DCM National Postal Meter M1 Carbine

[c&rfan]

I acquired this carbine from the NRA through the DCM program in late 1963. The carbine was shipped from the Red River Army Depot on the 6th of December 1963:

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I found the Case USMK4 bayonet and scabbard a while after I received the carbine.

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The barrel is an Underwood production dated 4 - 43:

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The receiver is stamped National (under the rear sight) Postal Meter and serial numbered with a number that matches the invoice. Maybe someone who has DCM documents for a carbine in their collection can tell me if it was standard practice for the Army to use the barrel manufacturer to document the transfer (look at the above document) instead of the manufacturer stamped on the receiver.

I have the carbine logged in as a National Postal Meter since the serial number is stamped below that stamping on the receiver - there is no serial number on the barrel to tie the two together.

The following photo also shows the SG (Saginaw) stamped on the recoil plate.

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Other Markings on the carbine:

(Please excuse the blurry photos)

Red River Arsenal stamp on left side of butt and O l (Overton for Inland) stamped down in the sling recess:


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Proof mark and rack number (?)

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Stamping on mag release button for later Modified release assembly:

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JM (J.M. Mueller Manufacturing) stamped on the front barrel band/bayonet lug assembly:

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RIA (Rock Island Arsenal) stamped on the left front sight guard:



The internal marked parts (not shown) seem to be a mix.

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.

[Griff Murphey]

I was a high school boy in that time frame. In my big brother's room I found his DCM sale carbine, still in the box. I talked myself into believing my dad had ordered it for ME; I mean, it HAD to be mine; he had not even bothered to unpack it!! Long story short, it was kind of disappointing when Christmas came; it was not a Christmas gift for me; not THAT time. I tried to get my dad to order one for me on HIS membership but some kind "expert" soul advised him they were of no use for serious shooting. Well, I DID get an NM M-1.... but I'd sure have liked a DCM carbine...

[c&rfan]

I forgot to mention that unlike the 03A3s my Dad and I acquired through DCM, the carbine wasn't heavily coated inside and out with cosmoline which was a pleasant suprise.

[Griff Murphey]

Neither was my brother's gun. It was not in VCI either, just in waxy brown paper as I remember.

[JohnMOhio]

Interesting reading on your paperwork. I received my Carbine in late October 1963 from the same place. No shipping date noted on form. It is a Winchester, SR 1094923. The only markings I can find without taking it down are the following: Rear Sight has LR Co. Same "M" on the mag release button. The number "3" stamped just forward of the trigger guard. The barrel has a "W" stamped on it. No rebuild markings on the stock and the stock appears to be in as good of condition as yours.

[c&rfan]

Hi JohnMOhio,

Sounds like you received a nice one too. I'm still puzzled about why the clerk that filled out the form for mine didn't look closely at the receiver and write the correct manufacturer instead of Underwood, after all Postal Meter is visible below the rear of the sight above the serial number. Guess it was a monotonous job.

[JohnMOhio]

C&R, I tried to compare writtings on our forms and it was processed by two different people in my opinion. I am surprised that mine did not have a shipping date. The only other difference on our forms was the warehouse location, yours is PT-147 and mine shows PT-142. There are a few other differences like document date but the main ones such as stock number are the same.

Only problem with mine from the beginning is you can rack the action back and it will stay, however a slight bump will cause it to close easily and chamber a round. Other than that, operates fine, never had a problem with it at the range and it has decent groups at 100. Doubt that it would win a CMP match. Never tried it beyond that range.

Did you get yours for the excessive price of $20.00 like I did? One of the best purchases I ever made.

[jimb16]

John, the LR Co is actually IR Co. International Register......

[c&rfan]

Yep, same price. I also got a DCM Colt 1911A1 for that princely sum, but I sold it since I already had a 1911 and a blued 1911A1 (both Colts). I still have them but I kick myself regularly for selling the DCM one.

[JohnMOhio]

I didn't think at that time to purchase a 1911. Head strong on rifles at that age and right out of the service. Little did I know that 40 plus years later I would get the bug. Only have one of those, not GI, a Colt Series 70 in 9 mm in NIB condition. Most of us have some regret for one or more firearms that we parted with in the past. I have been lucky so far, have never sold any that I have purchased.