Someone I know is getting rid of some his guns, including a nice
Inland M1 carbine made in 1944. It is all original, and has been
checked out by a competent gunsmith. The wood has handling
marks, but no major cracks or chips. The parkerized finish is
around 85 to 90%. It has a green cloth sling, and two maga-
zines in a green cloth magazine pouch attached to the butt
stock.

I know they made a lot of Inland M1 carbines, but I've read on
this forum that the prices for these old war horses are going
up. I looked on GB and saw some very high asking prices for
Inlands.

Anyone venture a guess as to what I can offer this gentleman
for his M1?

Start at $650... but ask what he wants first!

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Old paratrooper in NC

Not long ago I was paying $300 to $400 (my first was $50.00 in 1966) but not anymore. A decent Inland with mostly Inland parts and no import stamp now brings $600 to $700 around here. Get one that is all correct and it goes up. Get an early correct one with flip rear sights, no bayonet lug and other early stuff and it goes up a lot more. I recently saw a correct early one sell for $1800. As posted above, try to stay around $650 or less and you shouldn't lose any money later if you decide to sell it.

I bought one here about 6 months ago for $550 but that isn't typical. I see non-import guns going for $750 every week over on the CMP forum and they don't last more than a few hours. An Inland is the least desirable because they made more than half of the 6m built. Check the muzzle wear with a gauge before you buy it. If it is 3 or more it will need a new barrel. That's a $200 job. If it has an import mark start at $550>$650. Non-import $650>$750. Try to find one with a matching barrel and receiver. An Inland receiver SN can be dated more or less and the barrel stamp should be in that same time frame. Good bore is more important than original barrel though because a lot of them were rearsenaled.

I have two Inlands that were recently purchased. One has been totally rearsenaled with all USGI parts and one is a Frankengun with some non-USGI parts. I would buy another if the right one came along.

There won't be anymore coming into the US in any sizable numbers, maybe a few thousand sometime this year. Prices are taking off for the moon. If you want one don't mess around cause in a few years you won't be able to buy one for less than a grand.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Looks like I missed my time for getting one of these.

Get it when you can, like others have said, there won't be any more available any time soon. The CMP doesn't have any more and don't expect to get any. There are many thousands of them that we gave to Korea/Israel/Turkey and a few others that the current regulations won't allow back into the country. (I don't understand the import restriction regarding something that was originally made here) I've got the one I always wanted (44 Winchester) but don't see me expanding the collection. I just wish I had borrowed a bunch of money and bought a bunch through mail order when they were under $100 each, but I was more interested in cars and girls (not necessarily in that order ).

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Minimize the variables

I sold what I believe was a re-import Inland a few years ago for $700.00 with a good bit of ammo. My gun had etching on the bottom of the barrel that was unreadable, even under magnification. It likely was a "Arlington Arms" gun. Arsenal rebuilt, replacement stock from a IAI gun. Off a rest it would shoot a baseball size group at 100 yards.

An AR type rifle would be nearly the same price, would be offered in better calibers, and be scope friendly.

But if you have to own USGI M1 carbine, you will probably love it.

Thanks for the good info guys. I also recall him telling me that
his carbine was originally a M2 that was converted back to a
M1. I don't recall seeing the cut out on the left side of the
stock for the auto selector. His carbine was made in 1944, so
it had the bayo lug and the later rear sight. I hope to see it
in September when he returns from NM so I can inspect it
a little better.

if it was an m-2 its still a m-2 as far as the atf is concerned so i dont think i would touch it unless it is a registered weapon,

Due to a topic we can not discuss. "She" did not want them to fall into the hands of criminals

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Still Running Against the Wind

Millions of M1 Carbines were manufactured during WW2. Most remained in service until the 1960's. Many went out to other countries as gifts or loans.

Practically all went through some level of arsenal or depot maintenance and most were partially or completely rebuilt at some point, becoming what is refered to as "mixmasters" (mismatched parts from various manufacturers assembled into a single weapon).

Many of those that went to other countries came back as "reimports". These will be found with a great variety of replacement parts of non-US origins. Later reimports usually have the importer's tradename stamped on the piece (underside of barrel is most common).

The main key to value will be the originality factor; barrel and receiver matched, stock, op rod, trigger group, sights, etc. Carbines that remain completely original are quite rare, thus quite valuable to collectors.

Range of values is all over the board. Completely original M1 Carbines could bring thousands at a collectors show or auction. US arsenal rebuilds in good to very good condition might bring $500 to $1000 depending on condition (and relative rarity of certain parts contained). Reimports are at the lower end of the scale, perhaps $400 to $700 depending on condition (and parts content).

Quite a few collectors are constantly looking for carbines that they can part out to use in reassembling carbines with all correct parts, increasing desirability and market value. It is possible for those with the skill and patience required to part out carbines and sell the parts for more than the price of the carbine.

I've got an all-original early Underwood. Flip-type rear sight, push-button safety. No bayonet lug. Very nice condition. I've always wondered what it might be worth.

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'Merica!

Check the rear of the receiver. If it is stamped M2, than it is classified as a machine gun, even if it will not fire full auto due to replacement of parts. If the receiver is stamped M1, than it may have been modified to full auto at one time, but if the full auto parts are not present, than it is classified as a semi auto, and is completely legal.

The only way the gun would be legal if the receiver is stamped M2, would be if it came with the proper documentation and tax stamp from good old Uncle Sam.

They are a lot of fun to shoot and easy to reload for. I really enjoy mine. To boot, they are light weight and easy on the shoulder. Then of course there is always the historical aspect, joy of collecting, ...

They can fill a self-defense role, but outside of that they are pretty much plinkers. Certainly you can get decent accuracy out to 100 yards or so. I think some gun clubs have CMP matches that are M1 Carbine only or where the little carbine is at least allowed to compete.

As someone else said, an AR for about the same money would be much more practical if you are interested in hunting and competitive target shooting.

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You're shy a few manners.

That is my understanding also. The receivers are the same, but an M2 stamp means it was originally assembled to be full auto and the receiver itself makes it illegal to possess unless it has been registered.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I picked up a '43 Inland about a year ago. It'd been through the arsenal for a refinish, but didn't look like it had been shot since then. A real nice looking mixmaster with the original Inland barrel/receiver, non-import. I gave $675 for it and was pretty happy. It turned out to be an excellent shooter.

That gun would sell for about $850, possibly more, on the CMP forum. Those guys know the values pretty well because they collect and rebuild carbines. I have one like yours with a lightly used Winchester barrel. Looks like it was recently rearsenaled and everything is Inland except the barrel. I paid 1K for it which was too much but it won't be in a few years. Hang on to it whatever you do.

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That's just somebody talkin.

I bought it because I wanted a shooter. But I have another one.

My uncle's BIL was a navy corpsman in the Pacific during WWII. A fighting corpsman, who fired his weapon in anger more than once from what I've been told. I've also been told he hit his target on at least one occasion. I have his all original bringback Winchester M1. Original sling, flip sight, and so on. He carried it on Bougainville and whatever other battles he was in. It never had the chance to be rearsenaled - it's exactly as it left the factory in '43. The only thing wrong with it is he engraved his drivers license number on the trigger guard, something the police once recommended people do with their valuables. Doesn't bother me at all - I figure he earned the right to engrave anything he wanted to on that gun. Not sure what it's worth and someday I'll probably just pass it along to someone in the family, assuming I can find someone in the family who'll truly appreciate it for what it is.

PlaytheAces: Incredible gun!! It's what carbine collectors dream about. Hang onto it, take good care of it, shoot it once in a while just to let it know you still love it, and when you pass it on to someone, demand 'way up there in four figures for it.

As noted the prices are all over the page for carbines and have gone sky high in many cases. I paid $800 for an IBM carbine a couple years ago but it was in exceptional condition. I may have paid too much but it's value will catch up I'm sure. I missed out buying one back when they were cheap and had to pay the price now but have wanted one to go with my SA Garand. I probably paid too much for it too.

G-Mac: It is definitely worth a good gun safe. If your bank has a large enough safe deposit box it would be worth the fee to store it there.