The video focuses on what is described as the rarest rifle in Ben’s collection at Classic Firearms. Rather than more commonly discussed rifles like a Chinese Dragunov or a G43, the centerpiece is an M1 Carbine that stands out because of its manufacturer. This example is marked Commercial Controls and is considered the gem of the collection. Only 239 M1 Carbines were produced with this Commercial Controls marking, making it one of the rarest M1 Carbine variants known. The presentation centers on why this specific rifle, while outwardly similar to other M1 Carbines, carries such significance due to its extremely limited production and place in a broader collection of uncommon firearms.
The host explains that the M1 Carbine was one of the primary U.S. service rifles of World War II and was actually the most produced rifle of the war, surpassing the M1 Garand by a large margin. Approximately 6.1 million M1 Carbines were manufactured during the conflict. National Postal Meter was one of the contractors and produced about 413,000 carbines between 1942 and 1944, making it the fifth most prolific producer. In April 1944, National Postal Meter changed its name to Commercial Controls. By that time, its main government contract was essentially fulfilled, but leftover components remained. Using these remaining parts, a very small run of carbines was assembled and marked Commercial Controls on the receiver, resulting in only 239 rifles with this specific manufacturer marking.
The M1 Carbine is described as using a short-stroke gas piston system. A small gas tappet in the gas block strikes the operating rod, which in turn drives the bolt and carrier to cycle the action. Standard configuration uses a 15-round detachable magazine, though 30-round magazines were issued with the select-fire M2 Carbine during World War II. The rifle is chambered in .30 Carbine, a cartridge likened to something in the .357 Magnum class, more powerful than typical pistol rounds but less powerful than full-size rifle cartridges. The carbine is characterized as an early example of what would now be called a pistol-caliber carbine or a personal defense weapon. It was intended to replace the 1911 pistol for rear-echelon and support troops such as drivers, mail personnel, cooks, and many noncommissioned officers, offering a lightweight, semi-automatic defensive arm.
The rifle shown has several features associated with postwar arsenal upgrades. The finish has a gray tone resembling original Parkerizing rather than later bluing. It is fitted with a fully adjustable rear sight instead of the earlier dual flip-aperture sight. The safety is the later lever style, replacing the earlier push-through, shotgun-style safety. A bayonet lug has been added to the front band, another common postwar modification. The bolt is the later rounded pattern rather than the earlier flat bolt. The carbine also includes a bolt hold-open button on the charging handle, allowing the action to be locked to the rear. These details indicate that, although the receiver dates from no earlier than April 1944, the rifle later went through an arsenal update program that standardized many of these improved components.
Additional close-up footage highlights the receiver markings that define this rifle’s rarity. On the rear of the receiver, near the rear sight, the manufacturer marking reads Commercial Controls, along with the serial number 0202. The host notes that only 239 rifles were ever produced with this Commercial Controls marking, and this example is number 202 within that range. The action shows a rounded bolt, a feature associated with the M2 Carbine, the select-fire variant of the platform. The stock has a relief cut for the M2’s select-fire mechanism, even though this rifle is configured as semi-automatic only. The explanation emphasizes that the M2’s select-fire capability was provided by an add-on mechanism rather than an integral redesign, meaning an M2 stock and parts could convert a compatible M1 Carbine to select fire. This rifle retains an M2-style stock and bolt but functions as a semi-automatic carbine.
The barrel is marked Buffalo Arms, indicating the barrel manufacturer that supplied components to National Postal Meter. Near the barrel markings is the Springfield Armory acceptance stamp, represented by a flaming bomb, showing that the barrel was inspected and accepted for U.S. military service. On the stock, at the front of the pistol grip area, there is a circled “P” proof mark, indicating inspection and acceptance of the stock. These markings suggest that the major components are period-correct and original to the rifle. The carbine is accompanied by an original 15-round magazine still wrapped in its rust-resistant paper, as it would have been issued during World War II. The video concludes by emphasizing the rifle’s status as one of only 239 Commercial Controls M1 Carbines produced and notes that it is part of Ben’s private collection, which includes numerous other distinctive firearms.
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