Inland Paratrooper Serial Numbers

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. How to connect iphone to wifi without unlocking phone number. Also, since the war, many will have been rebuilt with later parts.

M1A1 Serial Numbers

Inland Paratrooper Serial Numbers List

Serial numbers of the Inland M1 carbine actions made during this period ranged from 70,000 - 950,000, and many of these actions were put into M1A1 stocks. Consistent features of the carbines in this range included a two-rivet handguard, narrow barrel band, flip rear sight, and push-button safety. The part numbers used by Inland Manufacturing are the same as Auto-Ordnance. Both use the same manual with the name and information for their particular company. In choosing to use the same sources as Auto-Ordnance Inland inherited some of the problems Auto-Ordnance has been experiencing. Inland's M1A1 Paratrooper I decided I wanted to get my hands-on Inland's M1A1 paratrooper as it is a variant of the M1 Carbine that doesn't get much attention.

Named for their association with America's airborne units, the U.S. M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine was solely made by the Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors in two identified serial number blocks, with this one in the first block (October 1942-December 1943). 'N' marked blade front and 'S' marked two-leaf rear sights, with an Inland barrel dated '4-43', a Type I barrel band, flat bolt. Back in the 1960's, I had a Winchester M-1 carbine with a serial number of about 6430000. One of the last ones made. The rear sight was loose in the dovetail, and would fall out. I traded it for something. A couple of weeks later one of the guys showed up at the club with it, and the rear sight fell out. We finally staked it in place.

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. Surviving mars: stellaris dome set for mac catalina. 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.

Serial Numbers Nero

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

Inland Paratrooper Serial Numbers For Sale

The Stock – barrel channel

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.

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.

Serial Numbers Nero

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

Inland Paratrooper Serial Numbers For Sale

The Stock – barrel channel

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.

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