That's not a Universal Carbine

[GunnyUSMC]

A few weeks ago I stopped in at one of the local pawn shops and spotted a M1 Carbine on the rack. The guy at the counter said that it was a Universal with an IBM barrel.
I asked to have a look at it and this is what I saw.


The barrel markings were worn but I could make out the flaming boom and the letters OOD. It was not an IBM barrel. :think:


The top od the recever had what looked like the military markings.


It had the adjustable rear sight and I couldn't see the manufactuer name, but I could see the first two letters on the left side of the sight UN. When I looked on the right side of the sight I could see the letters OOD.
It has been a long time since I saw the TV show Wheel of Furtune, but I still know how to play the game. UN_ _ _ _OOD, add DERW and you have UNDERWOOD.


As some of you know, I do my best to never pay the asking price on a used gun. So I asked what he could do on the price. He said he would let me have it for $450 out the door.
So I bought it.

The stock has been sandes and will be replaced and it has a tiny import mark on the front bottom side of the barrel.
Here are a few more pics.

 

[303tom]

Nice...............

 

[Reloadron]

Gunny you got yourself a nice little carbine at a great price. Unless those are cracks or something I see in the second image I would just refinish the wood. The M1 Carbine is just one of those little rifles you have to love. Enjoy it!

Ron

 

[Sam1911]

Hey! That's pretty nice! My Carbine is an Underwood left to me by my Uncle, and it gets regular workouts. Love that little gun!

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Well, come to find out it is a Universal, but not a Universal Firearms. It is a rare WWII subcontracted receiver made by Universal Windings for Underwood.
You can see the small W at the rear of the receiver in this pic.

 

[WardenWolf]

Nice score!

 

[shotgunjoel]

I saw that W and knew that it must have been a subcontracted receiver. I have a National Post Meter with a U stamped in the same place, the receiver was one of about 50,000 contracted out to Union Switch and Signal.

 

[Art Eatman]

I saw a few carbines at the Tallahassee gun show, yesterday. Tags said around $1,100. Needless to say, I didn't bother to take a close look.

 

[Strange Bob]

Very nice find, great observation(s), fairly decent negotiations .

Congrats!

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have a lot of guns in my collection so, there is not much out there that I need. I like buying guns, but the hunt for great deals is what I love the best.
Just look back at my post and you can see some of thost hunting trophies.

 

[PhotonSD]

You are absolutely right that is not a Universal Carbine. I own one and will gladly trade you for that Underwood. Interested??? Huh? Uh, I'm guessing no. Congratulations on a great find.