first carbine unboxing

[tenOC]

I really don't believe it was anything other than too many people selecting something they weren't going to get, because there weren't enough of them, and the system gliched. Some people got one because that was the number available.

[ssgross]

pics...finally. I haven't touched the rifle till now since I took it out of the box.
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[ssgross]

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I didn't see any markings on the bolt. There was what looked like maybe 2 dimples top towards the head, but there is plenty of dried grease so I'm not sure.

There is a scuff on barrel that will likely come out when I degrease and recoil...lots of dried oil and grease. Other than this, the exposed finish as well as that covered by wood is darn near 100%.

This one was graded "very good to fine". After reading the grade descriptions, I think this missed the cut only because of the dings in the stock.

Next up, some pics of the bore, then scrub a dub dub, and some pics all cleaned up.

[Ben Cartwright]

Very nice piece! The stock is nicer than mine

[ssgross]

I'm very happy with it. From what I see and have read, this rifle made the rear sight swap at the end of the war and wasn't touched since? which is as-advertised. I wonder if anybody got one with the original flip sights. hopefully the bore is equally nice. bolt is butter smooth. In fact, my kids made a comment about the sound it makes sounding like "the movies". I've always thought the movie sounds of racking any bolt sounded artificial, as I've never heard it in any rifle. Sure enough, played a couple scenes from some famous past and recent movies on YouTube and bingo. same sound as the m1 carbine in my hands.

[Singer B]

The Marlin stamp on the barrel is pretty cool. Never seen one like that before.

[jimb16]

Is that an Underwood trigger housing? .U. on top rear of mag well? I thought I saw an underwood ord. bomb on the trigger guard.

[ssgross]

Closer look, there are no markings on the mag well. there are several dings or imperfections. I think I see what you meant, on the right side just above the safety?
On the trigger guard, the mark is almost a complete circle. The right leg of what might look like a "U" starts to curve inward with the same radius as the bottom.

---------- Post added at 09:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 PM ----------

learning where to look here http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/triggergroup1.html and wiping away all the grease on the inside rear of the mag well, I see -U- in the center, right where it was supposed to be. It is indeed an underwood trigger housing.

[jimb16]

What is on the trigger guard is an ordnance bomb. Very often they are only partial stampings. That is usually a clue to look for the .U. in the mag well. Underwood also put that ord. bomb on the top of the slide handle right beside the slide lock pin hole.

[ssgross]

I wonder if it left the factory with an Underwood trigger housing. Suppose it's plausible - https://m1family.com/a-little-histor...bines-t21.html shows several confirmed shipments of parts from other contractors. I won't be swapping it out. With a bill of sale from midway, and only one civilian owner (me), it is as it was used and I think these midway carbines will retain their value without alteration for that reason. I certainly won't be spending another $300+ on an NPM trigger group. If mine doesn't shoot like it was supposed to, I'll be selling it and will keep searching for a parts queen or other that does. Heck, I was about to give up a few months ago and buy a Fulton armory repro new and then saw threads here about the upcoming midway sale.

---------- Post added at 01:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:17 PM ----------

Underwood also put that ord. bomb on the top of the slide handle right beside the slide lock pin hole.

nothing on this slide handle, but will do a double take to confirm.