Underwood M1 Carbine

[c&rfan]

The front sight, barrel (dated 8-43), . . .

. . receiver (s/n dates it as February 1944 and the recoil plate is unmarked), . . .

. . . and stock are all marked Underwood (the U in the sling relief was double stamped making it difficult to make out in the photo):

The carbine has an unmarked barrel band/front sling swivel without the bayonet lug . . .

. . . and a Saginaw marked push button safety:

The rear sight is a late issue stamped unit manufactured by International Register Co.:

The only other stamping on the wood is the U.S.Army Ordnance Symbol located on the left side of the buttstock:

The bottom of the trigger guard assembly is marked with a 0:

I didn't break the carbine down during this photo session but I recall that there are some internal Underwood marked parts but I don't recall which parts.

This carbine apparently didn't undergo a complete arsenal update since it still has the early barrel band/swivel and push button safety and it doesn't have anys arsenal or depot marks. Is my assumption faulty?

I would appreciate any comments, questions or information about this rifle.

Information

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[ScottR]

Very nice carbine, rare S'G' safety. Slingwell is marked J for Jewel Bros. Wartime replacement stock.
One more thing, your rifle was built around Aug/Sept. 1943, not Feb. 44.
Scott

[painter777]

I like the Jewel stocks......nice hearty piece of wood.
Good looking carbine....
Thanks for sharing it with us.

Charlie-painter777

[c&rfan]

Very nice carbine, rare S'G' safety. Slingwell is marked J for Jewel Bros. Wartime replacement stock.
One more thing, your rifle was built around Sept. 1943, not Feb. 44.
Scott

Thanks for the info and the correction on the build date - Sept. '43 puts it closer to the barrel date. May I ask where you got your information? I used a list of s/n with dates that were posted on another forum that were apparently erroneous.

Do you suppose that the fact that the stock was a wartime replacement explains why the Ordnance stamp is the only marking other than the J - i.e. no final proof mark, arsenal or depot marks?

[jimb16]

The marking on the bottom of the trigger housing, in front of the gurad would seem to indicate that the housing is probably Winchester. If that is the case, the carbine probably did go through a partial rebuild. It isn't all that unusual to find a carbine that was only partially upgraded.