Inland M1 Carbine $9K -- am I missing something here?

[Remington1911]

During WWII, Carbine use was more Squad & Platoon Leader equipment, so they tended to be cleaned individually. Unlike the rest of the Squad or Platoon's Garands, which would get cleaning "by washbasin."
At least until a given Regiment rotated to the rear, or to R&R, where all its arms went to the Armorers, where they'd get taken down to bits, and the bits checked & gauged. Then assembled by "next part from the bin."

In the reactivation for Korea, Brigade and Regiment armorers would go through all the issue firearms as part of pre-Deployment readiness. Now, for KW, entire Squads or Platoons might be fitted out with Carbines--not common, but happened in the rush of events in 1950 & 1951. Then, you'd have weapons "Field Days" with en masse cleanings.

Now Carbines could "slip through the cracks"--not every Carbine made went to War in either WWII or KW. Large numbers, but not "every." Plenty were In the Rear With the Gear. Many languished with Stateside HQ units; many wound up in Reserve and the NG units.

Wow, around 3 million squad and platoon leaders, never thought it would be that many. I think you may be leaving quite a few folk out of your assessment.

 

[JDeere]

Milsurps are hot right now so prices are up there and it's worth what someone is willing to pay. Is it high? Of course it is for those that know what they are looking at and it takes years to learn what is and isn't correct. I guess my Gen Motors marked Inland that my Dad bought through the NRA back in 62 just increased in price.
I got into buying and shooting Garands many years ago when they were what I consider affordable and abundant. I used to get several at one time from the CMP. The supply has dwindled and there are not many returns left to be had. I don't shoot them as well as used to these days so I have been thinning my herd. Needless to say they sell fast and for what I am asking. As I said Milsurps are hot right now...ymmv

 

[Remington1911]

Milsurps are hot right now so prices are up there and it's worth what someone is willing to pay. Is it high? Of course it is for those that know what they are looking at and it takes years to learn what is and isn't correct. I guess my Gen Motors marked Inland that my Dad bought through the NRA back in 62 just increased in price.
I got into buying and shooting Garands many years ago when they were what I consider affordable and abundant. I used to get several at one time from the CMP. The supply has dwindled and there are not many returns left to be had. I don't shoot them as well as used to these days so I have been thinning my herd. Needless to say they sell fast and for what I am asking. As I said Milsurps are hot right now...ymmv

This is how Mitchell Mausers made all that money. Shame really.

 

[JDeere]

Shame really.

To invest and make money down the road on something you no longer need?

 

[CapnMac]

I think you may be leaving quite a few folk out of your assessment.

For the sake of brevity and clarity.
The thousands of truck drivers and couriers and the like accounted for many, many Carbines. They also did not much engage in GI "washtub" clean Carbines so very much.

Mortar crew might have, as will arty crews--remembering that neither group is meant to be anywhere near to a rifle shot of the MLR. Now, of the thousands in Army Air Corps/Force service, that is less well documented.

And, 1950 to 1953, all bets are off. The Rear becomes the Front to be the rear again. Detached Companies and Battalions were collected up and whistled up with whatever Regiments were to hand into ad hoc Brigades, and thrown into the fight.

The combat losses in KW were staggering, not just in human casualties, but in materiel, too.

 

[Remington1911]

For the sake of brevity and clarity.
The thousands of truck drivers and couriers and the like accounted for many, many Carbines. They also did not much engage in GI "washtub" clean Carbines so very much.

Mortar crew might have, as will arty crews--remembering that neither group is meant to be anywhere near to a rifle shot of the MLR. Now, of the thousands in Army Air Corps/Force service, that is less well documented.

And, 1950 to 1953, all bets are off. The Rear becomes the Front to be the rear again. Detached Companies and Battalions were collected up and whistled up with whatever Regiments were to hand into ad hoc Brigades, and thrown into the fight.

The combat losses in KW were staggering, not just in human casualties, but in materiel, too.

I can see your position is in concrete.