New to me NPM

[Silens]

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?

Information

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[Dstout]

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

[303Nut]

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.

[Silens]

even if it is import marked.

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.

[Wulf]

What do you mean 'Import Marked'?

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.

[Silens]

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

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Silens,

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

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.

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

[Silens]

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

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

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

[painter777]

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

[Silens]

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.

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.