3702

Scarce WWII Inland "T3" Carbine with Prototype Scope Base, M2 Infrared Sniper Scope, Power Pack M2 S

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Scarce WWII Inland  T3  Carbine with Prototype Scope Base, M2 Infrared Sniper Scope, Power Pack M2 S
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Estimate: $5000 - 10000
This is an excellent example of a mid-Inland production, WWII T3 Infrared Sniper Scope with a very unusual or rare short prototype scope base on top of the receiver. During our inspection of the carbine, it appears that the receiver itself has not been demilitarized and rewelded, however at some point the original T3 scope bases (which are integral to the top of the receiver) were milled off flat with the rear receiver portion machined with a standard rear sight dovetail. What is now attached is a short scope base similar to what you would see on a M1903A4 sniper rifle, and which would duplicate the "T3" scope bases. It is fabricated from brass or copper plated and it has a dovetail lug on the rear underside section with just a raised flat front section that sits on top of the front receiver ring. The small dovetail on the rear underside of the scope base has been carefully fitted into this dovetail which holds it in place in the receiver, with both ends of the scope base, then secured by a single screw on each end. The theory behind this is this short prototype scope could have been used to convert "modified" T3 carbines into a useable standard M1 carbine configuration that could still be used with the M2 or later M3 Infrared snipe scopes, as well as the standard M1 carbine rear sight. The idea here is that this could have been developed prior to the development of the M3 Scope mounting bar, and which could have prevented having all the T3 carbines in US Government stock, demilitarized. However this didn't come to fruition as we know 99% of all the T3 carbine were eventually demilitarized by the Government and standard M1 carbine when used with the M3 Infrared scope used the standard mounting bar. The rear of the receiver is marked "INLAND DIV./0615" and the right side of the receiver on the rear scope base is marked "U.S. CARBINE/CAL. 30 T3", with the "U.S. CA", having been hand stamped on the lower dovetailed portion of this scope base. The front end of the barrel is correctly marked "INLAND MFG. DIV./GENERAL MOTORS/ 3-44". The carbine still retains the Inland marked flat bolt, and trigger guard with some Inland marked parts. As noted it is complete with the original WWII M2 sniper scope and power pack (untested) with the heavy power cable attached, the original M2 sniper scope forward pistol grip and trigger mechanism, the M2 Snooper scope hand held adaptor, a T3 walnut stock and four rivet handguard. The original M3 Infrared sniper scope case, a commercial battery pack to power the light source and the original rubberized back pack.
BBL: 18 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 M1 Carbine
Finish: parkerized
Grips:
Serial Number: 0615
Condition: Very fine as restored with 95% of a green parkerized finish with minor edge and high spot wear overall with some slight discoloration on the front end of the receiver area. The markings on the right rear receiver, "U.S. CA" have been restamped over a dove-tail plug. The stock and handguard are both in very fine condition with a nice matching dark brown color with only minor handling marks overall. The M2 Scope and various accessories, power pack and battery are all in excellent condition. This is a very unusual converted T3 carbine with the Infrared scope that would certainly be worth doing more research on. This could be the sleeper of the auction.