• M1 Carbine Serial Number Lookup
• M1 Carbine Serial Numbers List
• Inland M1 Carbine Serial Number Date Of Manufacture Free
• M1 Carbine Dates Of Manufacture Serial Number

Inland was the first of these companies to start mass production and one of only two who continued until the end of carbine production in August 1945. Inland manufactured over 2,630,000 carbines, more than three times any of the other manufacturers.

1. The Inland Division of General Motors manufactured 140,000 of them in two product runs in late 1942. They were originally issued to the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions but were later issued to all U.S. Army airborne units and the U.S.
2. Rifle Models 1873 to 1888 Krag U.S. Rifles and Carbines Models 1892 to 1899 M1903 Rifle: Rock Island Arsenal M1903 & M1903A1.
3. M1 Carbine Inland oiler II. 1: 0: $45.00: 5h 55m + 641957587. M1 Carbine Inland oiler. When all of the parts are assembled into a functioning firearm ready to be sold, the date of manufacture of the firearm.
4. You can look up the date your specific gun was manufactured, but this may actually be before one with a lower serial number was made. As a simplified example though, lets say Winchester was assigned serial numbers 1 to 100, and Inland was assigned 101-200. Inland might well have built serial number 101 before Winchester built number 100.

Owing to the scarcity of original M1A1 carbines, here are a few essential things for collectors to look out for. It should be noted that original un-rebuilt M1A1s are very rare and the vast majority of M1A1s on the market, have either reproduction or fake stocks. Also, since the war, many will have been rebuilt with later parts.

M1A1 Serial Numbers

Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors was the only manufacturer of the M1A1 and manufactured approximately 140,000 by the close of the war. The M1A1 was manufactured in two main production runs, both of approximately 70,000. The first was produced and delivered from late 1942 through until October 1943. M1A1s produced during this run will have early production features, such as flip sights, type 1 barrel bands, high wood etc.

The second production run, started in April 1944 and finished at the end of 1944. M1A1s produced during the beginning of the second run, will have the same characteristics as the first run, but towards the end of the run, will have features typical of a late M1, such as low wood, adjustable sights and even type 3 barrel bands at the very end of the run.

There are no actual records kept for M1A1 serial numbers and so unfortunately there is no specific way to identify if an M1A1 is original from the serial number alone. Also, during an Arsenal re-fit, M1s produced by other manufacturers could be fitted to M1A1s.

In personally examining real examples both in hand and from pictures, I have noted some of the serial numbers and barrel dates used.

There are many details, but here are the main things to look at:-

Manufacturer

All originals are manufactured only by the Inland Division of General Motors.

M1A1 Stock

All original M1A1s are made of walnut. Any other wood is wrong. Also, check out the shape and angles around the cut away for the folding stock. Fake or reproduction stocks often get this wrong.

The Pistol Grip

The side or back of pistol grip, should have a “P” proof mark, either circled or un-circled, indicating that the gun has been test proof fired.

The underside of the pistol grip should have a marking of OI and a crossed cannons emblem.

The Stock – barrel channel

Viber 10.10. There should be an OI stamped on the inside of the barrel channel. The OI stands for Overton Inland, who were the manufacturer of the stocks.

The Butt Stock

In the butt-plate number B257614* should be cast with a logo of a sunburst in a circle completed by a drawing number between 3 and 12.

All metal on the stock should be parkarized and not blued.

The leather part of the folding stock should be of a very good quality and a dark brown, almost black colour. It is very common, to find the leather on the cheek pad missing.

Rivets used to attach the leather should be dull and not shiny. Brake lining rivets were used on re-builds, sometimes with a “7/4” marking. All original factory production were unmarked.

M1 Carbine Serial Number Lookup

Continue reading

Sold for: 1,125

LSB#: 200707AL16

Make: Inland Division of General Motors

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 2945992

Year of Manufacture: October to December, 1943 (page 28 of Scott Duff’s book The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide). Barrel Date: 10 – 43

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” on the front and “INLAND DIV. / 2945992” on the rear. The top of the barrel is marked “INLAND MFG. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS / 10 – 43” and “P” twice under the barrel band. The barrel flat is marked with several inspection stamps. The right rear of the trigger group is marked “16” (a production number) and “N” which is a National postal meter (NPM) mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is marked “.U.” which is an Underwood mark (page 89). The rotary safety is marked “N.” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 95 & 184). The magazine release is marked “M” which is Type IV magazine release marking (page 98). The inside of the operating slide is marked “15” (a production mark) and “N” which is a NPM mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “2” (a production mark) and “A.I.” on the left lug which is an Inland mark (page 36). The front sight is marked “N” which is consistent with Inland and others (page 56). The Type II rear sight is marked “H in a shield” which was used by Winchester, Rock-Ola, Standard products, and IBM (page 29). The Type III barrel band is marked “J.M.O.” on the band which is a Quality hardware subcontractor mark (not listed in our reference material) and “EM-Q” on the lug which is a Quality Hardware mark (page 59- 60). The base of the grip is marked with a faded “boxed P” proof. The interior of the handguard is marked “P-U” which is an Underwood mark. (page 138). The left side of the butt is marked with a “crossed cannons” cartouche. The left side of the stock, above the trigger, is marked with a partial “RRA-C” which is an Arsenal Rebuild code from the Red River Arsenal in Texas followed by the inspector’s initial (page 184).

M1 Carbine Serial Numbers List

Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable Type II aperture assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The gloss finished wood stock has a pistol grip, Type III barrel band with sling loop & bayonet lug, sling well, sling pass through, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows scrapes, small scratches, small dents, and discoloration from oxidation. The wood shows scrapes and scratches. Some have damaged small portions of the finish and/or surface wood. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rebuild

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright; semi bright at the muzzle. The rifling is crisp. There is frosting at the muzzle; mostly in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.9.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. The metal shows small scrapes and light discoloration. The trigger guard shows a few small scratches. The top of the barrel shows oxidation. The right side of the receiver & bolt show some thinning consistent with cycling. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.

Inland M1 Carbine Serial Number Date Of Manufacture Free

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: The rifle comes with a 4 round magazine. The magazine shows scrapes & light handling marks. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.

Our Assessment: This Inland Division M1 Carbine was made back in 1943. At some point it was rebuilt at the Red River Arsenal in Texas and is marked accordingly on the stock. It was rebuilt using a mix of USGI parts but still retains what appears to be its original 1943 dated Inland barrel. The rifle has nice markings on the metal including deep Inland marks on the receiver and barrel. The barrel markings include the “GENERAL MOTORS” stamping which is indicative of the all-out War effort necessary during WWII. This M1 Carbine will add to your WWII or Military collection.

M1 Carbine Dates Of Manufacture Serial Number

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable? (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R rifle can be transferred in California. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.