National Postal Meter 9-43 Underwood barrel

[coneten]

The NPM serial number is 1975705 and I am pretty sure the barrel is correct. There are early features on this example ; type 1A barrel band, flip peep sight, high wood stock, flat top bolt. The stock is TN Trimble in sling well with FJA NPM Ordnance wheel cartouches on right side butt stock. The stock is high wood, very very good condition and the 2 rivet hand guard matches and is TN marked. There is no P stamping on underside of stock. Some more particulars are; un- marked front sight, no small P proof on barrel but there is a punch mark, slide is N9, bolt is N9, trigger housing is N9, hammer is HI, rear sight is flip peep S marked on left, un marked on right, the flip is un marked. The rear sight is staked with two very small pair of linear rather than round stake marks, mag catch is flat button smooth but marked SN on the portion in the mag well, recoil plate is LN. The condition of the metal finish, wood and interior inspection shows very lille wear although the hammer face is shiny and the feed ramp is shiny. The vertical screw on the front barrel band has been replaced with something non-standard best described as a dome shaped with a non slotted head with a horizontal hole going through it. Any opinions are welcomed...and thanks!

[deldriver]

Of course everyone will want to see pictures of it. It sounds correct for the time period it would have been made in. You didn't say if the hammer was a straight one or a dogleg. You are right in the or just past the time they went to the straight hammer. Inland shipped a fair amount of parts to NPM and hammers were one of them. Where did you find it if you don't mind me asking?

[Bruce McAskill]

There is only one hammer listed as being sent from Inland in April 1943 to NPM with some sent in 1942. Underwood sent 5,000 old style hammers. Standard Products sent 2000, Rock-Ola sent 10,000 old style and IBM 4,000 hammers. All of these were sent in the Sept.-Oct. time frame just about when this carbine was made.

[coneten]

I posted two pics of the carbine on GB U.S. Weapons Forum. I will remove the wood and take pics of the markings and parts later when there is better light.