M1 Carbine National Postal Meter

[sakorick]

I own an Italian CMP Postal Meter service grade carbine with a ugly stock. If I were to change it to a USGI stock, what would I look for and where would I look? I just want a nice Walnut stock with some decent cartouches. Thanks for your help and regards, Rick.

Information

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[CrossedCannons]

What you should look for depends upon when your carbine was manufactured which is easy, just requires a serial number. Where you should look is much harder. It's not called hunting for nothing. FWIW, What A Country currently has Trimble stocks for sale (NPM's stock maker) but all lack NPM's cartouche (likely sanded off). Easiest way is to bait your net with greenbacks by placing a want ad and let the stocks come to you. But be aware good wood is not cheap.

[sakorick]

It's a late SN and it would have likely gone through rebuild and therefor, could have just about anything on it. What depots did the rebuilds on WWII carbines? Did they leave with the P cartouche? Ordnance Wheel? Depot cartouche? Regards, Rick.

[Bruce McAskill]

Just about every armory and arsenal as well as Underwood and Standard products rebuilt carbines post war. As to what would have been left on the stock depends on how much sanding was done during the rebuild. I've seen some that were not sanded at all and some that look like there is not much wood left holding things together. Some had a P stamped on them if the carbine in that stock was proof fired after being rebuilt and others did not get a stamp on them.

[sakorick]

Thanks Bruce....that's what I figured. The SN is 4310136....I'll keep watching epay. I guess what I'm at sea over is the various type stocks which is confusing. Type 1, 2 , 3 Pot Belly??, and on and on. What should I be looking for? Regards, Rick.

[RCS]

Attachment 15366

I had this cartouche photo in my photo file. The stock is high wood and on a NMP 4,245xxx with undated IBM bbl

[sakorick]

Hello RCS. That's exactly what I'm looking for but the odds don't look good on finding one. Regards, Rick.

[mpd1978]

Rick,

Your carbine would look just fine with any nice USGI stock. Dont spend any amount of money for a correct stock, unless you have the plans of trying to restore your NPM to correct condition. Most carbines are not candidates for restoration anyway. Some of the best stocks are actually the cheaper ones, like a post war M2 stock. Ususally go for $50+ or-. They are good stocks, they just dont have much collector apeal. Stay away from the new production stocks, they are too exspensive, considering that USGI stocks are still pretty plentiful and cheap.


Original M2 Carbine Walnut "Pot Belly" Stock : Stocks at GunBroker.com

M1 Carbine, M2 Stock. USGI. M2 : Stocks at GunBroker.com

[gsp2007]

I'm not a collector, but a shooter. I have an IBM carbine with undated IBM barrel (I don't have the serial # handy as I am at work, but all the parts seem to be marked with an M, which, I'm guessing, means IBM as well ??)), with a really nice NPM stock (with really nice cartouche - I don't remember, either, who the inspector was - most likely FJA). I won a gold with it at Perry this year, so I'm really not that keen on changing anything - but lightening the trigger by about 8 pounds would do wonders I think!) I don't know what stock an IBM came with, but might consider an offer

[Bruce McAskill]

A type 3 stock would be correct for a 4.3 range serial number so it might be a bit easier for you to locate one of those. NPM never used the pot belly stocks. Only Winchester and Inland did.