3676

Rare "One-of-A-Kind" Historical WWII Inland T3 Carbine with "Prototype" M2 Infrared Sniper Scope Ass

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Rare  One-of-A-Kind  Historical WWII Inland T3 Carbine with  Prototype  M2 Infrared Sniper Scope Ass
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Estimate: $25000 - 50000
This is the "Original Inland Div T3 Carbine" serial number 00306 along with the "Prototype M2 Infrared" Sniper scope that was used by Mr. William Garstang in 1943/44, when he developed this system for the US Army. There is solid supporting documentation, original letters and photographs of Mr. Garstang and his wife holding this exact T3 Carbine/M2 Sniper scope set-up in their house when he was working on this design, that authenticates this entire lot. The T3 Carbines were developed and produced on an extremely limited basis with less than "1000" total ever produced, in their own serial number range. As all carbine collectors know 99.9% of all these carbines were demilitarized after WWII, with the only true examples known to have survived having been retained by either the Inland Div or Winchester factories as display models, or one or two may have been retained by the optical companies and this one being the original T3 carbine/M2 Sniper scope set-up. This example remained in Mr. Garstang's personal possession while he worked on the design in 1944 and then after WWII until 1976 when he sold it. The documentation that accompanies this lot are letters from Mr. Garstang to one of the past owners, briefly explaining how he had this weapon along with a discussion about an article he wrote in 1946 for the Electronics Laboratories, Inc. company newsletter, "The Electronic Beacon". This article discussed his involvement with the design work and specifically listing the serial number of this carbine. Also accompanying this lot is a copy of the magazine that shows Mr. Garstang on the cover as well as several pictures on the inside with him at his company in 1945/46 showing several civilian and military officials when he demonstrated this design. Also accompanying this lot is a copy of the December 1946 issue of "Mechanics Illustrated" which has another article by Mr. Garstang about his small electronic company and work he did during WWII and in the post war years, with a mention of his numerous electronic patents (over 50) he held. This article also show his wife holding this carbine and M2 scope setup in their home. These T3 carbines were specifically designated to be used with the M2 Infrared Sniper Scope. This was the original "see in the night" design on which all following night vision devices were based. These T3 carbines and infrared sniper scopes saw service towards the end of WWII especially on Luzon and Okinawa. The primary difference between a T3 carbines and a standard M1 carbine, is that the T3 carbines had a one piece integral scope base brazed and pinned on top of the receiver. This integral base may have been one of the primary reasons for the removal and demilitarization of this model from Army inventory as it was later replaced by the standard M3 Infrared Sniper scope conversion package, with the separate long mounting bar. This allowed all standard carbines to be converted for use of the infrared system and then back into a standard M1 carbine. This one-piece, integral scope mount forced a relocation of the nomenclature and serial number from the top of the receivers to the right rear side of the receiver. This carbine has the following markings; top of the barrel is marked; "INLAND MFG. DIV./GENERAL MOTORS" and the right side of the receiver is marked, "U.S. CARBINE/CAL. 30 T3". The top rear portion of the receiver heel is marked "INLAND DIV/0306". The carbine still retains all of it's original issue parts, and factory parkerized finish. Some of the noted parts are a type three barrel band with bayonet lug, a flat blued bolt, the magazine release with only a single capital letter "M" on the side, a parkerized trigger and a parkerized unmarked push button safety. The carbine is fitted with a late four rivet hand guard and a super rare, all original T3 carbine stock. The stock has the Inland "IO" proof in the sling slot with a large crossed-cannon ordnance cartouche on the right side of the butt stock. The left side of the stock has been correctly modified and is fitted with the original "silent on-off" switch as designed by Mr. Garstang for the T3 carbine. The carbine has an original T3 stock that has the large squared off, bulbous forend, where the original M2 Infrared lamp and pistol grip assembly is mounted. The M2 electronic telescope or sniper scope that is mounted on top does not carry a nomenclature plate (which would be correct for this model being a prototype, prior to full production) and is only marked with "D-5637-7-1" on the underside of the body of the scope. In addition to the items noted above, this lot contains the following additional original accessories: the original M2 power pack and M2 battery for this model (uncharged brand new) an original hand-held, "snooper-scope" pistol grip mount assembly, an "ORIGINAL" first pattern green plastic/rubberized designed back-pack/carrying pouch with original 1936 straps that carries the power pack and battery, (this is not the later black rubberized back-pack), an original green canvas carrying case to carry the carbine with the scope and emitter lamp when installed on the carbine, an original spare, electron tube (still in the original WWII box), for the electronic telescope an original WWII green canvas web belt with double M1 carbine magazine pouch with two magazines, an original M4 M1 Carbine bayonet and scabbard made by A.C.C., an original T-23 designated M1 carbine flash hider, marked "Hider-Flash-T23/Carbine/CAL.-30, a super rare field recharging cable that allows the power pack battery to be charged by Jeep battery, a super rare electron tube, removal tool, and an original (unaltered) hard back, War Department Technical manual (TM 5-9341) dated June 1945 showing complete operation of the M2 scope, with disassembly procedures wiring diagrams etc. still marked secret and signed by William Garstang on the back cover. To adequately store and show this rare carbine and scope set-up. The previous owner purchased a small steamer trunk with metal corners and edges that he had converted to a complete "turn-key" display set up. Inside is a custom designed storage areas made from oak that has compartments for the complete T3 carbine, M2 telescope and lamp/pistol grip assembly, and all the aforementioned accessories all packed inside the trunk.
BBL: 18 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 Carbine
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: 00306
Condition: Excellent plus, totally original overall. The T3 carbine retains 99% correct original parkerized finish with only slight wear on the correct blued bolt from cycling the action. The stock and hand guard are also in excellent plus condition, showing only minor handling marks in a few areas with clear sharp cartouche and proofs. The mounted infrared lamp and pistol assembly and the actual electronic M2 telescope are also in like new condition showing 99% original finish with minor edge and high spot wear. All the various accessories; M4 bayonet and scabbard, web belt and magazine pouch etc. are all in excellent condition. The magazines and pictures are all original and also in excellent condition. This rifle (00306) and its attached original prototype M2 scope, being the prototype "rig" used for development of the infrared M2 program would be the first successful infrared weapon system in history, put into production, making rifle 00306 and its scope the "first of the first" infrared weapon system in history. The M1 infrared scope program plagued by design and technical problems was rolled into the M2 program and never reached full production stage. This significant example of World War II history best exemplifies our technological edge over our enemies and is worthy of being in the Smithsonian Museum!