Make: National Postal Meter

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 4268499

Year of Manufacture: Early 1944

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi-Automatic, detachable magazine fed carbine.

Markings:

The top-rear receiver: “NATIONAL POSTAL METER 4268499”

The top-front receiver: “U.S. CARBINE”, “CAL .30 M1”. The bottom lug “23”.

The barrel: “IBM CORP.” with a faint “P” 4.5” back from the front sight.

The front sight: “SN” NPM

The barrel band: “UN” and “UI” for Union Hardware

The slide: marked inside with a faint “N 8”. NPM

The rear sight: “TN” and “S” The Todd CO. for NPM

The trigger group: “N 16” NPM

The safety: “SN” NPM

The magazine Catch: “MN” NPM

The hammer: “HI” for Hillerich Machine Company.

The sear: “SW-N” Star Watch and Case Co. NPM

The upper handguard: “TN” Trimble Nursery-NPM

The Stock: Sling Cut “TRIMBLE TN”

The magazine: “BW” Bridgeport Metal Goods for Winchester

Barrel Length: 18"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade with protective ears. The rear sight is the early L type dual aperture “flip sight” dovetailed to the receiver.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an “I” cut, high wood stock, with a two rivet handguard, type one barrel band, cross bolt safety and a checkered metal buttplate. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The wood has been sanded and refinished. The wood shows light scattered marks, lines and compressions throughout. The edges of the “I” cut show some minor chips and the right side rivet hole shows one as well. There is a small crack forming just behind the screw in the recoil lug. The metal buttplate has lost finish and shows rub marks around the edges with some oxidation forming and sharp checkering. Overall this stock set is in Good condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one 15 round magazine in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright with well defined rifling. There is no visible erosion. There is no visible pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The finish shows some very minor discoloration from age. The bolt and receiver show almost no rub wear on the friction surfaces. The barrel shows some very minor scattered marks. The recoil lug shows some wood stain on the edges. There is some caked oil present in some of the recesses that should be very easily removed with a proper cleaning. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes the magazine and a sling.

Our Assessment: This National Postal Meter M1 Carbine was assembled in early 1944 and is a strong example of wartime collaboration and subcontracting among the various prime contractors and their suppliers. National Postal Meter, originally a manufacturer of postage meters, was tasked with producing carbines despite having no prior firearms manufacturing experience. The company assembled just over 413,000 M1 Carbines between late 1942 and mid-1944, making it one of the more limited-production prime contractors. This example features an IBM-marked barrel, common in later production runs when the U.S. government shifted supply chains to meet high wartime demand.

This carbine retains all correct National Postal Meter-associated components, including a rare Todd Co. rear sight, a Star Watch Case Co. sear, and furniture made by the Trimble Nursery Company, famous for providing stocks marked “TN” or “TRIMBLE.” National Postal Meter relied heavily on subcontractors due to its lack of manufacturing base, and their carbines often contain a mosaic of parts made by dozens of companies, yet they were carefully assembled to meet ordnance specifications. This rifle’s originality, with its correct barrel and key subcontractor components, makes it a desirable example of National Postal Meter’s short but impactful contribution to the war effort.