Inland M1 Carb. 1943 barrel

[Midmichigun]

Guys,
I just picked up an M1 Carbine from the Inland MFG division of General Motors.


The barrel date is 8/1943.


The serial number is: 627,997 on the receiver. I have a number of features I wish to display.
1. Where did this rifle come from? Sometimes the stock markings are a dead giveaway... I recently purchased it. Did this possibly come from SA or Asia?
2. What features are "original" to this rifle, with the stated serial number range. As known, these have gone through multiple rebuilds.... which are difficult to undo. I am just curious and look forward to any clarifications... My reference book is from the 1980's.... and I believe much knowledge has been gained since then.
3. What is the general opinion on refinishing or leaving the stock "as is". I believe the "tag" covers the arsenal cartouch... but don't believe there is anything left under it to "save".

Now onto some photos!

Here is the stock, and various cartouches and marks...



This photo has a cear IO mark on this portion of the stock.

This number is the serial number on the receiver.

Now onto the barrel... it is marked "Century Arms" as being a recent import....
"P" mark on barrel

"X" mark on topside of barrel:

Various marks on underside of barrel:

The buttplate is marked:

Which just happens to be the tag tacked onto the stock..
Here is the bayonet lug...

The AI almost appears to be double stamped.
Now onto the triggerguard and FCG...

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[USGI]

If the Century Arms stamp is "CAI" with kind of a "dot matrix" appearance to it, it may be one of the guns that Big 5 Sports has been selling in recent years. I've seen them priced anywhere from $599 right after Thanksgiving a couple years ago, to nearly $1000 when they first offered them. Here in Oregon, a Big 5 employee told me Century Arms brought them in from Israel. I've got an AI front band that is double stamped similar to yours, so maybe it's not that uncommon. I think your buttplate is an IBM. Your trigger housing is either an IBM or Std. Products Type 4. The WA hammer is a replacement. A good reference for parts ID is "US M1 Carbines, Wartime Production" by Craig Riesch - they're about $20. Not sure if you know this, but it's not a good idea to take the action out of the stock with the recoil plate attached - best is to just tilt the action up until it disengages. Your stock although rough, appears to be correct for your serial number range. Nice photos and it's always fun to see carbine pics! I've got a gray cat like that one, and he's always "helping" when I'm messing around with my guns. Others should be able to give you more information about the various parts. Have fun with it! - Bob

[Harlan (Deceased)]

3. What is the general opinion on refinishing or leaving the stock "as is".

Personally, I really like the 'salty' service look and configuration it has with all the markings, upgrades, etc from it's years in military service.
I would leave everything 'As Is' to appreciate it's military service from WWII and onward. It has made it 60+ years and remained in military condition to now. You could sand 1/4 inch off and remove some of the bumps and bruises and some of the dark color from years of service, dirty hands, oiling to preserve the wood, natural oxidation, and to try to 'erase' it's service history and appearance - then it's irreversible though - You can't magically glue the sawdust back onto the stock to make it it like it was before messing with it!
(Unless your name is frankderrico, but that's another story)

It really shows the history it has and I wouldn't change a thing, and doing so would just harm it's unique quality. I think many people trying to 'fix it up' do much, much more harm than good and end up with a cross of something that's no longer anything but a carbine that's been messed with in civilian hands, almost like old 1903 Springfields that have been 'improved' and turned into hunting rifles.
It is what it is, and that's a good thing. I like it just as it is.

Of course it's JMHO, (and you asked)

~ Harlan

[Bruce McAskill]

With the stock stamped with the serial number on the left side the odds are it came from Israel. Century has been importing them from there since at leasr 2007.

[kikokat]

Ah, the stories that rifle could tell! I agree with Harlan, leave it alone. It is what it is.
Shoot it and enjoy it.

[painter777]

Maybe just me.......
But I'd have to pull that Tag off to see if there was a Inland size Crossed Cannons stamp, If not, it could be put back on.

Charlie-painter777

[DaveHH]

If that thing could only talk. All of the late upgrades made it last all of these years and still be an adequate military arm. Lucky that it has all of the wrong stuff for part swappers to pass out over. But they'd still manage to stick a Chinese flip on it given any time.

[Midmichigun]

Guys,
Thanks for the comments and words of encouragement!
I managed to snap some additional photos... here is the rear sight.... what it it?

It almost looks like a shield with an "H" in the center.
Here is a photo of the part that I would call the receiver tang... or where the receiver mounts to the stock...

As per the suggestion, I did gently pry off the "99" tag... sadly, as expected... no cartouch!

Here is the clip/ magazine...


Who is the maker with "SP"? It is stamped on the magazine....
Next question.... do any of you know if the Israeli's ever made their own mag pouches or slings? If I keep this thing "exact" as in Izzy service... I would like to "kit it out" as per how they would have used it...
I did find "commercial", repro, "USGI" and French pouches...
As mentioned, it has a nice history aside from the US military......
Any help is appreciated.....

[USGI]

The cartouche (faint) could still be there. My references show the magazine as a Type1 supplied by Seymour Products, the "H in a shield" marked sight as Hemphill, and the D.I. recoil plate as Dayton Mold Co. for Inland. I also have those same pieces with carbines that I own. Have fun! - Bob

[Midmichigun]

Bob,
Great info! I appreciate your knowledge!!