Desiring M1 Carbine knowledge

[imarangemaster]

I think my Underwood has a NPM stock, but they were often swapped around, especially after the war. The matching serial number on the stock was a common Israeli addition, so it was probably applied after the stock was swapped.

How does yours shoot? Mine, as I said, is the tightest shooting carbine I have ever owned. Of course, I generally only own one M1 Carbine at a time, though I try to always have one continuously for over 27 years, now.

[painter777]

Skyman,
Your carbine falls into the 2nd assigned serial number block for Underwood. Which starts with serial# 2,352,520-2,912,519, we commonly call this the Underwood 2 million block. Things start getting a little tricky with this block. At this time during production Underwood was having to have Sub Contractors make receivers for them. Just to keep up with production. To make matters even more confusing there was a overlap while they were building the later part of their 4 million serial block. So basically both the 2 and 4 million blocks were being made at one point at the same time.
The thing to remember about the 2 million block is that most of these were sub contracted receivers. 4 companies supplied these receivers.

Please note these numbers and dates are aprox...

The T marked receivers made by Intertype....
Serial numbers 2,355,000-2,400,000 were made from late June of 43 to mid April of 44.

The W marked receivers made by Universal Windings....
Serial range.. 2,401,000-2,491,000 made from early Nov 43 to early April of 44.

The S marked receivers made by United Shoe MFG,
Serial range 2,577,000-2,599,000 made from early July of 43 to the last of January of 44.

The B marked receivers made by Singer MFG,
Serial range 2,630,000-2,655,000 made from early August of 43 to late March/early April of 44.

The end of this serial block was credited to Underwood making the last receivers from 2,700,000-2,912,519. These were made from August of 43 to April of 44.

It's important to note that during this 2 million serial block that Winchester reportedly bought thousands of receivers from Underwood.

There is a over lap while building all of the sub contract receivers ( T, W,S,B) and production of Underwoods 4 million serial block. The 4 million block was started about Dec of 42 and ran until about the end of Sep of 43. Underwood then started back up and completed the last of the 4 mil block from Feb of 44 to early April of 44.

I know this gets confusing...but bottom line- Underwood was building some assigned serial number blocks at the same time out of sequence.

Your Stock,
If your stock is marked OI in the slingwell it is a stock made by the S.E. Overton Co for Inland Div of General motors. It would be a replacement stock.
Unless it's been worn or sanded off it should have a Ordnance Stamp on the right side near the oiler slot we call a Crossed Cannon Cartouche. The 'Avatar' I use is a Inland stamp.
Your carbine sounds as though it is a rebuild. The original stock may have been damaged thus it was replaced.

Your Barrel,
Falls with in the correct time frame and more than likely is the original.

Your Serial Number,
The charts I have show that B coded receivers only go up as high as 2,655,000. You report your's is a 2,676,xxx. Look closely at the stamped UNDERWOOD name on your receiver. Make sure it doesn't have a line struck thru it.
Either way a coded Underwood carbine makes for a nice keeper.

If your just starting out collecting carbines. I suggest you buy the book;

U.S, M1 Carbines,
Wartime
Production.
By Craig Riesch
It's a paperback that runs under $20. Well worth having around to get started with.

Enjoy that carbine...
please share pictures...

HTH
Charlie-painter777

[painter777]

Skyman,
A couple last things....
If you plan to break your carbine down. I wouldn't worry about taking the gas piston and nut off. If the piston moves freely, you should be fine. Also grease the barrel in front of your bayo band. That way when you loosen it and slide it forward you won't scratch the barrel. If you don't have a bolt tool....DON'T try taking the bolt apart.
Don't remove the escutheon nut from the bottom of the stock. No reason to. It may very well chip or splinter the stock if you try.

HTH

Charlie-painter777

[skyman]

Imarangemaster, my carbine shoots nicely, I haven't grouped it yet, but I was repeatedly hitting (and busting up) a brick at 50 yds. I like those sights better than the open rears on my modern carbines.

Charlie, thanks for the details. That's a lot of good stuff there.

I double checked the receiver serial no. and it is 2676122. Doesn't seem to fall in any of the ranges you listed by the various receiver makers, though the barrel is dated March '44 It does say "UNDERWOOD" under the rear sight and I can't see any mark through it. And, there is a "B" stamped beneath the ser. no. on the receiver also.

The mark in the sling well reads IO, but I guess it could be read upside down? to get OI.

One other thing I didn't mention in the original post- there is a "P" stamped on top of the barrel about 1 1/2" below the barrel ser. no.

I will have to try and get a copy of the book.

Thanks again,

Skyman

[shadycon]

Go to North cape publications for the book Charlie talked about.

[phil441]

Israel is known to have stamped the S/Ns on the stocks. I have an Italian return Underwood with the same treatment except for the numbers being stamped between the sling well and the butt plate. I suppose any using country could have done the same, so it probably doesn't mean much.
Enjoy it.

Phil

[phil441]

Oh, and Charlie I've noticed we've been seeing quite a few over-range serial numbers on the B code Underwoods. When I first listed my 2655510 on the Postman's list on the CMP forum it was a bit of an oddity. Not any more. Ain't Underwoods fun to track?

Phil

[painter777]

Hey Phil,
Your B code would be.......510 after the end of the list I have.
But Skyman has one at 2676122. By far the highest numbered B code I've heard about.
I might start a new post to see who can report the highest B code.

Thanks
Charlie

[phil441]

Charlie, Here are the latest over-range B-code S/Ns from The Postman's list:

2655510 Underwood (B)
2658611 Underwood (B)
2661567 Underwood (B)
2664913 Underwood (B)
2673584 Underwood (B)
2679249 Underwood (B)
2678691 Underwood (B)
2679815 Underwood (B)
2680688 Underwood (B)
2682354 Underwood (B)

Strange animals, these Underwoods.

Phil

[imarangemaster]

Looks like my B code Underwood should be on that list. #2659753. I can send photo to someone if needed.