African Carbines

[ssgross]

Picked up my Underwood today from classicfirearms.com. My matching typewriter should be in early next week Here is the carbine as I took it out of the box. I'll tear it down and clean it up hopefully this weekend or next week, and post more pics.

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NPM stock, can just make out the stamp, and Trimble in the sling recess.

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Barrel stamp is faint, but can make out Underwood under a bright light, and an ordnance bomb stamped off-center.

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Faint arsenal refurbish stamp in front of the wrist? SAA?

Information

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[USGI]

I think it's neat! SAA is for San Antonio Arsenal. The front sight could be marked near the muzzle. Does the Type 2 at the rear have any markings on it? - Bob

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[Singer B]

Nice high-wood I cut. Is it the correct stock?

[ssgross]

...and the magazine is held nice and tight without any rattle, unlike my Midway NPM. I'm sure it will loosen a bit once I clean all the grime and sand laden grease out.

[ssgross]

he front sight could be marked near the muzzle. Does the Type 2 at the rear have any markings on it?

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looks like R P.

[lboos]

Sure would like to see it when it's all cleaned up, bet it will look nice.

[JohnnyDollar]

Congrats on the carbine.

Looking forward to seeing the after cleanup photos.

and a range report.

[ssgross]

and a range report.

As of now, the action is pretty loose in the stock - with trigger pulled the whole thing slides and rotates slightly, and the movement can be felt in my trigger finger. I'm hoping it's just that things aren't tightened up, and that after cleaning properly fitting up all will be well.
Fingers crossed it gets cleaned up today. I was going to let my 12 year old boy have the honor of tearing it down by himself, which he promised he would as soon as I fix some of his old Atari cartridges.
This rifle serial number is in the second block of production, 2.601mil. Can't wait till Tuesday. My matching typewriter comes in. It has serial 1546673 which, according to https://typewriterdatabase.com/under...umber-database, puts it very very late in 1942 pruduction, just before they shut down to make rifles. Some typewriter eye candy from the auction. It was a steal at $75.
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Some keys are froze up, nothing a little kroil can't handle I think. By the looks of the sample page, the platen is likely still soft and just needs a new ribbon.

[ssgross]

it's a parts rifle. Trigger housing is milled, stamped inland. Hammer is MC. The rest is crusted in dried grease and dirt. Everything soaking now. The little guy didn't bugger any screws, or slip the punch, not once Mighty proud of him.

[ssgross]

Because of the evidence of light surface rust on some of the exterior, I drifted off the rear sight after a kroil soak over lunch. The front sight pin came right out after one smart wrap of a starter punch, and the front sight drifted off easily with a hardwood dowel and muzzle placed on an old hockey puck. The key took a soak, but came right out too. easy peasy!

Here is the bore...haven't touched it yet.
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Pics are of the crown, next 2 pics are middle third, then gas port obviously, the throat, and chamber.
here is a bore video


Looks promising. Tool marks still visible on the lands and only light surface etching in some places, no real pitting. Time to scrub! Where did my helper go?