Calling M1 Carbine Experts !!

[Ronnie Fry]

Riddle me this one boys !!!
I know what it is, but have never seen or heard of one like it !!

[haserot]

Notice how the L in "B L C" is different than the L in "General" I suspect two different stamps.

BLC was a German mauser factory code for Carl Ziess, Military Division, Jena.

Perhaps it was a capture, or left after the war.

I didn't read it (yet), but check out the website www.bavarianm1carbines.com
Look for the 'Germany's Story' link on the right. It may have some answers for you.

Are there any other markings on the gun? Was it imported perhaps?

BTW For what it's worth I do not consider myself a carbine expert, but I am avid about them and do know quite a bit. I have never seen that marking before on any carbine. It's pretty exciting!

[Ronnie Fry]

Haserot,
First and foremost, welcome to the forum. I hope/think you will find it an excellent resource.
Thanks for your reply, and ideas. I guess I owe you an apology, cause I did not fully explain my question.
I do know what it is. The BLC is not Teutonic, but genuine USA. It stands, I believe, for Brown, Lipe Chapin, who was a part of General Motors that made barrels mostly for Inland, it's parent company, and some others.
The question is, has any of you ever seen a bbl marked thusly?? Typically, BLC marked their bbls with the initials "BI" on the flat by the gas piston. Sometimes hard to see. Then they applied the marks behind the sight as "Inland Div" General Motors, as we are all used to seeing. Neither I nor the experts I know have ever seen a bbl marked thusly.
This bbl is installed on an M1A1, Inland receiver # 980764.

r

[jdbwoodsman]

You have it correct. According to the Carbine Club Newsletters, B.L.C. is indeed Brown Lipe Chapin, a Division of GM. They evidently supplied some barrels to Ordnance for testing to make barrels for the Barrel Free Issue Program and for whatever reason were not awarded a contract. It's a very rare original barrel and the date corresponds with the timeframe of the other reported B.L.C. barrels.

Is the M1A1 yours? How about photos? Like to see it.

[Ronnie Fry]

Yes, JB, the rifle is mine.... Just got it... I'll try to get some more photos of it this weekend.
I'm showing my A$$ here, and will confess that I didn't pay that much attention to the marks on the bbl when I first got it. Just another Inland, and I THOUGHT I knew what to expect. Well, after I had looked at it for a while --- Hummm..... What IS that on the bbl....

r

[Matt Weber]

Ronny,

A great Find!!! I've never seen this barrel marking either? Please show more pics of the M1a1!

Matt

[Ronnie Fry]

O.K, guys, here are some photos of the marks in question that are a little better quality. First, the barrel again. Different view

[Ronnie Fry]

Now something you havn't seen before.... The barrel flat marks.....

BI for Brown Lipe Chapin, and the only other mark is a partial "6".

Inland mfgr bbls are noted for MANY marks on the barrel flat. This is obviously not Inland bbl, but B.L.C.

[Ronnie Fry]

And here's the proof "p" on the barrel....

Both the gas piston and gas cylinder housing are marked "WI"

[SMG]

yes, i've heard of them before they are a fairly rare stamped barrel legend for Inland this is the secound instance i've seen / heard of the B.L.C. barrel. and with all due respect i seriously doubt the Nazi's were making barrels dated 9-1943 for captured carbines during the war, never happened. there are Underwood barrels out there dated 10-49 it's another one of those weird neat things that by and through human error gives it a certain "Cool" factor. congrats can we see more pic's of the carbine?? regards

Stu