Late Uncles Inland M1 Carbine. Still teaching my boys.

[KneverKnew]

My late Uncle, who served in WW2, purchased this Inland M1 Carbine directly from the Government, pre CMP, for approximately $34. His son was went with him to take delivery of the M1 at the train depot. Cuz was 10 at the time. Fast forward to 2016 and cuz lends me the carbine so my then 10 year old No. 3 son could learn to shoot. Now we are in 2023 and my No. 4 son is 8 YO and once again he is learning to shoot with the same M1 carbine. I am sharing pictures here in hopes someone can clue me in on what the worth of this old family heirloom might be, not that it would ever get sold.
Best I can tell, it’s all original. Let me know if more photos are needed.
Would changing original springs out for general shooting be a good idea?

[Singer B]

Really nice rifle!!! It is not all original since it appears to have the post-war refurbishments installed. It is in terrific shape and in California that is easily $1,500. Of course, it sounds like the sentimental value is off the scale for you and your family so I have a feeling your grandkids are going to learn to shoot with that rifle!

[KneverKnew]

Thanks! Yes this rifle will be in the family for a long time hence. Still shoots great.

So please educate me. What would be the post war enhancements you mentioned?
And should I get new springs for shooting?

[KneverKnew]

Another question. I also have maybe a dozen original 15 round magazines that are heavily rusted. Any good way to remove the rust without damaging any remaining finish?
I have a couple gallons of Evaporust. Would that be an option or would it remove the bluing?

[ssgross]

Any good way to remove the rust without damaging any remaining finish?

no to the evaporust idea. that will remove all the finish.
boil them in plan old water, for 30 min. to an hour, depending on how deep the rust is. Take em out of the pot, let dry, then take some clean 0000 steel wool and rub off any excess black or red dust. If there is still active rust, boil again. Boiling converts the red oxide to black oxide, which is what bluing is. Watch some videos on slow rust bluing, or watch Mark Novak's Anvil channel to see it in action. When you are done, soak in kerosene or motor oil with no detergents.

[W5USMC]

If the carbine shoots and functions as it should then leave the springs alone.
As far as the upgrades Singer B mentioned. 1st off your stock has a Rock Island Arsenal rebuild stamp which indicates a post war rebuild. It has an Underwood barrel, Inland used Inland barrels. It originally would have had a push safety and a type 2 barrel band, you have a flip safety and a type 3 barrel band.
I am assuming that your serial is 5171??? and not 5171??.

[KneverKnew]

If the carbine shoots and functions as it should then leave the springs alone.
As far as the upgrades Singer B mentioned. 1st off your stock has a Rock Island Arsenal rebuild stamp which indicates a post war rebuild. It has an Underwood barrel, Inland used Inland barrels. It originally would have had a push safety and a type 2 barrel band, you have a flip safety and a type 3 barrel band.
I am assuming that your serial is 5171??? and not 5171??.

Yes. 5171???
I do appreciate all the valuable information.

I have a number of LC stamped FMJ ammo with various dates. Some are 67 and 51 dated. Do I need to worry about any being corrosive? I read some where all US Carbine ammo is non corrosive.

---------- Post added at 03:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:37 PM ----------

I can't find that Oiler in any of my books. USGI or Import part ??

LOL. That’s an experimental pine sap oiler, or so my cousin says?. How hard would it be to acquire a correct original boiler for that rear sling slot?

---------- Post added at 03:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:44 PM ----------

Wayne, I never was much for naps except in school. I've been busy (between rains) trying to get ready for Winter. Rule of thumb: Ready for Winter by Halloween and ready for Spring by April Fools day.

OP's oiler looks like Southern Hard Pine to me from what little I can see. Think that Carbine could have been a DCM or NRA release?
One of my early carbines came with a cut off piece of brass colored curtain rod for a oiler. I hadn't noticed yet but Marcus seen it right away and gave me crap about it. I should have saved and Auctioned as 'Experimental' Sling Holding Device. It looked like it was from a old rod Also might have worked as a Trigger spring tool.

I sure wished my cousin still had the original paperwork for the rifle. He says he believes it may have accidentally gone into a burn barrel one day when he was cleaning out his shop. Now that’s a shame. I’ve only got his word-of-mouth testimony about its origins. Was DCM active in 68? That’s when my uncle purchased the gun along with a Peruvian small ring Mauser and 3006. My cousin let that get corroded from corrosive ammo one time and hasn’t cleaned it. It’s really sad. I may still get it from him and try and clean it up best I can .

[W5USMC]

I have a number of LC stamped FMJ ammo with various dates. Some are 67 and 51 dated. Do I need to worry about any being corrosive? I read some where all US Carbine ammo is non corrosive.

Your ammo is fine, shoot away! You are correct no USGI carbine ammo was corrosive. There is, however, some Chinese made ammo head stamped LC 52 that is corrosive and usually comes in a box marked 7.62MM LC.

[KneverKnew]

Look what my cousin found in another shed. Approximately 800+ rounds. Anyone know the origins of this ammo? Labels look French. Corrosive? Safe?
The green boxes are apparently commercial reloads. Warning says not for use in cast receivers. Is that the case with these USGI carbines?
Looks like ones on stripper clips from green bandoleer say LC 52. Possibly the Chinese? How would I tell?

[browningautorifle]

Looks like ones on stripper clips from green bandoleer say LC 52. Possibly the Chinese?

The Chinese ammo is brand new, those are WW2 surplus Twin Cities. Chinese is Lake City. As for the French, remember they used M1A1 carbines for years so they had the ammo made (1950).