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Nat'l Postal Meter M1 Carbine Help

Gav-n-Tn
What do I really have here? I own a Nat'l Postal Meter M1 carbine in what should be collector grade condition (IMOO). It is clearly marked Nat'l Postal Meter above the SN# but the SN#44265** falls into the range assigned to Quality Hardware and specifically the range that was produced by Union Switch & Signal for Quality Hardware (based on what I've researched). The markings I have found -so far- on the barrel band (J.M.O.), bayo lug (EMO), rear sight (J.A.O.)etc. correspond with contractors that I'm pretty sure made parts for NPM. It has Underwood ?-44 marked on the barrel and the front sight is marked with a U. I have read that carbines which were made outside of their assigned SN# range -by someone else- had to be Ordnance approved and are very sought after too.

I've never disassembled the rifle. If I do, what else should I look for? In other words, what markings on what parts? This is simply NOT an area of expertise for me at all. Any and all help and information is VERY appreciated.

As a side note, it has a buttstock pouch with 2 mags that are marked U.N. Can I somewhat safely assume those are Union Switch & Signal mags? Speaking of buttstock, I can only make out the crossed canons cartouche. The ramp(?) where the sling goes simply has a 10 marked on it.
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • givette
    Sling cutout: the '10' is IO. It's an inland (General Motors Corp.) stock. Now, before you get all a'flutter over this, the Inland stock may be appropriate for the NPM. I don't know for sure. Best, Joe

    EDIT
    Forgot to mention: the 'UN' and 'MN' were company code stampings for NPM. You're good to go in that regard. Best again, Joe
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  • Gav-n-Tn
    quote:Originally posted by givette
    Sling cutout: the '10' is IO. It's an inland (General Motors Corp.) stock. Now, before you get all a'flutter over this, the Inland stock may be appropriate for the NPM. I don't know for sure. Best, Joe
    I won't get fluttered. This one seems to be abnormal anyway. I hope to get an education on this one.
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  • andrewsw16
    You can post over on the CMP forums too. Those guys eat, sleep, and dream about Garands and Carbines. I'm sure one of them can throw in some additional details.
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  • Gav-n-Tn
    quote:Originally posted by andrewsw16
    You can post over on the CMP forums too. Those guys eat, sleep, and dream about Garands and Carbines. I'm sure one of them can throw in some additional details.

    I thought about that. I'm not registered there though. I just figured in a group like this one, there has to be some M1 gurus here.
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  • Emmett Dunham
    Does the rifle have a flip rear sight, I think that when you rifle was manufactured it did not have a band with a lug on it, does it have a push safety, does it have a round or flat bolt, the front sight is Underwood and may not be correct for your rifle, I don't think NPM had Inland stocks on them. Two of the contractors had over laps in their serial numbers. There are a bunch of book worms over on the carbine forum at CMP that are part of the Carbine Club and with a picture posted over there you will get good idea about the originality of your rifle. If you post a picture here with a complete list of all the markings on all of parts in your rifle you may get a good idea here also.

    Emmett
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  • Gav-n-Tn
    quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
    Does the rifle have a flip rear sight, I think that when you rifle was manufactured it did not have a band with a lug on it, does it have a push safety, does it have a round or flat bolt, the front sight is Underwood and may not be correct for your rifle, I don't think NPM had Inland stocks on them. Two of the contractors had over laps in their serial numbers. There are a bunch of book worms over on the carbine forum at CMP that are part of the Carbine Club and with a picture posted over there you will get good idea about the originality of your rifle. If you post a picture here with a complete list of all the markings on all of parts in your rifle you may get a good idea here also.

    Emmett

    It has the later model sight that looks like a graduated ramp and a windage knob. The band does not have a lug on it. The lug is its' own part. I suspect that it was re-arsenaled by Underwood.
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  • 46270
    here mine, it carrys a springfield serial number.
    ar10t027.jpg
    ar10t028.jpg
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  • Gav-n-Tn
    quote:Originally posted by Emmett Dunham
    Does the rifle have a flip rear sight, I think that when you rifle was manufactured it did not have a band with a lug on it, does it have a push safety, does it have a round or flat bolt, the front sight is Underwood and may not be correct for your rifle, I don't think NPM had Inland stocks on them. Two of the contractors had over laps in their serial numbers. There are a bunch of book worms over on the carbine forum at CMP that are part of the Carbine Club and with a picture posted over there you will get good idea about the originality of your rifle. If you post a picture here with a complete list of all the markings on all of parts in your rifle you may get a good idea here also.

    Emmett

    I just registered over there and I don't see the first forum for Q&A about the M1 Carbine. I have to say that just kind of leaves me totally jaw dropped. You would think............
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  • nmyers
    We cannot give you much help without photos; instructions for posting photos can be found on the sticky near the top of the first page of the forum.

    Or, you might want to buy a copy of US M1 Carbines, Wartime Production by Craig Riesch. This inexpensive paperback will help you identify every part of your carbine.

    46270 can also take advantage of the same advice so that he can figure out what he owns.

    Neal
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  • firstharmonic
    Here's a link to the carbine forum on the CMP website - http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=6 . And you can ask just about anything service rifle related on the "Ask Each Other" forum there - http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=77. Lots of answers there, you should do well. Good luck.
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  • Gav-n-Tn
    quote:Originally posted by firstharmonic
    Here's a link to the carbine forum on the CMP website - http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=6 . And you can ask just about anything service rifle related on the "Ask Each Other" forum there - http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=77. Lots of answers there, you should do well. Good luck.


    That is most helpful. Thanks
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  • Gav-n-Tn
    quote:Originally posted by nmyers
    We cannot give you much help without photos; instructions for posting photos can be found on the sticky near the top of the first page of the forum.

    Or, you might want to buy a copy of US M1 Carbines, Wartime Production by Craig Riesch. This inexpensive paperback will help you identify every part of your carbine.

    46270 can also take advantage of the same advice so that he can figure out what he owns.

    Neal
    I have pics but they are not real close up. I have a good camera but I can't seem to get the most out of it. It's more camera than I am photographer.
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