M1 Carbine Inland

[deldriver]

I have a 1943 Inland M-1 (S#338564) that was owned by a WWII Vet from the 82nd airborne; he told me before he died he purchased it just after the war. It appears original (no later addition mix-master parts). The Vet never refinished (i.e. sanded) the stock.

But there are no cartouches anywhere on the stock. Is this normal, or the sign of a later replacement stock? (the stock's sling slot is oval cut and stamped PU in the sling well, low wood cut-out, and two-rivet hand-guard, if this matters)
Thanks, Robert

PU would be Pedersen for Underwood. It sounds like the stock has been changed out on your carbine. The proper Inland stock for that serial number range would most likely be an oval cut highwood. There's an outside chance for it being an I-cut highwood, but that number is just past the point where they were last seen.

[Seaspriter]

To deldriver for your contribution and to all the MilSurps Experts who daily contribute to this website:

I am always amazed with the wealth of information on the MilSurps website. Thank you to all the League of Experts who are willing to share their knowledge with collectors. It reflects the essence of how the M-1 Carbine supply chain shared improved manufacturing techniques and shared parts supplies. When one supplier ran out of parts, other suppliers to their parent OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) made sure the other OEMs keep production lines flowing. The MilSurps experts are continuing that honored collaboration by keeping the supply of knowledge flowing, thus keeping the legacies of our historic weapons alive and well, decades later.

There is an adage/principle that says "Sharing Expands, Hording Contracts." Our knowledge and understanding has been deeply expanded.

There is another corollary principle that states:
"Courage enlarges, cowardice diminishes resources. In dangerous straits, the fears of the timid aggravate the dangers that imperil the brave." (--Bouvee,1820-1904). Many of us understood this in war, but it still prevails in day-to-day life.

Robert (USNR, Vietnam '72 Operation Linebacker)

[RASelkirk]

I've got Inland #69007xx. Low wood, oval cut, has "IO" in the slingwell and nothing else anywhere. Normal?

Russ

[INLAND44]

Wow, that's a late Inland! Love to see some pics. Sounds like you have the right stock. At some point they were allowed to stop putting the Ordnance acceptance mark (crossed cannons) on the stocks. Assuming your receiver ring is marked 'M1' (not M2!), the '1' may be out of line/crooked. These are known as 'hand-stamps' because they were making mostly M2s at that time, so it made sense to leave a few receivers unstamped for the few M1s to be made.

[PhilipSpanky]

Interesting, I have Inland 68891xx with barrel dated 02/45. It also has low wood, oval cut and OI in the slingwell and no other marks on the stock. Mine is a family member Korea bring back.

Also a hand stamp.

[deldriver]

Interesting, I have Inland 68891xx with barrel dated 02/45. It also has low wood, oval cut and OI in the slingwell and no other marks on the stock. Mine is a family member Korea bring back.

Also a hand stamp.

The beginning of 1945 was when the "long" channel low wood stock started to appear. If there's no acceptance cartouche over on the right hand side then it's been removed somehow at some point. Putting that on was pretty much saying that the carbine belonged to the government at that point.

[RASelkirk]

Mine's a hand-stamp (1). I didn't see any sign of removed markings, nor any signs of sanding and I hand scrubbed it with turp to clean before refinishing it in RLO with a Tung finish.

http://s272.photobucket.com/user/RAS...land%206900774

Russ

[PhilipSpanky]

deldriver;322196 - "If there's no acceptance cartouche over on the right hand side then it's been removed somehow at some point. Putting that on was pretty much saying that the carbine belonged to the government at that point."

While I recognize the apparent truth of your statement, the fact remains that this rifle has not been sanded or refinished. The rifle has been in my family since the early 1950's and there has never been any refinishing to the stock. I cannot explain the situation, I can only describe it...

[USGI]

Deleted my recent post because it was a response to Post #18, but had his carbine confused with the one from Post # 17. Sorry about that! - Bob

[deldriver]

deldriver;322196 - "If there's no acceptance cartouche over on the right hand side then it's been removed somehow at some point. Putting that on was pretty much saying that the carbine belonged to the government at that point."

While I recognize the apparent truth of your statement, the fact remains that this rifle has not been sanded or refinished. The rifle has been in my family since the early 1950's and there has never been any refinishing to the stock. I cannot explain the situation, I can only describe it...

Have you posted pictures of this stock? I don't see any attributed to you in this thread. Again, there was a very specific stock being used by Inland during the time period your carbine was built that is not often seen. Sometimes sanding and refinishing work is hard to see due to later use and the reaccumulation of oils and dirt. It may be the way you are describing it though. Even if it has been sanded, relax, most have been. Nowadays people WAY overdue due to lack of experience and the idea that "pretty" is better when it's not.