Should I Have Passed On This Inland?

[USGI]

I bought this one about 6 months ago on a hunch of what might be on the inside. It sat for 2-3 months before I decided to pull it apart. First problem was I couldn't get the sling off, and still haven't figured out how the PO got the darn thing on there! I'll show a few pics - I've been wanting to get an idea of what you guys think of it.

I didn't take the bolt apart, but it's marked IO 2 on the left lug and has a Type 1 ejector and firing pin. Other than a couple obvious mods to the stock, my biggest let-down was to find an "in-the-white" Type 3 SG hammer and a 26 coil spring - both look brand new. I spent more time cleaning off verdigris and trying to get the oiler (IS) out (never could) than I did examining the rest of the gun that night! The Op Slide is a Type 2 marked PI without the circle. The Op Slide spring has closed coils on each end that are ground flat. It measures a full 10-1/4" in length and is "in-the-white."

I see an S on the front sight - is it a poorly struck SI? The receiver shows the "two tone" pattern and there's a lighter area where the barrel band would have rested when being finished. The hand guard is unmarked and appears to be a Type 1 "bull-nose" - the stock has the "Julian Date" numbers in the slide channel. There's a circled P on the pistol grip, no import or rebuild marks, but also no CC visible on the RH side.

I've seen another Inland having a UI marked sling swivel with no serifs, but this one has them - hope that's correct. My original plan was to keep this Carbine just like it is - with little if any changes. The (2) previous owners had both served in the US Navy - a WWII veteran and his son, both now gone. I would appreciate any questions and/or comments. If you need more pictures of any area, let me know. Thanks! - Bob

[USGI]

Here's more pics. - Bob

[kar66]

Looks mostly correct from the photos you have shown. Maybe the other owner thought he could help the trigger pull with the later parts.

[jimb16]

Need more pictures of the sling. You can't remove the oiler with the sling on. It was made so you wouldn't loose the oiler by having it slip out. The carbine actually looks pretty good. The two tone pattern (top and bottom) on the receiver is correct for many earlier inlands. The rear sight looks good. The S~ marking would be correct. Should you have passed? Depends on what you paid. I suspect you might have done pretty well. You have a lot of early parts.

[USGI]

Looks mostly correct from the photos you have shown. Maybe the other owner thought he could help the trigger pull with the later parts.

Yeah, that alone helps the trigger pull a lot. I've got an S'G' with the original hammer and spring and the pull on it is close to 10 lb. I just checked this one and it's right at 6 lb. From the looks of the parts, it may have been done by the Government before they let it go. - Bob

[USGI]

Need more pictures of the sling. You can't remove the oiler with the sling on. It was made so you wouldn't loose the oiler by having it slip out.

Yes, that's correct and even with original GI slings, not all of them cooperate like they should - stocks can vary, and a lot of the D tips can be especially difficult. This one has an 1/8" thick leather sling on it and the oiler will barely move in it. I believe whoever installed it, worked the oiler in at an angle and then riveted a loop into the free end after he got it out on the left hand side. I hate to cut it, but it does need some new slides (keepers?) on it. What do you think about the marking on the front sight? - Bob

[SRiverrat11]

I don't know that much about Carbines, but that's a beauty. No, you should not have passed on it.

[Singer B]

Wood looks to be in good condition, just need to strip off that varnish and apply some RLO.

[USGI]

I don't know that much about Carbines

I'm not convinced of that - I think you're doing OK! - Bob

[USGI]

Just need to strip off that varnish and apply some RLO.

If it would reveal a hidden CC it might be worth trying, but out of respect for the Navy Vets I hate to mess up their work. It looks like a very heavy coat of Varathane - it's easy to make matters worse sometimes. - Bob