Lot 752

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Description:

FROM THE ESTATE OF GEN. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER, COMMANDER OF THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE FIRST WAVE AT OMAHA BEACH Extremely early production United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1, 17" barrel, 35 1/2" overall, manufactured by General Motors' Inland Manufacturing Division. The receiver is marked "U.S. Carbine Cal. .30 M1" ahead of the ejection port, with the name of the manufacturer "Inland Div." and the low serial number "292" behind the rear sight. The top of the barrel is stamped "Inland Mfg. Div./General Motors" behind the front sight, with the date "5-42". Together, this date and the serial number indicate that this weapon was part of the very first production batch of M1 carbines, rolling off the assembly line in May of 1942. The weapon shows numerous other signs of early production: it features a push-button safety, a two-position flip sight, a flat-sided bolt and an ejector with three bevel cuts to its face. It lacks a bayonet lug, and the stock, constructed of unvarnished walnut, features an "I"-shaped sling cut, with the wood partially covering the slide on the right-hand side. The bottom of the grip is marked "P" within a circle, indicating that the weapon has passed inspection, and the sling cut on the left-hand side of the butt is marked with the flaming shell of the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, as well as an "O" indicating manufacture by Inland contractor S.E. Overton. An original, unmarked fifteen-round magazine is present, and the weapon is fitted with an original olive-drab webbing sling is fitted, secured within the butt by an oil bottle. The carbine is housed in a vintage, unmarked wood carrying case. The bolt is missing its extractor, allowing the deeply-cut groove beneath the right bolt lug, indicative of early models, to be seen. The bolt cocks and fires, although the manual bolt hold-open on the top of the cocking handle does not engage. The bore is extremely clean, nearly mirror finish with only the slightest traces of wear visible, and the crown is perfectly defined. The bolt lugs and the slide groove show some minor wear, but the Parkerized finish is otherwise unmarred. The stock shows a few minor handling marks. NRA grade fine to excellent, with the absence of the extractor being the only major flaw. CLARENCE R. HUEBNER (1888-1972) American general who commanded the 1st Infantry Division, popularly known as the "Big Red One", in early August of 1943. He commanded the division during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, where it was the first force to face the Germans on Omaha Beach, and he joined his men on the beach the same day. The division was instrumental in the breakthrough following the battle for St. Lo and in foiling the German counteroffensive at Mortain. After the Allied breakout in Normandy, the division advanced rapidly, arriving at the German border in early October of 1944, where it was committed to battle at Aachen, which it captured after two weeks of heavy fighting. After experiencing heavy fighting once again in the Huertgen Forest, the division briefly rested but soon returned to counter the German offensive at the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944. In January, 1945, Huebner was named commander of the V Corps, which he commanded in its advance to the Elbe river, where elements of the corps made the first contact with the Soviet Red Army. By war's end, the division had advanced into Czechoslovakia. Following the German surrender, Huebner served as the Chief of Staff for all American forces in Europe, and in 1949 was named the final military governor of the American occupation zone in Germany. This carbine originates directly from General Huebner's estate and is accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by a direct linear descendant. It is likely that he was given this carbine as a sample, while serving as Director of Training, Service of Supply, 1942-43. There remains the distinct possibility that this rifle accompanied Huebner on his landing in Normandy and thereafter. Sold with a period photo, 8" x 6" b/w, an Associated Press image showing a grinning Huebner seated in a jeep with several 1st Infantry Division soldiers, holding an M1 carbine with later adjustable sights and a field-made elongated magazine, included to demonstrate his use of this type of weapon in-theater. All firearms purchases must be completed through a Federal Firearms License holder, and the purchaser is responsible for all associated fees. No shipping outside of the United States.

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November 20, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000