This is the story of the M1A1 carbine as per my notes.
I bought it in February 2008.
S/n 123829---This is an early “First Contract” carbine barrel dated 12-42.
This is a rare carbine and hard to find in the U.S. and Canada.
Walnut, high wood oil finished stock, flip rear sights, “Type 1” barrel band with “UI” marking on the swivel. (Wide swivel aperture.)
“P” proof code in a circle on the rear of the stock above the pistol grip by the recoil plate.
On the underside of the pistol grip there is a stamped faint Ordnance ”crossed cannons” escutcheon with what looks like an “O” as in “IO” for Overton /Inland.
There is a visible “OI” stamp on the underside of the forearm.
There may be a faint “OI” very faintly stamped on the bottom inside of the stock.
On the inside of the buttplate there is a number cast (not stamped) “B257654” followed by a circled asterisk-like number with a one or two digit number.
The number looks a “10”.
The gun came with an “IA” Inland marked magazine that has been pinned to five rounds.
Barrel Markings;
–Inland Mfg Div General Motors, 12-42.
Receiver Markings;
Front of receiver-“U.S Carbine” ”Cal. 30 M1”—Behind rear flip leaf sight “Inland Div” over serial number 123829.
Hammer Marking; “HI” Inland code.
Trigger Housing;
The Inland Logo is stamped on the right side of the trigger housing.
There was approx. 140,000 of this model produced by Inland in two distinct production runs. Inland was the only manufacturer of this model.
First run in November 1942 through October 1943 approx. 71,000 guns.
Second run began to be manufactured in April of 1944 with the first deliveries in May 44 through December 1944 approx. 69,000.
The second run carbines had low wood stocks, adjustable rear sights, and”T4” barrel bands late in the production run.
This carbine is an early gun from the “first run.”
These guns are rare and very highly sought after by M1 carbine collectors.
The gun remains in its “as issued” configuration, and has no post war modifications; it came with its original early khaki coloured sling.
After the war, like the standard M1 carbines, most of the M1A1 carbines were overhauled with updated and/or refurbished parts.
This is not the case with this gun; it remains in its original configuration.
The same young collector wants my Colt M1911A1 rig---although he has a bunch of these.