Hello new friends, I recently joined today because I love MILSURP collecting and brought with me two questions about an Inland 8-43 carbine i recently acquired.

It has two very odd cartouche markings flanking the US acceptance mark.
Upside down they look like TFA in a circle and ARB in a circle, but I have no idea.
I have the "wartime" 8th edition and it makes no mention of them.

The other odd thing is a slot cut in the upper handguard 2 3/4 long and 1/2 wide at the front.
There are also two circular impressions on it on the left side, but not on the right.
I am thinking maybe a vertical grip for night vision before they made the M3 full factory model?

I await and thank all you gurus in advance.

Dave
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