National Postal Meter Value?

Can anyone suggest a value based on these pictures? I am considering buying.

National Postal Meter with IBM barrel and not import marked.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e80775f6-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0c7f482f-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1dcda0c7-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...e042b080-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...08605ee2-1.jpg


Here is what happened to my old one thanks to a Tulammo double charge. No one hurt but my hand is still sore.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...152356_n-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...01/m1x11-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC_0045-1.jpg

Ouch! I followed your posts on CMP! Pre-panic value $650 to $800, now, best check Gunbroker for similar sales WITH bids, or the CMP WTS forum.

NSMI,

Welcome to our forum.

That ammo has been discussed, Glad to hear you are all right.

You should be able to salvage some parts off your old one.

I am guessing carbine prices might start to climb. If serious, sooner then later will probably save you some money.

Good hunting.

Jim

wow that looked bad, glad you are OK. IMO at least 800 in value

425XXXX was the last batch and IBM barrels were used on most of that last batch. Some people think that the NPM were the best quality based on Ruth's books and his opinion. I find a nice finish on mine. Mine has what is probably the original TH as well as barrel. My stock is an Inland I cut. I'm trying to recall what CMP charged for the SG...$395??? The example you show looks to be a nice piece it is probably worth $7-800 today?

The cheapest carbines CMP sold were the rack grade Inlands at $419. I think the next step up was $495 with the rarer ones and Winchesters being in the $600+ range.

Here's pricing on the CMP "service grade" from July 15, 2007:
(formatting was lost - but not too hard to figure out) - Bob

MI CARBINE SERVICE GRADE

ITEM MANUFACTURER PRICE COMMENTS**
R017IN INLAND $495.00
S&H - $22.95 This manufacturer is now sold out - May 18, 2007.
R017UD UNDERWOOD $565.00
S&H - $22.95 Accepting orders beginning 4 Sept 2007
R017WIN WINCHESTER $675.00* Accepting orders beginning January 2008
R017Q QUALITY HARDWARE $565.00 Accepting orders beginning April 2008
R017ST STANDARD PRODUCTS $575.00 Accepting orders beginning July 2008
R017NP NATIONAL POSTAL METER $575.00 Accepting orders beginning August 2008
R017IBM IBM $575.00 Accepting orders beginning October 2008
R017SA SAGINAW SG $575.00 Accepting orders beginning January 2009
R017SG SAGINAW S'G' (GRAND RAPIDS) $675.00 Accepting orders beginning March 2009
R017RO ROCKOLA $675.00 Accepting orders beginning April 2009
R017IP IRWIN PEDERSON Auction Auction Only
AUCTION *** Auction Auction Only
NOTE: ABOVE PRICES ARE ESTIMATES ONLY.* SUBJECT TO CHANGE PRIOR TO RELEASE DATE. *

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nsmi

Here is what happened to my old one thanks to a Tulammo double charge. No one hurt but my hand is still sore.

---

How did you determine it was an ammo double charge? I saw very similar explosions in other articles where the rifle was sent to be examined by proffesionals. The paperwork results posted on some of those topics suggested the barrel was defective from manufaturer. It was also stated there was improper quality control issues in the manufacturing of that and similar barrels. So I was wondering how you determined the ammo overcharge? I am only curious because I see a lot of that ammo for sale and read about folks trying it out for the first time, so I am very interested in your statement about the ammo being proven the culprit here. Just trying to ask a question, I wasn't trying to sound all leagal eagle on you or anything, just curious??

NSMI
A friend just just took a quick glance at your picture, without reading anything......
He asked:
"Did he have a squib in the barrel?"

Me asking:
Are the bolt lugs OK?

Also very happy no one was hurt.

Charlie-Painter777 Up near Lansing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HILLBILLY-06

How did you determine it was an ammo double charge?

---

The way the case split and the primer is deformed. Tulammo agreed it looked like an over charge.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC_0011-1.jpg

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------

No Squib, the round cleared the barrel. More pictures of the rifle here

NSMI,
Passing along some info I learned here when I was getting ready to buy my first NPM.
I was wondering if the barrel was correct on the NPM.

All barrels used by NPM will have what I've come to call the NPM Punch Mark.
This Punch Mark will be found close to the stamped P on the barrel.

Here's a link that will help if your wondering about the barrel on the NPM your looking at:
Help needed for correct barrel for NPM

HTH,
Charlie-Painter777

Thanks Charlie, I enjoy the history behind these as much as shooting them. I'm going to take a look at the rifle tomorrow or Tuesday. I'll post pictures and questions from there.

I have NPM 4,220,xxx with Underwood 1-44 barrel. The gun is so original inside and out with correct type 1 band and front and rear sights never removed or altered, that I believe it is the original barrel. P and punch mark as well.

Seller backed out on the National Postal.

I'm going to take a look at a Saginaw and Winchester tomorrow.

Can anything be told from these limited pictures?

I'll likely buy one of them.

Winchester
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...8f009375-1.jpg

Saginaw Gear
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...bd9f7e23-1.jpg

There is just so much you can't tell by a picture. Parts and markings, hammer marks, muzzle wear, finish, how smooth does it operate is it gummed up?

From those pictures it appears both have been through a rebuild.
The Winchester has more finish wear, SG most likely refinished.
Winchester has a pressed rear sight, SG has a Milled.
I cut stock on the SG has a nicer grain then the O cut on the Winchester, but the Winchester doesn't looked cleaned to see very well. Other side usually has rack marks, that is not shown.
SG has a sling and oiler, Winchester not.
Both have a flip safety, and type three bands.

More people want a Winchester name the Saganaw. I would want the best carbine. You need to hold and examine them.

I'm not a reloader so I don't know, but is it physically possible to double-charge the .30 Carbine case? Seems like it would be pretty full with the single charge.

It fills it up pretty well, same with 2400. You might get 1 1/8 load but that's all. I suppose if someone wanted to fool around with bullseye, you could pack about 4X in that case. That would blow it sky high.

Having just loaded about 300+ rounds using both 2400 and 296, I can say that no way a double charge will fit in a 30 carbine case.

But Joe Duffuss could pack about 20 grains of Bullseye or Red Dot in there and it would blow like a grenade. I've seen a double load of Bullseye blow the cylinder and top strap off a S&W .38. That's about 6-8 grains, a tiny amount. The reason why I use a bullet board and LOOK inside every one I make.