M1A1 Carbine!

Hello all,

I have recently aquired an Inland M1A1 Carbine Paratrooper. Until a few days ago I wasn't familiar with them at all. But I have spent the past few days reading, researching, and enjoying the history of these guns.

I believe the carbine I have aquired to be an original Inland Carbine. The barrel reads Inland MFG. DIV. General Motors 6-44. The reciever also reads Inland MFG. DIV. Serial number
530xxx2. The butt plate reads xx57614. It's kinda hard to read the first couple of digits. The upper handguards only have two rivets and I have read that makes it a WWII gun. IIRC.

I have taken several photos and attached them in a link for your viewing pleasure. I believe i have come to the right place to hopefully learn a little more about my new found treasure! Any info you can share with me is greatly appreciated.

Inland M1A1 Carbine pictures by jmiller556 - Photobucket

Thank you,
Jmiller45

Looks good so far. The stock looks to be real sans the grip. Looks as though it may have been refinished but with the picture you posted it is hard to tell. The cast but plate has a casting number not the same as the serial number.

Charlie-Painter and many others will correct me in a hurry if I'm wrong, but isn't the hand guard a Underwood?
No big deal.
A nice looking find!

Actually, if you want to know what you have, it's time to start tearing it down and noting any and all markings. A simple field strip will get you started.
How far you go is up to you.
The good folks here will help you all the way.

Thanks guys. I'm going to tear it down and fill out the data sheet from The Carbine Club just as soon as I get some free time!

I went to my daughters school tonight for their Verterans Day celebration. It was very nice and it is very neat owning a piece of history like this.

Thank you to all Veterans!

Hand Guard marked P-U would have been used by Underwood. But sure looks like it's been on there a long time. Matches very closely.
Very nice looking carbine...........
Cheers,
Charlie-painter777

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jmiller45

Thanks guys. I'm going to tear it down and fill out the data sheet from The Carbine Club just as soon as I get some free time!

I went to my daughters school tonight for their Verterans Day celebration. It was very nice and it is very neat owning a piece of history like this.

Thank you to all Veterans!

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J,

Do NOT disassemble the bolt unless you have the tool used to reassemble it! :D

The firing pin and extractor are usually marked but I don't think it's critical for what you need to know (for now).

Looks like you got a real find. 5.3 M s/n would be from the 2nd big lot of M1A1's, yours made June 1944, so barrel date works too. Your M1A1 stock should be a low wood, and the wire stock should be solid, not made from tube. Rnd bolt matches, should have "OI" or "AI" on left lug. May have numbers 1,2 or 3 too. Stamped sight is correct for this date.

Handguard is not correct, should be an Inland 2-rivet, shallow groove, marked "OI" or "HI", OR 4-rivet marked "OI" if you want to restore back to correct as-issued. A best color match would be nice.

You should fill out the CC data sheet, as there are some good experts on this site that can help you out.

Thank you very much for the replies. I'm learning a lot.

Very nice! If it were me I wouldn't change a thing. It looks to good to mess with. I had to restore mine, It was a basket case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by manteo97

Your M1A1 stock should be a low wood, and the wire stock should be solid, not made from tube.

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The wire portion of all USGI M1A1 stocks are made from hollow tubing.