Inland M1 Carbine Info??

[WillysWagon]

I have a buddy at work who has an Inland M1 Carbine I want to buy.

It's stamped

On Barrel:
Inland Div
General Motors
4-48

Behind front sight:
N

Behind rear sight:
Inland
X83

The serial number says it's X83, seems kinda low?
Looks in great shape.
I hope to pick it up for a few hundred $$$.
What info can you all give me about this.
I didn't see any other numbers anywhere else on the rifle.

Thanks all,
Kyle

[7idl]

they made a boat load of 'em. (even I have one ('44)) [pirate]


I won't depress you with the amount I paid :P
(to be fair, it was back in '84)

go ahead and get it if you can get if for cheap.

does it have an adjustable rear sight and bayonet lug?

oh, a '48, so it was most likely rebarreled (my SWAG)

[Gman]

Check out this website:
http://home.att.net/~ra-carbines/history.html

...and this one;
http://www.m1carbineclub.com/

Inland made a mere 2.6 million M1 carbines.[wink]

[WillysWagon]

The info I got was it's an 'Experimental' rifle. 400 were made, 100 of 'X', 100 of 'XA', 100 of 'XB", and 100 of 'XC'. They were later given out as 'Presentaion Rifles' to employees and high ranking military peoples. This rifle would then be 83 out of the first 100 made. Scuttlebut is there's great collector value in the rifle if it's in original shape, price ranging from $1500 - $2000. I gave the info to my buddy and will see what he wants to do.

[mr_will]

I want an M1 carbine so bad, but I never seem to find one for a decent price that is in good shape.

[Gman]

My hackles are raised and I'm a bit skeptical. If it was a very early experimental build and presentation carbine, why an arsenal rebuild in '48?

...and simply what are the odds of coming across such a highly collectible early manufacture carbine in this way?

[WillysWagon]

Some info (from a M1 board) on the rifle I posted about:
The barrel number didn't seem right to me either.

A s/n of X83 means it was one of the "experimental" carbines. Some were used to test new components, most were eventually presented to Inland employees or military officers or government officials by Inland. The first 400 "X" carbines were intended for experimental projects, in 4 groups of 100, "X", "XA", "XB", and "XC". That's pretty rare!!!

The last of the “X” carbines was presented on October 21,1958. As such the barrel date is most likely right for it too and would be close to the date it was given out. For a few hundred dollars it is well worth it as some collectors would snap it up at almost any price. A nice catch and a keeper. Keep it as is close to what it was like when it was presented and it will just continue to increase in value.

I told my buddy about this and he's deciding what to do.
If I was able to get this rifle for a few hundred dollars, it would be a steal :cool:
But why sell to me when he can get more $$$......

[Great-Kazoo]

...and simply what are the odds of coming across such a highly collectible early manufacture carbine in this way?

my dad introduced me to a retired naval officer who had a decent :mrgreen: gun collection. one of the many firearms he owned was an M1 carbine. nothing stock but a tricked out one with scope rail and different stock. he offered to sell it to me for $500.00 i passed on it because he would not include the other items he had received when he was given the gun
1) picture of him and pres gerald ford shaking hands
2) pic of him being presented the M1 by ford
3) letter signd by ford thanking him for his distingushed service to the
united states and the us navy!
said the paperwork and other documents were special and he was keeping them.

what good was the rifle w/out the paperwork to back it's history up?
he had 6 other firearms with presentation paperwork from various presidents and gov officials too. all of his guns he considered selling but again w/out the documentation..
outside of serial verification from mfg to the man on the street they were just fancy guns .
now with paperwork "priceless"

[Gman]

Provenance can be everything to the value of a collectible.

[Gman]

I would post your particulars of the carbine in question over here;
http://battlerifles.ambackforum.com/viewforum.php?f=110

You will probably get some hints at what to look for on the M1 you are looking at.