This is certainly an exceptional, original, historic Inland Division Presentation Grade M1 Carbine that was manufactured by the General Motors Corp and presented to Wallace Whittaker. When General Motor incorporated Inland Manufacturing Co. in 1923, Whittaker was the first general manager of Inland. At the outbreak of World War II he stepped down at GM to join the U.S. Army Air Forces in June 1942. It is serial numbered in the correct "XB" presentation grade prefix block of serial numbers. During the later stages of WWII the General Motors Inland Div. designated a specific serial number block of M1 carbines/receivers that were intended to be used as either experimental or prototype carbine. Towards the end of the war they decided to just utilize these "X" prefix serial number blocks for Presentation Grade M1 Carbines for presentation to senior members of the military as well as executives within the General Motors Corp. These carbine were all hand built from select parts and wood to make sure they not only looked good but functioned equally as well. It is estimated that only 50-100 of these carbines were ever produced with any example being highly sought by advanced collectors today. The front receiver ring is marked "U.S. CARBINE/CAL 30 M1", and the rear of the receiver is marked "INLAND DIV/XB15" under the rear sight. This M1 Carbine has the late style, small letters and numbers, and the barrel is marked "INLAND MFG. DIV/GENERAL MOTORS/8-44" and has a single small "P" proof in front of the barrel band. It has a type two barrel band without the bayonet lug marked a faint subcontract mark on the side, a late round blued bolt, marked "IO on the side of the lug, the late milled and adjustable rear sight marked "PI", a late production M1 operating slide marked "PI" inside the bottom of the slide, the correct late type three M1 trigger housing with the sideways "INLAND" marking, and the correct "HI" marked hammer. It also has the earlier smooth push button safety and smooth face, "M" marked magazine catch. It is fitted with the original Inland Division M1 carbine stock marked with an "IO" proof in the sling slot and a four rivet, "IO" marked walnut handguard. There are no U.S. Government acceptance proofs which is correct as this was never accepted by the U.S. Army. As noted, this rare presentation carbine comes with its original walnut display case with a green felt lining. The case measures 36x6 1/2x6 inches. The top of the lid has a small brass plaque that is engraved "W.S. Whittaker". The case holds the carbine in an upright position so that is displays correctly with the lid open, and the case has a compartment to store a single 15 round magazine (included), cleaning rod and small storage area in the bottom of the case. It also comes with the original canvas storage cover that zips around the center of the case with leather reinforcements on the corners.

Excellent with 97% of the original Inland Division factory finish overall with just some light wear top of the bolt where it was hand cycled over the years. The stock and handguard are both excellent with only some very minor handling marks on top of the handguard and the center section, sides of the stock where it rested in the case. The presentation case is in very fine condition with most of the original varnish on the outside showing some minor scratches from use and handling. The leather handle is separated on one side from the case. This is an outstanding example of an extremely rare "Presentation Grade" M1 Carbine presented to the first general manager of the Inland Division of GM.