I just really got into them, this past year. One quickly turned into five, three Inlands and two Winchesters.
Ive been doing a lot of research on mine, and trying to figure out just what I got. Its been an educational adventure.
Your gun appears to be in pretty good shape and one that hasnt been arsenal updated. If it were, it would have a bayonet lug, and adjustable rear sight, a lever safety, instead of the pushbutton, and maybe, maybe not, the upgraded mag release that locks the 30 rounders in.
From what Ive seen, an early gun like yours, that hasnt been upgraded, tends to bring a premium, as does the maker.
The stock looks to be one of the early stocks, and not one of the later "pot belly's". I prefer the early stocks ( I have 2), as they just feel better in the hand to me.
They usually clean up nice with just a couple of coats of linseed oil, which is also the correct thing to use on them. Dont sand or steel wool them, etc.
Even when running well, they arent the most reliable. All of mine needed work when I first got them. Lots of stoppages and feeding malfunctions.
The two things Ive found that brings them up to 95% + has been, rebuilding the bolts, a new recoil spring, and new, Korean 15 round mags. I still get the occasional feeding malfunction here and there with all of them though.
I got a number of USGI mags with the guns when I bought them. Most of them are part of the reliability problem. The Korean mags I picked up later are a lot better. I think the GI mags are just old and worn out. From what Ive been reading, they were always the weak point with these rifles anyway, and usually replaced when they were getting resupplied with ammo.
I also have a couple of the Korean 30 rounders, and they seem to work OK too. I prefer the 15 rounders more myself though.
Numrich/Gun Parts has everything you might need for parts, and at fairly reasonable prices. They also have the basic tools youll need if you decide to do the bolts. The gas piston wrench is something youll likely want too, especially if it wasnt staked, or someone broke the staking in the past. All but one of mine were loose. I actually prefer them that way anyway, as it makes cleaning them easier. I just put a small drop of LocTite on the nut when I put it back together.
Lots of info here......
http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/manufacturers.html
M1 Carbine - Civilian Marksmanship Program
The CMP has a lot of good info if youre going to shoot them. Lots of links there with lots of good tips and info.
The first link above has a lot of info from the research standpoint. Lots of info on makers, markings, both metal and wood, etc.
If you search "M1 Carbine in Google, you will get a lot of hits too. The two above were a lot of help to me though.
You Tube is also a great place to look for how to do things, if you plan on changing out parts, etc. I found it to be a big help.
Good luck! I think youre really going to get hooked on them.
Oh, and this is what happens if you leave two in the same room for 30 seconds