Picked up an Inland today...questions a plenty!

Newbie here, both in this forum, and to the M1 Carbine world. Had one back in the 80's, but traded it off like I did everything else back then. Picked this one up today at a local pawn shop. An Inland, barrel date of 2-44. Appears to a newbie's eye to be pretty much correct in most aspects. It is a Springfield Sporters import tho. Small import stamp on underside of barrel. The trigger housing is a rusty plum color. Not sure why unless it wasn't blued correctly & this is how it aged? All other metal looks great. Wood looks to have been stained dark & possibly some kind of shellac applied over that. Pretty sure not original finish? Or is it? Should I strip the finish & use some BLO? Wood has numerous dings & rough spots, but overall pretty solid. Everything locks up good & tight, although the handguard is a little loose fitting. Including a few photos taken when I cleaned it up this evening. What can you tell me about my new toy? Was it worth $500? Been wanting a decent Carbine for ages.Cartouche is there, but a bit weak....maybe the shellac filled it in somewhat? What would you do with the finish on the wood? Handguard is stamped underneath with a Q- followed by some other letters which I forgot to write down. A few other markings are shown in the photos below. So.....whatcha think?

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4/barrel-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../04/cart-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12/04/tg-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../04/band-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../04/side-1.jpg

I certainly like that trigger housing.

Plum colored trigger housings are also seen on early Bavarian returned carbines imported by Century Arms.

Jim, what is it that causes the plumb coloring?

I like that one... More info at The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbines
I would have gone $500 without a second thought.

N frt sight, T2 band, EPB safety, Hi-wood stock, Early trigger housing, Type IIA mag catch (?),
He's all ready made a profit $$.

2-44 barrel, might the serial number be in the 4,8 mil to early 5,0 mil block?
Markings on the gas Cylinder?
Markings in the slingwell? Can see your CC cartouche, just hard to clearly see with the flash.
Is hand guard marke Q-RMC?

Look forward to more pictures.

Thx and Welcome to Surps,
Charlie-painter777

P.S. Didn't Jim M have detailed info about the plum finishes on one of his sites?

I haven't learned enough to identify different types or series of parts, but here are the markings I found this morning, along with some more photos. The wood.....should I get the shellac type coating off & give it some oil? Or leave it as is? Not even considering stripping it, but denatured alcohol works wonders on crappy shellac finishes. Anyway, here are a few markings, then some photos. Also got 2 mags with it. An IA 15 rounder, and an A1 M2 marked 30 rounder.

Handguard does have Q-RMC
AI on bolt lug
WMB on hammer
EPB on safety
Rear sight has a shield with an H in it
Gas block has what looks like P-1

Now for the photos.....

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/und-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/swv-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12/04/sn-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/sgt-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/sft-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12/04/sd-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12/04/rs-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12/04/m1-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/hmr-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/hgq-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12/04/gb-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/gas-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...2/04/blt-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...12/04/a1-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../04/a1m2-1.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger

Jim, what is it that causes the plumb coloring?

---

Bill,
This question has come up every now and then. So as not to get facts wrong, I wrote to Mr. Mock. Here is part of his reply. A note I will put in my files for future reference.
Jim

The plum colored trigger housing were not specific to the Bavarians, there are
plenty of others out there. What causes the plum color is the nickel content of
the trigger housing. When metals were getting hard to come by Ordnance
authorized a change in the alloys that made up the metal of the trigger housing,
including a use of a higher amount of nickel. The nickel alloy required the
temperature of the bluing salts to be elevated to get the desired bluing effect.
Many people were unaware of this and when they blued the trigger housing at the
normal bluing temperatures, it turned copper colored or purple.

Commercial manufacturers using GI trigger housings had this happen (Erma's in
MO, National Ordnance), as well as foreign countries and private U.S. owners.
Still happens today if the person doing the work is unfamiliar with the specs
for bluing a GI trigger housing.

I wonder if this applies to the Stevens / Savage trenchgun bayonet adapters as well ?
Chris