Underwood bbl

[Publius]

I assume a 6 digit s/n Inland with an Underwood 8-44 bbl is not original. Is there anything interesting about the combo, or did the arsenals just combine any serviceable parts together during the rework process? This is a non-import that came from CMP years before the recent big flood of carbines from overseas. Thanks.

Information

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[Mike in NC]

You are right, this is not an original receiver / barrel combination. Underwood made lots of replacement barrels to be used as spare parts. Underwood was finished making carbines before 8-44. Any chance it might be a 3-44 where the "3" looks like an "8"?

Was this from the CMP sales in 2003 or those sold to clubs before that time?

Any way, it looks like a nice receiver with crisp markings from the picture.

[painter777]

Looks like a cast recoil plate and the stock has the M2 cut.
Nice looking receiver though.
Be interesting to see if the barrel is a 3-44.
What type of parts are inside?

Charlie-painter777

[lbelflowers]

Underwood was awarded a contract, after their carbine contract was cancelled, for replacement parts. Barrels were a top priority,seems like the contract ran through Oct.1944. At one point Underwood was putting out 7000 barrels a day.

Page 365 of War Baby,in the opening paragraph tells of the contact.

Loren

[Publius]

You are right, this is not an original receiver / barrel combination. Underwood made lots of replacement barrels to be used as spare parts. Underwood was finished making carbines before 8-44. Any chance it might be a 3-44 where the "3" looks like an "8"?

Was this from the CMP sales in 2003 or those sold to clubs before that time?

Any way, it looks like a nice receiver with crisp markings from the picture.

Here's a pic of the bbl date. Under magnification it's definitely an 8. It was a club sale carbine from 2002.

[Publius]

Here's a pic of what they looked like in the wrap when received.

[Publius]

I just followed the AIM Surplus link and they have Inland carbines with 1944 Underwood bbls, so there it is, not so unusual I see. Makes me wonder why the bbl was replaced so soon after the original one. The logical reason would be battle damage since there was a war going on, which to me would mean the carbine saw action somewhere and was recovered

[Mike in NC]

The date on a replacement barrel tells you only one thing. For example on your carbine, you know the barrel wan't replaced before 8-44 when the barrel was made. The barrel could have been as easily replaced in 1954 after Korea as in 1946 after WWII. Underwood and other barrel suppiers produced a huge number (I am sure others could tell you how many) of replacement barrels that were stockpiled and used for many decades. Springfield made a run of replacement barrels that are dated in the early 50s. The bottom line is its hard to tell when your barrel was replaced on your carbine other than after 8-44.

[Publius]

That could be true also. My "Band of Brothers" fantasies aside, the carbine must have some measure of use or damage even if it had gone up past Korea with the original barrel. Conjecture of the piece's historical significance is part of what makes our hobby fun and interesting. Just hoarding stuff out of habit or fear doesn't do it for me.