Inland Flip Sight

[CJS57]

I need to get an original flip sight to restore my otherwise original 541,000 range carbine. Just trying to get a general idea of cost? A search of this forum shows prices in the $125 range? The other question is the handguard on this Inland which is a Rockola. The barrel is dated 5-8-43 so that looks like the correct date range when Inland had 10,000 handguards integrated to them from Rockola per Riesch. This carbine came in to the gunshop at a stupidly cheap price and was dirty inside, 50 years dusty outside and dry as a bone, came with a box of 1944 WRA ammo. I am lucky to have been there to purchase it.

Information

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[PBI]

A real Inland flip site for your rifle will range from $125 to $150 dollars. The handguard should be a two rivet shallow groove marked IO. A nice handguard will run around $35 to $50 dollars. Hope this helps

[Wulf]

At what point in production did they switch from deep groove to shallow groove?

[PBI]

Not looking at my info, but I think it was around April and May of 1943.

[CJS57]

The handguard has an 11/16" groove at the widest point, I believe it is the earliest variation with 2 rivets of course. In his book "War Baby" on page 357, Riesch says that Rockola sent 10,000 handguards to Inland on 10/6/43. So 10,000 Inland carbines got assembled with Rockola handguards like mine! I believe this carbine got one of those handguards at the Inland factory. Any one have additional info on this?

[Bruce McAskill]

10-06-43 Inland received 10,084 stocks and hand guards from Rock-Ola These would be too late to have been used on your carbine as your serial number dates to about July 1943.

[CJS57]

Where can I find the actual production dates of Carbines per serial number? Anyone know? Is it possible this gun's receiver was held up for rework on some machining descrepancy and so was assembled a few months later on after rework? I know this senerio definitely happened at Colt on 1911-A1's.
It is really easy for me to get an Inland handguard! So that is not the problem. I really don't want to change anything on a gun that just may have come that way from Inland.

[Tired Retired]

CJS,

The detailed records you are hoping for do not exist. Some of Winchester's original records covering their early carbine production years surfaced a few years ago, but none of the other manufacturers' records have been found. The Carbine Club research is probably the closest you are going to come - join for $23 dollars (No, I am not a member).

And so you will know... if Bruce and PBI are providing you info, its accurate. The reference location is years of experience and tons of personal research on their shelves.

I am actually trying to talk my way into Bruce's Final Will and Testiment to get all his carbine notes, but he has a silly idea of actually leaving them to someone who is really worthy.... Imagine that, me not worthy...

[painter777]

But Bruce,
His barrel; is dated 8-43.......... ?
Could be a close call.
Like the Detroit tigers pitcher getting ripped off from a perfect game.
I'm guessing very possible it was built a bit late per the serial number.
Should hang on to the HG any way.
Feel free to share more pics !!

Cheers,
Charlie-painter777

[stickhauler]

And lotsa luck getting the production records from Inland, since they don't exist anymore, morphed into Delhi and they're gone now too. It breaks my heart to see the history of my adopted home thrown away.

It's really too bad NCR didn't produce carbines. Their archive was donated to our historical society a few years ago, so we know where all the cash registers went to originally.