I recently got an M1 Carbine and wondered what people could tell me about it!

[ct241]

I recently bought an Inland Division M1 Carbine marked 12-43. It has a flat bolt, type III barrel band, flip safety, and M marked mag release with two circles about it. The seller told me that there were import marks on it, but I cannot find them anywhere on the rifle. The stock has been refinished unfortunately and the cartouche marks are very faint. When I bought the rifle it had a shinny clear coat over the wood that was starting to chip away, so I stripped it and put a boiled linseed oil finish on the wood.

With my limited knowledge of these rifles and the internet as a resource I tried to figure out what I could on my own.

• Barrel band- "KI" Inland
• Rear Sight- IRC CO Inland
• Front Sight- Unmarked???
• Type II Flat Bolt- "IO" Inland
• Slide- "D" and underlined "PI"...Inland
• Trigger Housing- Inland
• Stock- Inland?
• Handuard- "RSG" Saginaw?
• Recoil Plate- "PR B" IBM?
• Trigger- "SG" Saginaw
• Sear- "R.I." Inland

I'm curious what people who know more about these rifles have to tell me about it! Are there any good resources out there that I should look into for finding more info? Also, I'm curious to know what this rifle is worth as with carbines it seems hard to put a value on.

Information

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[INLAND44]

Look for small marks on the front face of the front sight. They may have replaced the sight with the barrel band installation since it had to be removed anyway. Yes, Overton stock for Inland (OI inverted).

[USGI]

Question on the barrel date - is it 12-42 or 12-43? You did a nice job on the stock - looks great! - Bob

[ct241]

I've searched the front sight post using a magnifier to look for faint marks and have not found any? I've heard that unmarked sight posts were made by Winchester, could this be the case here?

The barrel date is 12-43, not 42... typo on my part, I fixed it in the original post! And thank you! I'm very pleased with how the stock turned out.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

CT,

Welcome to our forum. Nice looking carbine. Upgraded parts, low wood stock, d clip sling. You don't mention serial number range, assuming it has been through a rebuild. Import marks can be found on the barrel below the front sight, and on the receiver below where the wood can cover it up.

We have a search feature in the tool bar above. You might be able to find answers to some of your questions there. Asking on the forum should get responses. There are a lot of long time and newer members here. Good bunch of guys. There are good reference books, (write carbine books in the search section) and a few online locations for information. Even clubs you can join. Above we also have a sticky section. You might want to view those threads. Lots of information there thought worthy of having a quick reference.

I hope you enjoy the forum.

Jim

[jimb16]

Look on the left side of the sight too. It could be marked RIA there. Another unmarked front sight could be Saginaw. That one characteristically has a shallow groove behind the blade.

[ct241]

Jim, Thanks for the information! I took a looks through there and there's lots of interesting stuff to read about these guns.

I've searched the front sight post for marks and have not been able to find any. I can tell that it is a milled front sight post as it has visible tool marks. I've also searched the barrel and receiver for import marks. I was told it had Davison's import marks on it but still have not found them. I wonder if the seller on gunbroker put the wrong picture in the listing?

[Bruce McAskill]

Look on the bottom of the barrel between the barrel band and the front sight for importers markings. It might even look like a scratch.

[jimb16]

Davidson marks are really small. When Bruce says they look like a scratch, he's not kidding.

[painter777]

CT241,
Here's some pictures of a WRA Frt Sight, they were made by Lyman.
Most have what many call a Fingernail Milling Pattern behind the Sight Blade.
Best way to tell, is the shape of the outer ears.

Lyman made sights have longer sloping profile on the back edge of the outer ear.

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

PIC #1: L-R WRA... N.... RMC marked TR



PIC #2: L-R WRA.... N (Inland)



PIC #3: L-R N (Inland).... WRA (Lyman)



PIC #4: Finger nail Milling.. Top- RMC Marked TR, Bottom (Larger/Coarser Milling style) WRA (Lyman)



---------- Post added at 02:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------

Davidson marks are really small. When Bruce says they look like a scratch, he's not kidding

I'm only a hour away from Davidsons.
Have seen their Import mark just above the Op Slide Groove, often on the Right side. Between Chamber and Piston. Easily covered with the stock on.

FWIW,
Charlie-Painter777