1943 underwood

[2hogluckydog]

I have 1943 underwood ser#2903484.
My question is was the receiver and barrel ever blued on this gun.
Or should it be parkerized. I bought this gun for 350.00. The only part that i can find
not underwood is the bolt witch is inland and recoil plate witch is winchester.

Now this is what bubba did.

He had the triger housing,triger,saftey,magazine catch,recoil plate,triger housing screw
but plate,barrel band,front sight,rear sight,bolt and slide (cromed).

Not much i can do with it but replace all parts.

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.

[imarangemaster]

Actually, you may be able to have the chrome plating reversed by a bumper shop (if yoy can find one). I knew a guy with a chromed 1865 Spencer, and he had the chrome reversed (I think they reverse the charge or something like that.)

[deldriver]

I can unfortunately imagine what this gun looks like. Anyway, from what I've read, Inland blued some very early carbine parts, but it simply didn't stand up to the conditions the carbine was meant to operate in. Most, but not all of your Underwood should be parkerized. I wouldn't replace anything to be honest. You got a great deal and there seems to be no reason to me to blow that replacing parts, but it's also your gun too.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

First off welcome to the carbine forum. Nice and helpful guys here. There are lots of old threads that might help you with some of your questions. There is a search feature in the tool bar you can use. Otherwise just ask, someone will usually come up with an answer for you. There are also books you can find that explain the particulars of the carbine. From Larry Ruth's "War Baby", a hardbound excellent book at $65. To the "US M1 Carbine Wartime Production" by Craig Riesch's, paperback and easy to carry, for about $20. Maybe not worth buying for only one carbine, but surely if you plan on more down the road.

For the price you got what you paid for. There are ways to remove "chrome". I have seen some bubba's soak the part in coke overnight. The acid ph2 removes it. I've seen oven cleaner sprayed on and wiped off. All do other things to the metal surface under the chrome. If it shoots good, I'd probably leave it alone and look for another in rebuilt condition. Changing out the parts could run you $300. Rebuilt carbines are anywhere from $650 and up depending on rarity and condition.

We like pictures here. Up in the sticky section is a tutorial on how to post pictures.

Enjoy our forum.

Jim

[Bruce McAskill]

The first thing I would suggest is that you look at the heel of the receiver to see if it's marked with A W. Let us know if it is. What is the date on the barrel? Just about any shop that does plating can remove the chrome from you parts for a small fee.

[DaveHH]

which removes the plating (chrome and nickel). The usual issue is that a small amount of the parent metal is removed to make room for the plating. Plating also weakens the parent metal as it is much harder than the parent metal. I'd go ahead and have it professionally removed, your parts might be fine afterward or could be rust pitted, who knows? There is usually a reason why a metal is plated beyond the stupidity of the owner.

[ABPOS]

I would love to see pics.

[2hogluckydog]

The first thing I would suggest is that you look at the heel of the receiver to see if it's marked with A W. Let us know if it is. What is the date on the barrel? Just about any shop that does plating can remove the chrome from you parts for a small fee.

First i would like to say thanks to all of you at the milsurp fourm.

The recever has no A W that i can see, the barrel has underwood what looks like a flaming bomb and a P under that.
I know where the date should be just can not see it.

I think when he chromed the other parts he allso blued the barrel and recever.

[Bruce McAskill]

With no makings on the bevel of the receiver means it is an Underwood carbine and not a receiver used by Winchester. Made about the beginning of March 1944. All the parts you listed are no high stress parts so getting the chrome off of them should be OK. Then just have the whole carbine parkerized and it will match. Then the value of it will be at least double what you paid for it. But as Dave said you just don't know what,s under the chrome.

[2hogluckydog]

With no makings on the bevel of the receiver means it is an Underwood carbine and not a receiver used by Winchester. Made about the beginning of March 1944. All the parts you listed are no high stress parts so getting the chrome off of them should be OK. Then just have the whole carbine parkerized and it will match. Then the value of it will be at least double what you paid for it. But as Dave said you just don't know what,s under the chrome.

Thanks: I think i will try to find new parts and keep them underwood. May take some time and money. Then i will repark.