New to me NPM

I just bought a National Postal Meter M1 Carbine circa '43. The guy told me to make an offer, so I did. $250. And he took it! It's in extremely good condition. It does not have a bayonet lug and has the flip up rear sight. National Postal Meter S/N 1504197. Barrel Stamp Underwood 6-43. Mark on the butt-stock is boxed NPM/FJA. My local gun store checked barrel erosion at 1.0 and it passed head space checks. Does anyone have any other information on this rifle and what is this rifle is actually worth?

I will give you what you paid for it plus shipping. :madsmile: Seriously, pictures would help but it sounds like you did very well, even if it is import marked.

It sounds like you did well and it would be worth much more than $250. From what you say, the parts sound correct but an expert should look at it to comfirm this.:)

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Originally Posted by Dstout

even if it is import marked.

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What do you mean 'Import Marked'?

My local gun store owner said he'd give me $800 and if I took to a gun show, to take no less than that.

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Originally Posted by Silens

What do you mean 'Import Marked'?

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The importer eould have stamped their name on usually the barrel. Someone like Blue Sky and there are several others. Sometimes it is very small and sometimes very light. If it is import stamped it can really kill the value. Although at the price you paid you did very well.

The only marking on the barrel is Underwood 6-43. Isn't that the manufacturer's mark?

Silens,

An average beat up, late featured Carbine is worth $500. So you know you did well. :thup:

Read someone said "even if import marked" you got a good deal. Doesn't at all mean it is. The seller obviously didn't know carbine values and you got a great deal. Some are marked length wise lightly stamped lightly, some like Blue Sky stamped very hard, some you have to take the gun out of the stock to see the marking elsewhere.

Take it down and see what the markings are on each part. If you don't know what the markings are, buy a book. Cheapest is Riesch I think the 6th edition is out now, about $20 on ebay. No book is 100% correct, but it will tell you what to look for and where.

Then you have $250 + $20 = $270 invested. If it has correct parts to the serial number range, marked correctly also, you will know. Don't know where you live, but maybe someone lives by you that can help out.

Your gun store guy offered $800 remember he wants to make a profit. He would have tried to sell it for more. Now I don't know how much he knows about Carbine's either. But from what you have mentioned it might be worth a bit more then you think. I have seen import marked with late features sell for $800, hard to believe I know.

Pictures of the parts when you break it down would be very helpful in someone giving you a better idea of value.

Or you could just triple your money and have 20 guys emailing you wanting to buy it. :D

My advice is to find out what you have first, and go from there. It could be a rebuild or it might be a good start to a collection.

Jim

From the way the guy talked it was given to him as a gift from his deceased wife's grandfather. So I don't believe it is a rebuild. I just borrowed a book from a friend who is into early war rifles and it all appears to match. I think I'm gonna keep it around for a while. I really like it. If the right offer was to come along I might be willing to part with it. I will try to get pictures up some time this week to get an appraisal from you all.

BTW

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Originally Posted by JimF4M1s

Then you have $250 + $20 = $270 invested.

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- He gave me 200 rounds of Winchester Super X also so I got $100 worth of ammo out of deal too. :super:

If it came with a real C tip sling and a few magazines, the value just went up.
A real C tip sling/ especially a marked one adds $$.
Some of the rarer mags can really add up also.
Even a oiler with correct markings is a big plus.

We look forward to some pictures.

Find out what you can about the Grandfathers service. Anything tying him to that carbine just adds to it's history. Dig for a picture of him with it in service.... That would be a awesome find.

To help ID parts go to this link and download a copy of the DATA SHEET.
If you can fill it out and mail it along, The Club would appreciate it....
The Carbine Club - A CMP Affiliated Organization

Enjoy and don't be hasty, No more being made, No more being sold by CMP...
Charlie-painter777

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Originally Posted by painter777

A real C tip sling/ especially a marked one adds $$.
Some of the rarer mags can really add up also.
Even a oiler with correct markings is a big plus.

