1944 Inland M1A1 Carbine.

[mrclark303]

On a related note, I am putting the finishing touches to a post War NOS unissued or marked Birchwood M2 stock.

Woodwork very lightly sanded, coloured and oiled and looking better every day as the oil slowly darkens the finish.

It will be for a change of clothes for the Inland occasionally.

I've got everything bar the front band spring, anyone have a spare they would like to part with!

Failing that, anyone know of suppliers in Europe, or that ship to Europe?

Cheers John.

[Bruce McAskill]

Quite a few parts for carbines and for M1A1's are available in France. Look on Ebay for parts over there.

[Charlie303]

I've got everything bar the front band spring

I'm probably getting mixed up here John, but are you talking about the barrel band (yours being the later T4 barrel band - or 'Type 3') that holds the stock and handguard? If so (and you will already know this!) it stays on the barrel, can't be removed without disturbing the front sight. It should be OK with your M2 woodwork. But as I said, I'm probably getting my terms mixed and talking a load of ****!

Edit...
Ha, as soon as I posted I realised that you are referring to the spring steel pin and catch that goes through the stock and holds the 'barrel band'. If so I'm surprised the stock didn't come with it, they usually do IIRC, but it's been a while. A solution may be to see if you can find a really old crappy stock that has one. The shame is I had one! A tatty M2 stock I bought at Beltring years ago and sold at a car-boot for a fiver 'cos I thought 'I'll never use that old stock'. I've kicked myself more than once - never throw anything away! (despite what my wife might say). Sorry!

[mrclark303]

You've got it Charlie, it's the spring for the band.

There are a few on eBay, France, Norway and Italy...

Last piece of the puzzle mate...

---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:53 PM ----------

Though now you have me thinking about acquiring the early production parts...!

I'm getting bitten by the carbine bug...

[Charlie303]

Though now you have me thinking about acquiring the early production parts...!

I did wonder about that John, especially as you have that very nice M1A1 stock and the 1944 Inland M1. But you're looking at a quite a few parts; flip rear sight, early 'push button' safety (I think it can be directly replace the later rotary one), 2-rivet handguard, Type 1 or 2 barrel band - tricky to replace as the front sight has to come off. And without wishing to dampen your enthusiasm, we're on the wrong side of the Atlantic to find these parts easily, and they aren't cheap!

What you have is a very nice looking late war M1A1. To quote from Canfield; 'M1A1 carbines procured under the "second run" began to be manufactured in April of 1944 with the first deliveries in May. The weapons continued to be produced through Deecmeber 1944. These M1A1 carbines will have features consistent with mid- to late 1944 Inland carbines such as low wood stocks, adjustable rear sights (in most cases) and "T4" barrel bands late in the production run'

So maybe you need a M4 bayonet!

Let's get it shooting and... some high res pics for us to drool over!

[mrclark303]

Re the M2 stock Charlie, it's an unused and unissued Birch example, missing the spring catch.

[painter777]

This seller in Italy has some parts.
Including the Band Spring you need......
Also 3 or 4 M1A1 Stocks to give you an idea of what your wood can sell for.

M1 CARBINE, FRONT BAND SPRING-Spring Band or Front Spring (CD. 141b) | eBay

[mrclark303]

This seller in Italy has some parts.
Including the Band Spring you need......
Also 3 or 4 M1A1 Stocks to give you an idea of what your wood can sell for.

M1 CARBINE, FRONT BAND SPRING-Spring Band or Front Spring (CD. 141b) | eBay

Cheers Charlie, I'll take a proper look when I get to my office, I'm on my phone at the moment and the stocks don't show, only stock parts.

[mrclark303]

I did wonder about that John, especially as you have that very nice M1A1 stock and the 1944 Inland M1. But you're looking at a quite a few parts; flip rear sight, early 'push button' safety (I think it can be directly replace the later rotary one), 2-rivet handguard, Type 1 or 2 barrel band - tricky to replace as the front sight has to come off. And without wishing to dampen your enthusiasm, we're on the wrong side of the Atlantic to find these parts easily, and they aren't cheap!

What you have is a very nice looking late war M1A1. To quote from Canfield; 'M1A1 carbines procured under the "second run" began to be manufactured in April of 1944 with the first deliveries in May. The weapons continued to be produced through Deecmeber 1944. These M1A1 carbines will have features consistent with mid- to late 1944 Inland carbines such as low wood stocks, adjustable rear sights (in most cases) and "T4" barrel bands late in the production run'

So maybe you need a M4 bayonet!

Let's get it shooting and... some high res pics for us to drool over!

M4 bayonet you say ... It's on the list Charlie, as a dyed in wool Milsurps collector, I make a point of not buying anything I can't fit a bayonet on!

The exception being my wifes .22LR BSA International target rifle...

Just retrieved from 20 years in storage, beautifully made, not a single pressed or cast component on it, precision machined, hand fitted and finished to the highest standards of the once mighty British gun trade...

The things a Lazer, absolutely accurate and capable of perfect scores all day long in the right hands...

I'm struggling to find the love to be perfectly honest, it sticks out like a bull dogs swinging parts in my gun room!

[mrclark303]

I saw this and nearly fell off my office chair!

M1 parachutists-Football Folding Para Carbine Folding Stock-ww2 (4) CD. | eBay

How much!