Make: Underwood

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 2795401

Year of Manufacture: The receiver was made July 1943-March 1944. The barrel date is 11-43.

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Automatic rifle fed by Detachable Magazine

Markings:

Top-Rear Receiver- "UNDERWOOD / 2795401" with a flaming bomb on the bevel.

Top-Front Receiver- "U.S. CARBINE", "CAL .30 M1".

Barrel- "INLAND MFG. DIV. GENERAL MOTORS 11-43", "ARL. ORD ARLINGTON, VA", two "P"proofs, "II" on gas block, "J" on the top of chamber, and usual Inland Hieroglyphics on barrel flat.

Front Sight- "N"

Barrel Band- "AI" Autoyre, for Inland

Interior Slide- "UN" Union Switch & Signal, for National Postal Meter, 64,602 made.

Rear Sight- "I.R.CO." International Register CO.

Trigger Group- "M" and a "U" on the flat. We believe this to be a Winchester trigger group marked with the wrong stamp on the side but the correct random letter on the flat.

Magazine Catch- "W" Winchester.

Hammer- "HI" Hemphill MFG co.

Magazine- "A.I."

Stock- "IO" for Inland Overton, right flank "U.S. GOVT. PROPERTY" with a large ordnance wheel, grip "P".

Barrel Length: 18"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is a 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 3 barrel band with bayonet lug and an early style cross bolt safety. The LOP is 13.25" from the front of the trigger to the rear of the butt plate. This stock has been very lightly sanded and refinished. The wood shows scattered compressions, scratches, lines and missing chips. There is a chip missing from the toe. There are several cracks, one on the right flank near the rear edge of the receiver, one forming from the rear of the lug and another starting at the right rear edge of the trigger guard. The butt plate shows surface rust, pitting, lost finish, and discoloration. Overall the stock is in about Fair condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, with well defined rifling and no visible erosion or pitting. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The action shows operational wear. The leading edges of the muzzle and front sight show finish loss. The finish has turned brown/green with age. The edges of the trigger group show finish loss. The bolt and op-rod show the most discoloration. The markings are mostly clear. The screw heads are sharp and serviceable. Overall this rifle is in about Good-plus condition and would have rated higher if not for the stock condition and the mechanical issue.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The magazine does not insert easily and really only goes in if the magazine catch is depressed. This may require attention from a competent gunsmith to repair. 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 single 15-round magazine.

Our Assessment: This M1 Carbine was manufactured by Underwood Elliot Fisher in 1943 and is fitted with an Inland Manufacturing Division barrel dated November 1943, a correct pairing for mid-to-late war production. Underwood was one of the larger M1 Carbine producers, originally a typewriter company that transitioned into wartime arms manufacturing. This example features a high-condition bore rated at 9.5/10, showing strong rifling with no pitting or erosion, indicating excellent shootability.

The rifle includes a slide marked "UN" produced by Union Switch and Signal for National Postal Meter, with approximately 64,602 of these slides manufactured. It is stocked in an "IO" marked stock made by Overton Company for Inland, and notably stamped "U.S. GOVT. PROPERTY" with a large ordnance wheel on the right flank, an uncommon and visually striking marking. This combination of correct wartime parts, desirable subcontractor components, and excellent bore condition makes for a very appealing and well-preserved M1 Carbine. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos and best of luck with your bidding!