new guy with serial number placement question

Looking over one of my Inland Carbines I noticed that the serial number was stamped on the front of the receiver, behind the handguard as well as the rear. None of my other Inland Carbines or other maker carbines are marked like this so it was just an oddity for me. I assume some of the guns that received the rebuilds after the war got this treatment since the normal rear serial was blocked by the sight? Does anyone know which arsenal may have done this or whether it was normal practice? I believe this may have been a Raritan Arsenal Rebuild based on stock stamps but could be wrong

Any information is greatly appreciated
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Additional pics with a mix of Inland and PM parts
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---------- Post added at 06:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:26 AM ----------

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Unless one was there to see it stamped there is no way to know who what and where with it. It could have been done at an arsenal or an armory. Your right about it being done because of the rear sight being replaced on older carbines. It was required during rebuild but seldom done.

chaosrob,

Welcome to the Carbine forum. We have an experienced and knowledgeable group here who will comment on just about anything carbine related. Besides asking questions you can use the search feature in the upper right of the page. Finding past threads or posts on different topics that might be interesting reading.

You already know your Inland has been through a rebuild by the mixed parts and later parts added. I have seen a few with the serial number in that location, but can't remember the particulars of how or why. I have seen some imports stamped there, but they also had other parts stamped as well. The usual place to restamp the serial number when blocked by installing an adj rear sight was in front of the dovetail. My reference books and Carbine Club newsletters are still packed from my move. Maybe someone with access to theirs can assist.

There are some good reference books available. Probably most notable the "War Baby" series by Ruth, and for a quick handbook "US M1 Carbines, Wartime Production" by Riesch. If you are not already, you might consider joining the Carbine Club. It's was started in Nov 1976. They put out a newsletter that was originally monthly, now quarterly, with great information about the M1 Carbine. You can also purchase all the past issues dating back to 1976. I just received my latest Jan 2015 which is number 381.
The Carbine Club - A CMP Affiliated Organization

Enjoy the forum and look forward to your participation.

Jim

RE-stamping the number in a visible location made it easier for accounting purposes and made sense...as Bruce says, it wasn't always accomplished.

Thanks all. it just struck me as odd since I hadn't seen it on any others before.

My Std Pro has been restamped in front of rear site. GK

Yes, there was a revision so the serial number could be re-stamped on the front of the sight bridge if the new adjustable sight covered the original one. I don't remember seeing one done that way but obviously they're out there. I think this one was stamped prior to the revision, making it a fairly early sight replacement. Its also possible it was done in the field before the revision was known at that location. Many carbines' serial numbers were not occluded by the new sight which is why the re-stamping is fairly rare.

I believe it was done only on the early rebuilds. I think it was discontinued due to bending of the handguard lip.