New guy with NPM M1 Carbine

[Clay]

Hello! I new to this forum, but not the interwebz. Over the weekend I was able to pick up a new rifle that Ive been wanting for a while now. I purchased a National Postal Meter M1 Carbine. After shooting one recently on the anniversary of D-Day, it was immediately added to my 'must have list'. There are LOTS I dont know about this rifle, so Im out to find out everything I can. Right now my biggest questions are:

1) where the heck did that sling come from? It has some kind of chinese (Korean? or who knows) characters on it??

2) when was it manufactured. Serial number is 1,457,873

3) What kind of stock is on it? I cant find any cartouche markings, and its surface is pretty rough.

Anyway, I cant wait to get out and put some lead down range.

Here are some pictures:

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[dnikkor]

I saw you post your pics & questions on the CMP forum, so I won't repeat the answers given there. It does look like you have a pretty nice post-war M2 "potbelly" stock. Probably just needs a little BLO on it.

[Clay]

will the BLO help to smooth out the stock at all? It really has a 'rough saw' feel to it. I also need to really give it a good once over to try and find some kind of markings on the stock.

Also, Im not a big fan of cross posting things, but Im trying to find a "home", and the CMP forums really didnt seem like the best place, as I noticed later that its really geared towards their sales, which I didnt buy from them.

thanks!
clay

[dnikkor]

I would suggest checking out the CMP forum "sticky", which covers your stock issues in depth. New Page 1

This Jouster forum is also very helpful.

[Derrick R.]

The stock looks like a S. Korean made stock. I dont know what kind of wood they use but its rough and seems to be alittle brittle. Any import markings on the barrel ? Derrick

[shadycon]

Serial # is the beginning of 1st production run. I don't have my date sheet with me.

[Clay]

Nope, no import marks at all, which is fine by me!

[Clay]

More info:

well, I cant find any import marks that Im sure of.

There are NO marks on the stock that I can find.

I was able to make out "Underwood" and a flaming bomb on the barrel. There is a flaming bomb, and part of the "inland" logo on the trigger housing. The receiver is obviously a National Postal Meter (just says Postal Meter). The barrel band is the newer style with a bayonet lug, and has "SA" stamped on it. Rear sight is later style adjustable with IR CO stamped on it.

So it looks like its obviously been through an arsenal. but other than that who knows.

So my next question is: If it were an import, is this a good thing, a bad thing, or who cares? It has all military parts, which I consider a good thing.

thanks,
clay

[ScottR]

Most people look at import stamps as a negative. Two tier valuation, import marked and non import.

[FTD1167]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=135008126
mohogany, made in southeast asia "Phillipines" maybe. For Korea.