Originally manufactured in 1943 by the Inland Division of General Motors, it was rebuilt and converted to full auto at a later date by Rock Island Armory of Geneseo, Illinois. An evolution of the M1 Carbine, the M2 was intended to give America's "second line" soldiers a boost in firepower without excessively disrupting the logistics train or manual of arms. Essentially a "drop in" assembly, the auto-fire components of the M2 could be swapped in or out as needed; most M1s so equipped were converted back to semi-auto after the M2 was retired, and few factory-original M2s (this example is not one of these) can be found intact and with proper registration. Blade front and "I.R.CO." marked adjustable rear sight, Underwood "2-44" dated barrel, a "KI" bayonet lug, round bolt, milled Inland trigger guard, and "J.A.O." safety switch. The stock is the "perch belly" style cut to accept the selector switch, with a 4-rivet handguard, an unmarked buttstock, green canvas sling and a checkered steel buttplate. Magazine is absent.