Carbine Models M1 or M1A1, and some of the M2's, were made well after the receiver was completed as all of these models used the same receiver. The serial number was placed on the carbine receiver during the manufacturing process of the receiver, not when the carbine was finally assembled. Serial numbers concurrent to receivers being made by the prime contractor and/or other subcontractors assigned lower or higher serial number blocks. One manufacturer separated out smaller blocks of serial numbers for use by subcontractors who would use these Some manufacturers used more than oneĪ few of the manufacturers used subcontractors to manufacture their receivers. Some of these blocks were split up and used before or after other blocks. There was no requirement as to using the serial numbers in order.Ī few manufacturers used some serial number blocks out of order. Contracts had a completion date but there was no requirement for completing one contract before starting another. Think of each serial number block as a separate contract. Serial number blocks were assigned by the Ordnance Department on an as needed basis, generally in response to the awarding of a contract to a given manufacturer. This is not an accurate means of estimating the date the carbine was finally assembled or when it passed its final inspection. Some people estimate a carbine's date of manufacture by adding the quantities manufactured month to month Understanding Serial Numbers - Understanding Dates of Manufactureĭating a carbine by its serial number alone is difficult and not always accurate given the circumstances inherent with manufacturing and the logistics situationĭuring the time the carbines were manufactured. Inland Mfg - Engineering & Presentation Gifts

Inland m1 carbine manufacture dates