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The sling is a C tip. It is marked 'KLIKIT Pull' with a six pointed star. On the back of the female piece are stamps 'RAUFASTENER CO. - Providence, RI' on the outside edge. There are no other markings on the sling that I can find.
The oiler is stamped 'IS' on the bottom.
The 15 round magazines don't appear to have any markings other than a 'U' on the rear and the 30 round has no markings at all.

FWIW, all of you have been very helpful. I really appreciate it.

Will someone post a full list of all the parts and markings I need to get pictures of ? Thanks.

So, after much deliberation, I think I'm going to sell my M1. I really want an M4/AR15. And I really have no use for this carbine. I'd rather someone get some use out of it who can really appreciate it, not that I don't, I'm just not much of a collector. I'm a shooter and I don't want to ruin such a nice rifle for plinking. What do you guys think? Bad idea?

My wife can't seem to find our camera anywhere. That's why pictures aren't up yet.

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Originally Posted by painter777

To help ID parts go to this link and download a copy of the DATA SHEET.
If you can fill it out and mail it along, The Club would appreciate it....
The Carbine Club - A CMP Affiliated Organization

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I have this all filled out. Can anyone price it off of this data sheet?

Silens,

Unfortunately there's really no way for anyone to give you more than an educated guess at the true value of your carbine without detailed photos.
The old saying; 'A picture is worth a 1000 words' applies about ten fold when trying to determine the approximate current market value of collectible guns, and the M1 carbine has more variables than most any gun that I know of.

If you have the ability, scan the data sheet you filled out and attach it to a post, or just make a post and all the markings you located.
If all the markings turn out to be 'correct' then we're really onto something!

Keep in mind M1 carbines have had a mystic about them to many people for years and prices have gone through the roof depending on maker, originality, (etc. to the tenth power!)
The problem here is that any time something becomes valuable, there are some people who will cash in and deceive.
There are 'fake' carbine parts and accessories out the wazoo today, and many of them have been produced for years now.
There are also many carbines that have been 'restored' so they look to be original.
(On and on...)
Your sling alone could be worth near $100 if rare and authentic, but it could be a $10 reproduction.
(We can usually tell for almost certain, or at least a good consensus if you provide good photos)

From your descriptions, and the story, your carbine sounds as if it might be very desirable, but please don't get your hopes up too much until you are able to post photos here.
All too often, 'We' get excited when we hear a story that sounds like someone stumbled blindly across a 'Holy Grail' but later when photos appear, the carbine turns out to be, well, 'less than envisioned' or a serious flaw jumps out and the new guy is then very disappointed.
The law of average is stacked against you.

That said,
Please take your time, or you could very well be kicking yourself later.
A true 'bring-back' carbine in original condition is very rare and can fetch well over $1000.
(Or how much someone is willing to pay!) :dancingbanana:

As Jim pointed out, you were extremely fortunate to buy a carbine in any condition for only $250. If you cannot locate your camera, or borrow one, I'd invest an inexpensive digital camera.
(Heck, you need your own camera anyway!)

This forum is an asset that is rarely found these days, There are many actual carbine experts here (not me) who are willing to help you for free!
They've (we've) spent hundreds of dollars on books alone, not to mention the many other financial headaches and heartaches over the years, 'fibs' to wives, stealing the kid's lunch money... :eek:

Sorry for the long dissertation Silensm, but this barely scratches the surface as far as researching these interesting weapons, and then assessing market value, or how much you should realistically expect your carbine to sell for.

Who knows; after you do more research you may get hooked and never think about speaking of an M1 carbine and one of those 'black guns' in the same sentence again! ;)

I'm looking forward and hoping for the best!

~ Harlan

I bought a camera last night. Pictures will be up soon. Thanks cafdaw.

Thank you all for the info. The guys at CMP got all straightened out for me.

Pictures were there for a while, now they are gone. Looked pretty nice.

A few things I noticed. Sling looked like a repo to me. Hammer was changed from dogleg to straight, stock cut down to low wood. All I saw before the pictures went away.

