrades, the carbine retains its orginal barrel and the stock and handguard match in color and wear. Inland M1A1 carbines in the first run of production were delivered between October 1942 and October 1943 and were numbered in teh 50,000 to 950,000 range.  This example’s serial number of 959,514 shows it was manufactured at the end of the serial range and matches the barrel manufacture date of 9/43. The carbine is marked on the front receiver “US CARBINE/CAL 30 M1” and on the rear of the receiver under the rear sight it is marked “INLAND DIV” over “959514”. The barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV./GENERAL MOTORS/”7-43”.  The gun retains the original early blued flat bolt. The folding paratrooper stock has the original GI metal folding buttplate with the correct cast in part number of “B257614” with the original folding metal frame and leather cheek piece. The handguard, pistol grip and forend/stock assembly are made of walnut. The handguard is the original, early two rivet. The stock is the original 1943 “high-wood” stock that has been cut to “low wood” as were all reworks.  The left side of the stock shows the Augusta Arsenal rework stamp, A.A.I.  The handguard and stock are correctly marked I/O for Inland. The pistol grip is either a correct walnut replacement or the original refinished. It displays the correct arsenal rework block “P” firing proof mark on the inside of the grip. It is not marked on the bottom with the crossed cannon cartouche but this is correct for an arsenal rework.  The rear flip sight has been replaced with a post war adjustable sight and the front barrel band has been replaced with the later, type 3 integral bayonet lug band. The carbine retains its original push button safety. The magazine catch was upgraded at some time to the later “M” stamped variation of mid 1944. The parkerized finish is in excellent condtion. Comes with an original blued Inland (IA) marked magazine.

The M1A1 Carbine is one of the rarest of US martial arms. And the most copied and faked. Only 140,000 were manufactured and most saw heavy use in WW2, Korea and even Vietnam. Many were sold to foreign countries. Almost none survive today in unaltered condition and those rare examples are now commanding prices in the $6000-7500 range. If you can find one. This 1943 manufactured Inland M1A1 certainly saw service in WW2 and retains most of its original configuration. Although the arsenal reworks are a bit easier to find they are still rare in this conditon.  A great opportuity to obtain a historic WW2 classic. FFL or C&R Required.