Something Wonderful My Way Cometh....

[USGI]

Bob, I am sure you are right that it was the wrong barrel. My reasoning, though, is that possibly, as batches of newly made, dated barrels came in to the assembly room, they are put in a bin on top of what is left of the last batch. Then put on a receiver. Older ones could be covered up, then eventually end up at the top of the pile months later, and finally put on a receiver.

Thanks! I guess the reason I wasn't "going along" with that idea is that I've not seen much evidence of that with Inlands that I've owned, or in data from Carbine related websites. I have most of the books, but even those are 10 or more years old now - I never did have the CC Club newsletters, though. Dan Pinto (and Bill Moore ) wrote a good article in 2019 on some Inland "oddities" that's available over on the CC Club Forum.

Inland Mis-stamped Serial Numbers - The Carbine Collector's Club

I've always had the idea that Inland was turning out Carbines at such a rate in those days that barrels were being used nearly as fast as they were being produced. I sure wish I had started this hobby when I was young enough to remember more details! That carbine looks really nice - just noticed what appears to be a Type 5 slide on it, too. Now, I can't wait for more pictures. - Bob