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Originally Posted by JimF4M1s

Pictures were there for a while, now they are gone. Looked pretty nice.

A few things I noticed. Sling looked like a repo to me. Hammer was changed from dogleg to straight, stock cut down to low wood. All I saw before the pictures went away.

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Sorry I didn't realize I deleted it.

<

You do have a nice carbine but at best it's a restoration. The stock has been through a rebuild at Underwood in the late 40's and that's where the large U came from. The stock also had a type 2 or 3 barrel band on it as can be seen by the makings on the stock from the later band and it has been cut down to a low wood from a high wood. The hammer is not correct for your carbine. Many of the parts are correct for your rifle and the value with the parts it has is close to what the dealer offered you.

Silens,

Very nice carbine. It's not the 'Holy Grail' but a very nice carbine. (Great photos too!)

Bruce is correct on all points, (as usual) :)

Jim is correct about the sling. It's a modern reproduction.

You still got a screaming deal. It's worth a little more than three times what you paid for it! :dancingbanana:

Has 'carbinitis' begun to set in yet? Having a hard time taking your eyes off of it, and a strange feeling you need another one or ten to go with it?
One member here has carbinitis so bad he was found passed out in bed hugging a carbine barrel like a Teddy Bear when he was seriously injured and near death. (True!)

I'd have a hard time parting with it.
Have you shot it yet?

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Originally Posted by cafdfw

Have you shot it yet?

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I shot it the day I bought it and this past weekend. It is very smooth and accurate. I am very pleased with it. Is it ok to shoot it regularly or should I put it up? I'm not much for collecting. I'd much rather have a shooter. During spring and summer we shoot every Saturday/Sunday. I would love to put it in the rotation.

Honor and respect your carbine. It may have been in harm’s way protecting US troops. If it could talk the stories it could tell may put tears in your eyes. But don’t think for a minute that is too old to go out and play. When you hold it to your shoulder to shot; think about those who have shot it before you.

Make that carbine happy put it in the rotation it will be smiling as you shot it.

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Originally Posted by Hercules Powder

Make that carbine happy put it in the rotation it will be smiling as you shot it.

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Can't be smiling more than I was. It is truly a pleasure to shoot. I really enjoy it.

FWIW, if I were you, I'd definitely keep it. You seem to enjoy shooting it, as do most of us, and for what you paid, you'll probably never do better.
They are great little rifles. Learn about it and it's history, and enjoy it. It's a nice one!

If you sell that sweet carbine you got for a song, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!
(And I'll keep reminding you that 'we told you so')

YES, definitely put it in the rotation! :thup:

~ Harlan

Ok. I'm keeping it. Thank you all for the help. It's much appreciated.

What case do you store and transport you M1 in? I've seen the 'US' WW2 era cases, but I didn't know if that was mainly novelty or what.

I was looking at this:

Ace Case

I use zipper cases. Here are about 30 I took off some guns to take the pictures. Some are mint, others worn, tabs have been replaced on a few that were missing, one has the front end extended. But all are WW2 vintage. Just seems the right thing to do. :D



https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/Cases1-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/Cases2-1.jpg

Jim, I can smell the dusty, musty odor from here!
Thanks.......

My NPM is only 7000 rifles older than yours and has the same 6-43 underwood barrel as yours. my wood is replaced mostly newer parts and I haven't fired it yet. bought it through CMP for $500 and no regrets. Next to my Garands it's a tooth pic, and is my home defense rifle of choice. The bad guys wear t-shirts here in florida....HA,HA,HA! Nice pictures by the way.

I looked over the pics that your posted and wanted to congratulate you on the great purchase. If you do decide to sell it please post it here or on CMP and don't stip it and go the Gunbroker route. I know I will try to be the first to say "I'll take it."

David

Man I have to agree with everything that was stated above. I must also say that you got one hell of a deal. Hang on to it, because more than likly you wont find a deal like that ever again.:beerchug: