3629

Rare "Tool Room or Preproduction" WWII IBM M1 Carbine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,200.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Rare  Tool Room or Preproduction  WWII IBM M1 Carbine
This is a very nice example of an original WWII tool room or preproduction M1 carbine as manufactured by the International Business Machine company. In late December 1943 IBM delivered their first actual production models for testing against the Army standard drawing requirements for testing. This specific example was made approximately 2 months before those were delivered to the Army. This example has NO receiver markings or standard serial number, instead it is stamped with only "X23" on top of the receiver ring with "IBM" stamped on the lower left side of the receiver. The original barrel is marked; "IBM CORP./10-43" over the Ordnance bomb proofmark. The breech end of the barrel still retains the original first pattern with the full collar ring around the face of the barrel. It still retains the original two-position flip rear sight with the second pattern barrel band. The various parts are marked as follows; bolt, "IO" operating slide, "AOB", the three piece brazed trigger guard is marked "BE-B" on the right rear side, Hammer, "WMB", the low wood, oval cut stock is marked with a large "U" on the left side of the butt with a "JLB" inside the sling slot and the underside of the two-rivet handguard is marked "LW-B".
BBL: 18 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 M1 Carbine
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: X23
Condition: Very good overall as assembled with 95% of the overall finish remaining, showing browning on the barrel, with an old touch up blue finish on the receiver ring and sides. The trigger group retains 95% of the old dark blue/black finish overall. The stock and handguard are both in excellent condition with minor handling marks and clear proofmarks. These type of M1 Carbine are just impossible to find in any condition as they usually only made 25-50 to start and usually they were all destroyed after production stopped. A very rare carbine with all the correct manufacturer's parts.