After sequence "B" Underwood break down

[imarangemaster]

Underwood "B", Serial Number 2659753. Reciever with single stake in front of rear sight bridge. Barrel marked "Underwood" and "12-43" then has ordnance bomb below that and "P" about an inch below that.

Muzzel is great. An M2 30-06 ball round shows at least 3/16 inch, maybe more. It has been a year since I checked it.

Front Sight, Type II with "U" on front face.

Barrel band, Type III with "C" on left side

Rear sight Type II with a shield with an H in it. On the top of the barrel under the handguard is a very small stamp that appears to be possibly a Israeli character and a 4.

trigger housing is an Inland with the inland emblem on its side, no oil hole behind mag catch.

Hammer, Type III with "I-I"
Didn't break down trigger and disconnector
Safety Type IV flip with "EI"
Mag catch type IV with M but no other marking
Recoil spring 10 1/4" long

Bolt Round, worn bluing, no oil hole, marked "OI" or "IO" on lug
Type II ejector, possibly Type II firing pin.

Slide Type V with "PI" inside and "7160091" on bottom

Stock NPM over FJA with 1/2" cannon cartouche in front of it. "TR?" in top edge of sling well. Handguard 4 rivet type with "HI" on edge.
Recoil lug Type III marked "LN" on bottom. Buttplate: ? beat up, I can't tell them apart anyway! Stock has the serial number stamped in the left side infront of the slingwell, with traces of yellowed white paint in the numbers.

Finish and patina on all parts matches very closely, except maybe magazine catch has a little less wear. The bolt is a very worn blue (about 35% finish).

Let me know if I forgot anything.

Shoots like a dream. If I ever find a carbine match in my neck of the woods, I think I will give her a spin.

Information

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[imarangemaster]

I have also noticed what appears to be traces of black paint on the front sight, rear sight and a few other nooks and crannies, including inside the op rod. I know it was common for IDF to paint their SMLEs, Mausers, UZIs, Stens, M3 grease guns, MP38s and 40s, and even sometimes Galils black in the same way Eastern Block paints their AKs, and British their weapons, rather than parkerizing them. It is a cheap and relatively effective way to finish weapons. My Saiga is painted. I suspect that this Underwood was stripped prior to or just after re-importation. I handled another Israeli re-import National Postal Meter M1 Carbine, and it was still painted what I would call "Sten Black."

With the Israeli style serial number stamping on the stock, traces of the black paint, what appears to be the Hebrew character (kind of like a funky 7) under the handguard on the barrel, and how well cared for it was compared to other imports (except for maybe Bavarian), I believe it probably was a Mash Az Civil Guard weapon. Doesn't really add to value any, if at all, but still cool. On one of the Israeli police or IDF web sites, it still lists the M1 carbine as an issue weapon for Mash Az.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Besides being a somewhat rare variant, it sound like your carbine has held a long and colorful life!

(Boy, I wish that one could talk!)

[imarangemaster]

Thanks!

The first center fire rifle I ever fired was in 1960 when I was 8, was an M1 Carbine. I have an affinity for them ever since. I also grew up knowing my dad and two uncles had carried them in WW2.

While I am not a collector, I have generally had at least one M-1 carbine continuously since about 1981. I used it as an LE trunk gun for years, and generally use one for a house/farm gun. I have taken deer with a carbine, also, so I know they can be lethal.

I admit I am fonder of this one than any I have had, and it is the best shooter. I do wish it could talk. A while back, I had a late Inland with original Type II sight and barrel band, and I liked it, as that is what my dad carried on Iwo Jima. It was well used, but the problem was a bad bore and minute of milk jug accuracy at 25 yards! It would not even pass on the 25 yard target the used for checking after re-build. I found it a good home and got this Underwood.