.30 Carbine

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Splatt513

Splatt513

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Apr 15, 2022
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Good morning BudrowBob, and any other M1 experts and collectors on board. I'm a newbie on here from South Florida, and hope I'm responding or posting in the right place to describe one of my latest firearm purchases - an M1 .30cal Carbine, which is the primary reason I signed on with THR. I did post my intro in that section of the site, in which I described myself, a little history, and some of my toys and safe queens. But this most recent purchase is what led me to this site and forum, and from what I can see, I'm in the right place. I knew very little about these guns, but did some research before I purchased it, and still "thought" I overpaid for it ... until I did a little more research. It was purchased from a very good friend's father, a Vietnam Vet, who had the gun for over 30 years. He described it as having a "very low serial number", but I don't think he knew what it meant. After purchasing it, I had it looked at by an avid and very knowledgeable collector/historian at my local gun shop. He carefully took it all apart, inspecting all of the components and looking at all of the stamps and such, with his carbine collectors manual in hand. His quote when done ... (one of several actually) ... "You my friend have the real deal here". So to make a long story longer ... it's an Underwood ... date stamped 10-42 ... no big deal? But it's serial number E118, which really threw me at first, until I found that it is one of 500 "experimental" versions built in the old typewriter factory. It has of course, never seen any action, and it is in absolute pristine condition. So I'm an excited old fart who feels as thought he has stumbled on a little "holy grail pew pew", and just want to share said excitement with any carbine enthusiasts on here. I hope I did it in the right place? I'll have to get my kid to help me upload some pics from my phone if anyone is interested. Thank you for listening. Any feedback or suggestions would be 'preciated :). Steve "Splatt513" in Jensen Beach, Florida.
 
Wow, that sounds like a very neat gun. Any idea where and now the previous owner acquired it?
 
Sounds great. I to would love some pics. Mine is an old "Sag" a little sloppy but shots fine. Only a two groove barrel but do not do precision shooting or hunting with it. Also have an Universal from the 70's (I think) My late father-in-law gave it to me, has some nice wood work done. Including a extended butt and a piece added to pistol grip so all three fingers have a nice feel.
 
This thread reminds me I have mine in the safe. The rifle was a hand me down from my wife's father. As he got older she was concerned so I removed the firing pin. Might be a good idea to replace it.

Splatt513 you have a hell of a find. Rare would be an understatement. Enjoy it, I sure would.

Ron
 
35 Whelen said:
Here's a link to a spreadsheet of Underwood serial numbers, if you're interested. Mfg Dates Underwood.pdf (uscarbinecal30.com)

If that is a legitimate original Underwood from '42 it should have a flip sight as well as a Type 1 barrel band, that is, no bayonet lug.

Looking forward to photos.

35W
Click to expand...
Yes ... Type 2 sight I believe. And I think the gentleman that inspected it mentioned the band. I actually got a bayonet and mounting hdwr with it, but we all agreed it did not belong with the gun. I'm going to pull it out of the safe and get some pics now, then try my luck with uploading them from my phone.
 
Mosin77 said:
Wow, that sounds like a very neat gun. Any idea where and now the previous owner acquired it?
Click to expand...

He was a police chief out in California and bought it from a friend who also needed some cash back in the day. The gentleman I had inspect it made a good point when he said "If only they could talk ..."
 
Oh my, now Im excited!

Is that a muzzle protection sleeve over the end of the bore?

My Inland has one silver soldered to the end of the barrel. Ive only ever seen ONE other like it and have never been able to find any reference to this modification in any official manuals or researched source books. You can kinda see it in the picture I posted above (middle gun), but Ill try to take a closeup here in a minute.

Its a beautiful gun OP, and while it may never have seen combat, it does look to have gone through a rearsenal process at least once. The rear sight is the later, post-war style and it would likely have left the factory with a flat rather than round bolt. IIRC, the little punch dimple in the top of the bolt is an arsenal mark as well, indicating the new bolt passed inspection.
It also has the later "flip" style safety installed, rather than the original push-button. I cant tell from the pics if its the 2-notch or 3 notch mag catch.

As you noted, the Type 1 barrel band and single-rivet upper handguard are correct for early production.

Overall a very cool Carbine, thanks for sharing!
 
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NIGHTLORD40K said:
Its a beautiful gun OP, and while it may never have seen combat, it does look to have gone through a rearsenal process at least once. The rear sight is the later, post-war style and it would likely have left the factory with a flat rather than round bolt. IIRC, the little punch dimple in the top of the bolt is an arsenal mark as well, indicating the new bolt passed inspection.
It also has the later "flip" style safety installed, rather than the original push-button. I cant tell from the pics if its the 2-notch or 3 notch mag catch.

As you noted, the Type 1 barrel band and single-rivet upper handguard are correct for early production.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I noticed those changes also. I have a '43 Underwood, bought in 1972 from a brother officer who served in the Pacific with the Seabees.

The only change on mine from original specs is the later rear sight, don't know if he did it himself or....?

OP: Any inspection marks on the stock?
 
is the sling on backwards? i have owned quite a few over the years, but have kept this rebuilt winchester and it has been a very good shooter, no picky about ammo.
 

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