In lieu of fireworks

"Twas the day past the fourth, it was quiet and strange...not a bolt was slid back, not a round sent down range."
Best I can do from here in the Northeast outpost where the temps are in the '90's and I'm nursing my knee replacement. It was cool in my cellar where my gun bench resides, so I thought I would bring up a denizen from the gun safe to share. Unsure of the date on this beautiful little IBM carbine, perhaps one of you experts can help me out.[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 101481[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dirigoboy

Unsure of the date on this

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Are you calling that a IBM just because the barrel is IBM ?

Seeing it has been through a rebuild at least once in it's life-
Without having a dated barrel.. Or knowing if that is the original barrel to the carbine, we need some more info:
Can you give us the serial number ?
You can replace the last 3 digits by typing in 3 X's if you feel you need to.
We can't go by beauty alone to date it.
That is a nice looking stock, possibly a Hi-wood that was cut down to a Low wood, just from looking at the top right rail where it meets the under side notch of the hand guard.
Can you see the markings in the left sling well cut ?
Any chance of seeing the internal parts or a description of their markings ?
Might there be a AO stamped on the rear bevel..... just forward of the Recoil plate?
*** LOOK closely under the rear sight. Very possible you may have a NPM Carbine there or AO for IBM. I think I only see 1 Op slide detach notch on the right. (Unless you have a early Spring Tube there). Maybe even a UN-Quality !!
Serial number will tell us.
You can't over due pictures !!

THx for bringing her around and I hope the knee hangs in there.... :wave:

"...In lieu of fireworks..." Trace, out of a belt fed MG, but I keep hearing cell doors slamming in my head.

A nice example probably from the NRA sales in the 60's? I can't understand why people turn up their nose at these nice rebuilds. All of the old parts are upgraded with the newest types, they are usually very low round carbines and shoot spot on. My NPM has one of these late IBM Corp barrels and it shoots great. Really a nice rifle.

This is the remaining stampings I could find on it. I assumed at first it was an IBM due to the barrel, but after breaking it down and examining further, the lack of stamps leads me to believe I have a mix and match. Anyway, I'm happy with it. [ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 101514[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

If that barrel has a P proof stamp on it, look for a 'Punch Mark' near it.
Will look like this ( . )
Most likely will be under the bayo band.
NPM often used these single Punch marks as their acceptance stamp. They didn't make their own barrels.

That U stamp makes this a Interesting Carbine, more to come.

Example: NPM Punch Mark
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC07166-1.jpg

Yup! As painter indicated it is a National Postal Meter/Union Switch and Signal carbine. Most likely date is late 43 to early 44. Around 50,000 of these receivers were received by NPM. Not rare, but somewhat less common. Barrel could be original. NPM did use a bunch of them. The RIA/EB stamp on the stock is an arsenal rebuild mark for Rock Island Armory. Nice looking post WWII rebuild!