Yet another inheritied M1 Carbine

[ChicagoRob]

Hello All.

I'm a first time poster and new rifle collecting.

I've inherited my FIL's M1 carbine and M1903A3 Springfield. They are basket cases. Literally. My wife brought them home in a laundry basket. They were disassembled and sticking up from the top of the basket.

It seems that the FIL took them apart and varnished the stocks. I wish that he hadn't done that, but it is what it is. The removable pieces are now all gone.

On the carbine, the upper band is there, but no swivel or screw. Also, no buttplate, recoil plate, clip or oiler.

I need some help figuring out what pieces I should get. Here's what I know about the rifle:

The front of the reciever is marked:

U.S. Carbine
CAL. 30 MI

The rear of the reciever (by the recoil plate) is marked:

INLAND DIV.
380986

The end of the barrel is marked:

INLAND MFG. DIV.
GENERAL MOTORS
4-43


The stock has three stamps on it. An "IO" (or "10") in the sling well, a capital "P" with a circle around it and a capital K also stamped inside the circle P. (The circle P is much fainter than the K) These are on the bottom on the stock where it flattens out for the hand grip.

I've done a bit of research, but I'm a bit confused. Would someone please explain what Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 means in regards to recoil plates and upper bands?

Also, there seems to be quite a choice of buttplates. Which one is proper?

I'd like to find the correct pieces for it, but I have no idea what to look for.

Thanks and Regards,

Rob

Information

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[frankderrico]

Rob, do you mean ther are no parts except the barrel/receiver and the stock less all metal? The people hear will tell you what you will need but be prepared to spend some money. Can you go to FIL place and search for the parts? Or ask what he did with them? Post pics if you can, I would like to see the stock.....Frank

[ChicagoRob]

Thanks Frank.

There is no hope of finding the parts. Both in laws are now deceased and their house was sold over four years ago. A brother in law originally took the rifles but didn't do anything with them. He's now moving and gave them to my wife and myself. I fear that when the house was sold the parts were simply thrown away.

Here are some pics. What you see is all that I have.

Rob

[frankderrico]

Rob, good news, it looks like it is all ther except the stock metal. That is an easy fix. Just go on E-Bay or put a wanted to by post on the forum for your stock parts. It looks like a very nice 6 digit Inland. You have a nice carbine. I would restore the stock, don't sand it just remove the varnish and then apply BLO. Lets see the other side of the stock by the sling well. The "K" looks like someone carve it in, maybe an initial. Nice carbine.....Frank

[Jim Nasium]

Yep, nice early Inland... Lets see the other side of the stock near the sling slot, and up front where the slide works. Not much needed, and nothing critical or too expensive.

j

[INLAND44]

Yeah, you're in luck - you have a complete carbine there. Not only is it complete, but it looks to be original. I would use a chemical stripper on the stock and apply linseed oil as Frank said. You'll need the special screw for the band - looks like a Type II band if I'm seeing it right. The Type III recoil plate works best. You'll need the screw for that as well. The threaded ferrule for the plate screw is clearly existing in the picture. Then you'll need an Inland butt plate and screw and a band retaining spring that fits in the little hole at the end of it's recess slot in the nose of the stock. The hole on the other side is for pushing the spring back out with a punch. The band slides back over the nose of the stock and the spring indexes the 'D' hole on the band while the band lip retains the hand guard, then the band screw is snugged down to keep the gun together when firing. All that's left then is the oiler which fits in the slot at the rear and retains the sling, but since there's no sling swivel at this time you can't use a sling anyway. Here's an assembled carbine showing the band and spring. Also a complete carbine.

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[ChicagoRob]

This all sounds like great news.

Here are the rest of the pics.

Yeah, I have to redo the finish on the stock. Is there a good thread or FAQ for that?

Also, mind having a close look at the band pictures and type it?

How do you tell Inland buttplates and recoil plates from other ones?

Thanks everybody.

Rob

[frankderrico]

Rob, type one barrel band. Like Inland said you need the srcew and swivel. The one on Inlands is a type two with "D" hole, yours is narrower and fits behind the spring tab. I can't make out the acceptance stamp on the right side by the oiler slot, it could have been sanded out when it was varnished witch is to bad. It is a highwood stock that should be correct for the ser.# How does the rifle look when it is in the stock? I grew up in the Melrose Park/Maywood area, were are you located?.....Frank

[HKGuns]

Chicago Rob,

I highly recommend this forum for finishing questions. Cabinetman can help you with the correct approach for your carbine.

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearm...-cleaning.html

[INLAND44]

Yep, Type I band. This band has a removable swivel which you can probably find along with the screw. Here's a pic of a reproduction one showing how it goes together.

Inland parts including recoil plates are marked with various initials for the subcontractor and Inland. A recoil plate may be marked 'DI' on the inside face, for example, and you usually have to look close for it. Butt plates for Inland mostly are not marked, so you have to go by the pattern of it - there is a web page for comparing all plates and it may be linked on this site. Your bolt for example may be marked 'OI' on the large locking lug. You can also download many of the G.I. manuals for the carbine showing how to do most anything to it. Don't force anything - it will come apart and go back together easily if you know how.
A correct sling for this will be costly, and there's a trick to getting the sling and oiler in the rear slot, but you can look into that after you get your band parts, oiler and sling.
The gas piston under the barrel should be free to move by gravity after the slide is removed or drawn back. Try to avoid unscrewing the nut that retains the piston. If it's 'frozen', firing will usually release it. If the gun doesn't cycle when fired, we can get into what you have to do later.
The carbine should be detail stripped, cleaned, inspected and lubricated before firing anyway.