Dog or Diamond?

[Czech]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I'm discovering a whole world that I didn't know existed yesterday...that was the day I bought my first M1 carbine.

I kind of did it on faith, and now I'm going to ask you if I bought a dog or a diamond.

Here are the details: no marks on the front sight or bayonet lug. On the barrel, I see UNDERWOOD over 1(?)-43, over what looks like a flaming bomb, over a backwards squarish "C". The inside is quite bright and clean with no pitting. I don't have any 30-06 ball ammo (I know I read this somewhere!), but Federal 150 gr Powerpoints go into the bore and the case stops about 1/16" from the end of the barrel. No import marks anywhere on the barrel.

On the receiver, the front has US Carbine over Cal 30 M1. The back has UNDERWOOD over the serial number 28541XX. The rear sight hangs over the rear of the receiver and has a dark blue finish compared to the grey of the receiver. It is marked with an H inside a shield.

The trigger assembly has no marks but the magazine release has an underlined M, and the lever-type safety has what looks like a firecracker with two wicks (one on each end) inside a circle.

The stock has a cartouche: a rectangle with G.H.D. over U.E.F., beside a circle with what looks like crossed cannon. It's in very good condition with very few dents, dings or scratches, but it has 3-4 serious cracks in it and a number of old repairs. Also, the handguard is noticeably lighter in color than the stock. Inside the notch cut for the strap, there is a faint P, a space, then something like a D.

Here are my pictures:

















So, what do you think? It came with 2 magazines in the canvas case you see in the picture plus 2 boxes of ammo. Was it the best $400 I ever spent or did I get taken for a ride?

Thanks,
Czech

All opinions welcome

Information

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[Garandrew]

If you can fire 30.06 in that, you really do have something. M2 stock?
Its .30 M1 carbine rounds..not .30 M1 rifle rounds. The cartouche looks fake. Mine is earlier, without the ordnance wheel, but the cannons look funny..or is it me?

[Czech]

Here's a link to some cartouche markings, which includes an Underwood mark of the same type as mine:
Some M1 Carbine production dates + cartouche markings

Czech

[Bill Hollinger]

Andy, that is a hand carved M2 cutout. You did fine for the money. The cartouche looks counterfeit to me also.

[G26ster]

Here's a link to some cartouche markings, which includes an Underwood mark of the same type as mine:
Some M1 Carbine production dates + cartouche markings

Czech

If the Rock-ola markings on that sight are an example, I don't trust the others to be correct. I believe the Rock-ola one marked "early" is actually late, and the one marked "late" is incorrect, as the RMC is horizontal on the stock. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[jackthesmib]

Nice diamond at a good price -despite the cartouche

[Czech]

What about the markings on the safety, the mag release and the rear sight? Are they correct for an Underwood of that date?

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Welcome to the forum Czech.

First of all, you didn't get hurt for what you paid if the barrel is in good shape and if it's overall sound mechanically.

Second, your rifle has been arsenal-overhauled and at the very least upgraded with later parts that were not original to when it was made, just as most all M1 carbines were. Enjoy it and honor it for what it is.

I don't even want to try to guess the percentage, but by far most carbines were rebuilt after WWII. I know there seems to be a fixation with 'original' M1 carbines on the internet these days, but they're few and far between. The rebuilds and upgrades during and after WWII, that upgraded them for Korea, that renewed them through Vietnam are part of their unique history.

An arsenal rebuilt carbine is nothing to look down on at all. They have a rich history of their own that's second to none.

I agree the CC is a fake and your carbine would be more authentic if someone hadn't done that to it. Unfortunately with the rising costs of the very small percent of carbines that somehow escaped war and arsenals, there's a huge surge currently in all kinds of carbine counterfeiting. They've even been re-stamping old stocks and that's what it appears has happened to your stock. When you've seen hundreds of original stamps with their original 60 years of wear, a stamp like that sticks out like a sore thumb regardless how well it's shaped. Your stock shows it's authentic battle history, but the stamp wasn't there through it.

[frankderrico]

Czech, Diamond. Even without the stock you did good.
I bought a NPM last summer at a gun show. It had a faked cartouche stock. I made the deal with the seller for the rifle less the stock, I have alot of wood. When I took it out of the stock it had a nice RMC trigger housing in it that I had been looking for (bonus).
Now find the stock you need and welcome to CARBINE NITUS.....Frank

[Tired Retired]

While not a 10 ct flawless, you have a diamond there, my friend. Congrats....

And welcome to "The Addiction"....