Underwood M-1 Carbine

[loose noose]

Just the other day I went into a brand new LGS to drop off some of my business cards, and noticed a very clean Underwood M-1 .30 Carbine for sale. They are asking just under $1100.00 for it. It appears it have the original stock, however it has been redone, but very professionally, you can still see the numbers and letters, as well as having been re-blued; it has an aftermarket sling and oiler Further it looks like the serial numbers all match. Dang that thing keeps pulling me back, my question is, do you folks think it would be worth my while forking over say $1000 and taking it home with me?

BTW it appears to have been made in 1943.

 

[Jackal]

If its been re-blued and refinished, its collector value is likely toast. It is now an $1100 shooter. Around here, that'd sell for around $650.

 

[tark]

times 2 for post #2.

 

[loose noose]

Thanks Tark, and Jackal, that is what I was thinking, dang it sure is pretty little gem though.

 

[WVsig]

As others have said it is too much. The refinishing had ruined the collector value but it would make a nice shooter for the right price.

 

[Reloadron]

Nice clean ones around here run in the $800 to $1,000 and every M1 Carbine I have seen with very few exceptions is an arsenal rework. If I saw a few at $650 which were original GI manufacture I would buy a few in a heartbeat. I don't know that I would go a grand unless I really wanted the rifle. I do see the aftermarket non GI guns in the $650 range around here like a Universal or National Ordinance. Little carbines have gone up over the years. A Google of "M1 carbine for sale" should give you an idea of local and pricing across the country.

Ron

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I have mostly been a bottom feeder when adding to my collection (that is I look for underpriced gems) but on occasion I have paid fair market price or even above market for a rare or pristine model I ran across. One such is a 1903 Springfield from the National Match competition awarded to a competitor by his company commander with a nameplate attached to the stock with little evidence having many rounds cycled through it. As I like to say, "they aren't making them anymore" so when you find something that you would like to own and the opportunities to buy one are limited you have to make the move. However, that does not mean playing the fool and overpaying for something that probably does not rise to the value of the price. For what you have described I would probably try to get them down a few hundred dollars. My method is to watch something I have an interest in purchasing and if it sets a few months then make a few overtures to the shop owner about "let's make a deal". How much he is willing to move probably depends on what he has in it. I have an Underwood 03A3 and it would be nice to have a carbine to go with it but I don't think I would jump at the price to add to the reunion.

 

[HankC]

If its been re-blued and refinished, its collector value is likely toast. It is now an $1100 shooter. Around here, that'd sell for around $650.

Buy it at shooter price, shoot and roll in the sand for a few years, when the finish wear again, you have a gun with collector look!

 

[Jackal]

Now, whats really funny is that a typewriter company established in the early 1900's could build better rifles than many of our modern day manufacturers...

 

[loose noose]

Hank C, ya got that right, to bad the prior party had to refinish the arm, the stock and the receiver serial numbers all match, and I'll bet you that the bolt does too, I just might go and ask to disassemble the arm, it won't hurt to ask. They are pretty firm on the price. Just met them Wednesday and they seem like very nice people. Pointed out that the carbine had been refinished, and they stated as I noticed, "who ever did it, did a pretty good job". Reckon I'll just get that out of my mind. After all I do have a .30 Carbine that is a great shooter of no collector value already.

 

[nathan]

$800 is a good price on these.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Go on the CMP forum and see what the mixmasters are selling for.

I watch that forum as I buy parts there. Every week or so a nice shooter will pop up there for $850.

The barrel is what you want to check first. Import stamped, $750. Muzzle wear over 2, $700. Non USGI parts $650 and so on. Repark and sanded/refinished stock adds nothing to a shooter. I just sold an import stamped Inland for $650 that had a worn barrel. It had some non GI parts and an aftermarket stock. Ran great.