Make: Universal Firearms 

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 370796

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1978 

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi-Automatic carbine fed by detachable magazines. 

Markings:

The top-front of the receiver is marked “UNIVERSAL / HIALEAH, FLA. / PAT. 3.382.766” 

The rear of the receiver is marked “370796” 

The magazine release is marked “M” and “EI” for Eaton Pond Co. 

Magazine “UNIVERSAL FIREARMS CORP. HIALEAH, FLA. PAT. APPLIED FOR”

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. The left side of the receiver has been drilled and tapped for the Universal scope mount.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a high wood underfolding stock, with an integrated pistol grip, wire frame stock with folding metal split buttplate. The LOP is 13.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the unfolded stock.The upper handguard is a ventilated metal handguard held in place by a type two barrel band. The stock shows signs of aging from being stored for this long. There is some rub wear from the folding stock, and a section of missing finish on the rear bevel. The metal of the folder shows finish loss and some surface rust in the blueing. The handguard shows residue from being stored that should be able to be easily removed. There are no visible chips or cracks. Overall the stock is in Good + condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one 5 round nylon magazine in very good condition. It too is covered in the same residue as the handguard and should be fairly easy to clean off.

Type of Finish: Blued and parkerized. 

Finish Originality: Original and refinished.

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no fouling or erosion in the bore. The feed ramp shows minor surface rust. The muzzle reads at a .30 or as the CMP would state it a 3. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The surface of the rifle shows surface rust scattered throughout most heavily concentrated on the receiver, bolt and slide. The surface of the rifle is also covered in that same residue. This rifle includes a return authorization from a wholesaler in Texas showing that the rifle was returned for warranty due to a broken safety. I believe the rifle was never used and has been stored in a box since approximately 1978 after being rejected by the wholesaler. Currently this rifle is in Fair condition. However I believe that after the residue and surface rust is removed and the safety is replaced it will be in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: Currently the action does not function correctly with the build up of surface rust and residue. As stated in the overall condition I believe that once the rifle is cleaned up and the safety replaced it will function 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 a certificate of authenticity, Universal firearms serialized cardboard box, the return form and the magazine mentioned above.

Our Assessment: The M1 Carbine, developed during World War II, was designed to provide U.S. troops with a lightweight, semi-automatic rifle that bridged the gap between standard-issue pistols and the heavier M1 Garand. Chambered in .30 Carbine, it featured a 15-round detachable magazine and became renowned for its portability and ease of use. Over six million units were produced between 1941 and 1945, serving various roles from frontline combat to support positions.

Post-war, the demand for M1 Carbines persisted, leading companies like Universal Firearms to produce civilian versions. Founded in 1961 in Hialeah, Florida, Universal initially assembled carbines using surplus GI parts. Early models, known as "Gen 1," closely mirrored the original military specifications and were compatible with GI components. As surplus parts dwindled, Universal began manufacturing their own, resulting in later models that diverged from the original design and had limited parts interchangeability.

This specific Universal Firearms PT5000 Paratrooper Carbine with the underfolding stock originating from the family collection of the president of Universal Firearms Abe Seiderman, is one of the last versions produced by Universal. By this point in production most of the surplus GI parts had been depleted and Universal had implemented nearly all of their design changes. This carbine uses the external camming surface bolt, dual spring recoil system, and the switch style bolt hold open found on their later guns. This PT5000 appears to have been sold to a wholesaler and then returned for a defective safety, the indexing tab on the rotary safety fell off, and I believe it has been stored in the box ever since. This rifle is a living example of the trials and tribulations faced by firearms manufacturers and provides a seldom seen glimpse behind that curtain preserved for us to appreciate.