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[chip T]

This is the first time I have posted on this forum. I used to post quite a bit on Jouster but just never made the journey over here. Well, This past weekend at the Birmingham show I was sitting in the back row talking with a friend when a guy walked in thru the back door with 3 carbines. 1 M1A1 all correct mid 44 asking $3500. I thought it was a fair price for the condition and originality but I already have a few so I passed. He also had a Quality Hardware but it was refinished so I too passed. Lastly he had a NPM which after taking it all apart appears to be 99% original.

SN 1,456,000, high wood 3-43 underwood barrel, flat blued bolt, flip sight, push button and all early features...except, the dog leg hammer. The hammer is a type 3 marked HN (i think, its not in front of me now) anyway, the hammer is a NPM, just not right for this serial number range. So, heres the question what is the correct hammer for this serial number range? Is it a type 1 marked H1?

And if I could be so bold...who's got one for sale or trade. I have some early carbine parts, doglegs and BEAUTIFUL flat blued bolts.

I have posted some pictures of another NPM that y'all might find interesting. Found this one in a pawn shop about 15 years ago for $600. Damn expensive at the time but I think you will agree it is almost priceless now. This one was one of the first 500 that NPM made with mostly Inland parts.

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[Bill Hollinger]

Sweet!

And, welcome aboard! Please stay and enjoy.

[Bubba-7]

Thanks,
I am sure Marcus is crying right now. I bet he can't believe he missed one.
I have always believed the carbines sent to the second wave manufacturrers were for training of their employees. No telling how many times they were put together and disassembled before Underwood got into production of their own and let them go. This way when Underwood got into production, empolyees already knew how to assemble them.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Outstanding NPM Chip! (Excellent photos too)

It's great to 'see' you again! Many of us from the old 'Jouster Carbine Forum days' are still here.
I hope you'll become a regular, and also post more photos of your extraordinary carbines when you have time. (Plus, we need all the help we can get keeping 'Bubba-7' in line)

PS - Why are so many great M1 carbines in Bama???
I drove to Birmingham from Dallas to attend the first Carbine Show and it turned out to be well worth the drive -
It goes without saying the carbines in the contest were beyond belief, but I was amazed at the huge numbers of carbines on sale tables from local folks.
(It was wall-to-wall carbines!)

~ Harlan

[chip T]

Hello Harlan,

I agree, there do seem to be an extraordinary number of carbines at the Birmingham shows. I've been going for 20 years and it has always been that way. It may have something to do with Anniston being just down the road but I believe its just because Birmingham is centrally located amoungst lots of southern states.

Yeah, Paul Imbragulio did a bang up job of putting on a fine carbine show, I had 2 or three of my carbines on display one being the NPM pictured above. Paul told me that was the last show he was going to do in Birmingham...he may try to put one on in OH but I have not heard from him since this summer and dont know what his plans are.

Also, at this same show was one other nice M1A1 and something you dont see much....a loose M1A1 stock. Price was $1500. I offered $1200 but no luck he was firm at $1500.