Make: Inland Division of General Motors

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 291249

Year of Manufacture: 1943, barrel date 2-43

Caliber: .30 Cal Carbine

Action Type: Semi-Automatic carbine fed by detachable magazines.

Markings:

The top of the receiver is marked, “U.S. CARBINE CAL. 30 M1 / INLAND DIV. 291249”.

The bottom of the barrel on the flat is stamped with the typical Inland Hieroglyphic series of letters and numbers, The top of the barrel is marked “P” about 5” back from the front sight. The end of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 2-43”. The gas block is marked “BI”. This barrel is produced by BROWN-LIPE-CHAPLIN division of G.M.C.. During 1943 B.I. produced 90,000 extra barrels for use on carbines. These barrels are considered to be the finest of the “FREE ISSUE” barrels sent out to prime contractors that did not produce their own barrels.

The Barrel Band: Unmarked

The front sight: “SI” early production Inland

The rear sight: “S”

The slide: “PI” on the inside. For Packard Inland.

The magazine release is marked “M”

The trigger group: “INLAND”

The safety is unmarked

The hammer: “HI” for Hillerich Machine Company.

The Magazine catch: “W-I”. for Wadsworth Watch Case CO. Used on Early Inlands.

The Lug is unmarked

The stock: Circle “P” on the pommel, “IO” for Inland Overton in the sling cut, and an Ordnance wheel on the right flank.

The upper handguard is marked “IO” for Inland Overton.

The magazine is marked “IA”

The oiler: “II”

Barrel Length: 18"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the early style “L” type dual aperture sight dovetailed to the receiver.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an Oval cut, high wood stock, with a two rivet handguard, type one barrel band, a crossbolt safety and a checkered metal buttplate. The LOP measures about 13.25”. The wood shows scattered scratches, compressions, and rub marks. The nose shows chips as does the oval cut. There are no visible cracks. The buttplate has lost its finish, turned brown with age and developed surface rust. Overall the stock is in Good condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: The rifle includes one 15 round magazine in Good condition. The magazine shows some surface rust in the blueing, the spring is strong and the feed lips are good.

Type of Finish: Parkerized / Blued.

Finish Originality: Original.

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with well defined rifling. There is no visible erosion. There is no visible pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains 90% of its finish. The finish has turned brown with age. The barrel shows the majority of the loss and thinning finish. The bolt and receiver show some very minor rub wear on the friction surfaces. The trigger shows finish loss and surface rust. The markings are mostly clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good condition as original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes the magazine and a sling.

Our Assessment: This Inland Division M1 Carbine, manufactured in February of 1943, features a low serial number and is outfitted entirely with Inland Division components. Most notably, it wears a Brown-Lipe-Chaplin barrel, one of approximately 90,000 produced in 1943 by the Brown-Lipe-Chaplin Division of General Motors for Inland. These barrels were considered the highest quality among the “free issue” barrels supplied to primary contractors who didn’t produce their own. The bore is exceptionally clean, rating a 10/10, and is a standout feature of the rifle.

This carbine remains in very good condition, showing honest wear consistent with its age while retaining its original, non-refinished finish. The combination of early Inland production, all-correct Inland parts, and the premium Brown-Lipe-Chaplin barrel makes this rifle particularly desirable. Its originality and performance-ready condition provide a strong representation of Inland’s wartime production quality and GM’s ability to mobilize its various divisions to meet wartime demand.