Make: National Postal Meter

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 4276926

Year of Manufacture: Nov. 1943-June 1944, Barrel date 3-44

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi-Automatic, detachable magazine fed.

Markings:

Receiver: " U.S. CARBINE", "CAL .30 M1 / NATIONAL POSTAL METER 4276926", bottom lug "23".

Barrel: "UNDERWOOD 3-44" with a flaming Bomb.

Front sight: "P" Post war front sight.

Barrel band: "JM"

Slide: "PI" and "C" on the inside. Packard Inland.

Bolt: "IO 1" Inland

Rear sight: "I.R.C.O. 7160060" International Register CO.

Trigger group: "N" and "16". National Postal Meter

Safety: unmarked

Magazine catch: "MWA"

Hammer: "WU" Universal Winding Co.

Sear: "Q.A." Quality Hardware

Handguard: "IO" for Inland Overton

Stock: Sling cut "Q-RMC" Rock-Ola Music Co. for Quality Hardware, and what appears to be "O.G." for Ogden Arsenal.

Magazine: unmarked

Barrel Length: 18"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the later style sliding aperture sight with a knurled windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an oval cut, low wood stock, with a four rivet handguard, type three barrel band with bayonet lug, crossbolt safety and a checkered metal butt plate. The LOP measures about 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt plate. The wood has been lightly sanded and refinished showing minor lines, scratches, and compressions scattered throughout. The right side of the nose shows a crack. The wood behind the lug shows two small cracks. There are some very small chips in the edges. There is a notable series of scratches on the right flank and the comb. The metal butt plate has been refinished and shows minor dents around the edges. The butt plate is slightly loose. Overall this stock set is in about Good condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one 10 round magazine in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no visible erosion or pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish shows some minor green discoloration from age. The bolt and receiver show minimal rub wear on the friction surfaces. The muzzle shows finish loss. The magazine well and slide show some discoloration from what appears to be stock finish. The markings are mostly clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in about 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.

Our Assessment: This M1 Carbine was most likely manufactured in early 1944 by National Postal Meter, one of the more unique prime contractors selected to produce M1 Carbines during World War II. Prior to the war, National Postal Meter was best known for manufacturing postage meters, yet the company successfully transitioned to wartime production and delivered over 400,000 carbines to the U.S. military. This example is fitted with an Underwood barrel dated March 1944, a correct wartime barrel from one of the largest M1 Carbine producers. The rifle bears an "OG" stock marking, suggesting it passed through Ogden Arsenal during a postwar rebuild program.

Both the rifle and stock have been refinished, reflecting their long service life and arsenal maintenance history. During its rebuild, several components appear to have been upgraded, including the installation of the later adjustable rear sight, barrel band, and magazine catch, modifications commonly performed by U.S. arsenals. This rifle represents the typical evolution of a military M1 Carbine that remained in service after World War II. The combination of a National Postal Meter receiver, Underwood barrel, and Ogden Arsenal marking tells the story of a rifle that served through multiple periods of military use while retaining its historic wartime origins.