Underwood M1 Carbine evaluation

[jasonafair]

I would have sworn I responded last night. Maybe the forum really doesn't like smart phones.
Yes, that's a hole. The hand guard looks like nails not rivets. I hope to have it cleaned and reassembled soon. Even with it's flaws, I should be able to at least get what I paid for if it I let it go.
Any advice/opinions on what could use work besides the furniture?

[browningautorifle]

Yep, those are nails and a piece of sheet steel on the handguard.

[A Seabee]

I'd get a repro folding stock and make it a truck gun (if I lived in a (still) free state)

[Bruce McAskill]

That's it Bob. Each one dragged behind Charlie and his camel a required 20 miles before issue in Ethiopia.

[painter777]

Looks like the RTI's
But would have their electro penciled import marking.

This hand guard must have been home made, having no holes thru the top...... or something made from a Commercial?

I'm curious Why the hole inside the Trigger loop?

Maybe a Magcatch to Safety Spring Plunger locked up?
Or a Plunger tip pulled off?
Then maybe drilled thru the front hole to remove ?

Remember the hand guard I pulled from a bulk box of them. It was home made by some one-

[jasonafair]

If it is a Merex import, would they have been bringing them in from Ethiopia in the 80-90's? I was just going to do a field strip but think I'll go ahead and break down the trigger assembly to see what else is there. If it is a home made hand guard, anybody have an Underwood one laying around for a good price? Or even better maybe an entire Underwood stock. Judging by the butt plate this isn't an Underwood stock. Please correct me if am incorrect. I think Numrich has used GI hand guards for $25 that I'll get as last resort gamble for condition/company.

[browningautorifle]

anybody have an Underwood one laying around for a good price? Or even better maybe an entire Underwood stock.

Why not place a WTB ad here in the forum provided and see. These guys have everything.

[painter777]

If it is a Merex import, would they have been bringing them in from Ethiopia in the 80-90's?

No it's not a RTI from the recent imports from Ethee ooo p ahh.
I've been looking to see where Merex brought them in from, but haven't found it yet.

Your stock appears to be what many call a M2 Potbelly. It has the Selector cut for the Happy lever on the left side.
If no letter marking in the left slingwell, you may find SA stamped on the top edge of the front barrel channel nose on the left side / front.
If there is a (SA) it would be a post WWII stock made by Springfield Armory.

Your hand guard wasn't made by any Military IMO. Most all, including those made in SE Asia had the Rivet holes. But stranger things have been seen.
When you tear the trigger housing apart look behind your removed Mag catch to see if the hole has been enlarged (Drilled)
I'm still curious about the hole in the trigger loop....... Never seen that before.

You can search Ebay and GB for stocks and hand guards....... be cautious of Faked Crossed Cannon Stamps.

While looking I just came across a home made HG with NO rivets and NO rear metal tab.
Appears home made:







M1 Carbine upper hand guard raw unfinished | eBay

[USGI]

These guys still have a few handguards left, but the prices are rising. Figure on paying an extra $10 for shipping, but you'll receive a genuine item. You'll need to call them to see if they have what you want. I've got good deals on eBay, too - prices have gone up a bunch since then!

https://whatacountry.com/m1carbinehandguard.aspx

[DaveHH]

Man, I wouldn't change a thing on that gun. I even leave the rivet in place in the band. It is a thing of beauty in its own way. New slide, old this, new that, anything to keep it running. I'll bet it shoots lights out too. Clean up and oil the stock and shoot it. It deserves to live not be a so-so correction.