Here is his Christmas gift to me:
It's an Inland M1 Carbine, barrel stamped just behind the front sight:
INLAND MFG. DIV.
GENERAL MOTORS
7-43
On the left side of the barrel it has stamped:
N.A.Co.
RIDGEFIELD, N.J.
On the heel of the receiver is stamped:
INLAND DIV.
5028XX
That serial number puts it right square in the middle of the Inland serial number range, which would also be consistent with a 1943 manufacture date.
As you can see from the picture, the stock is in very good condition. There is one incipient little crack at right angles to the metal butt plate, near where the strap attaches to the the stock, but it looks like it might just be a surface blemish. The rear sight is the one that is adjustable for both elevation and windage, and the front sight has never been filed down, so I'm pretty sure that the rear sight is original to the gun.
One question for you guys who know more about these little gems than I do..... The carbine came without a magazine, so my son purchased a 15 round Kahr manufactured magazine for it. The mag seams to seat positively and release appropriately, but the bolt does not lock back with the empty mag inserted. Are the carbines supposed to have this feature, or were they designed to close on an empty mag? There is a pin in the top of the charging handle that, when depressed, locks the bolt open.....but there seems to be no mechanical means of the follower causing the bolt to lock open. Is that normal for these guns?
My son also got some ammo for it, but he didn't have it with him this morning. By the way, this is the exact same carbine I wrote about HERE. Apparently, my son had talked his boss into bringing it to the gun show, just to tease me with it. My son has done some work for his boss, building him an AR Carbine and is in process of building him a 6.5mm AR for hunting with, and I think the M1 carbine was part of the payment for his work. He first gave me a wrapped box with just the magazine in it. I recognized what it was immediately and shouted "No way!!" He laughed and said it's right behind your chair! I had been sitting in that chair for half an hour already and had no idea it was there. I told you guys he is a sneaky one.
I got him back though.... I gave him a wrapped box of 12 gauge target ammo, and then had him go fetch the box behind my bedroom door..... which contained his brand new Remington 11-87.
This is an extra special gift for me. My dad carried an M1 Carbine ashore on D-Day +3 at Iwo Jima and carried it into battle in Cushman's Pocket. I have my dad's sidearm from WW2, a 1943 Ithaca 1911A1; and now I also have a carbine just like the one he carried into battle, which was made in the same year as his pistol. I've wanted one of these little jewels since I was a boy, and for whatever reason, I've never permitted myself to own one...choosing to spend my gun money on other needs. I can't wait to go shoot the thing.
