National Postal Meter M1 Carbine NPM .30 Cal Semi Automatic Rifle C&R

Sold For: $1002

LSB#: 201010LB40

Make: National Postal Meter. Union Switch & Signal produced the receiver under contract for National Postal Meter (NPM).

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 4346684

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1944. No Barrel Date. There are no specific dates for Union Switch & Signal receivers as their deliveries were late to NPM (page 29 of Scott Duff’s book The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide).

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: The import mark on the barrel reads “BLUE SKY/ARLINGTON, VA.”. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30, M1” on the front and “NATIONAL / POSTAL METER / 4346684 / U” on the rear. The “U” is for the NPM subcontractor Union Switch and Signal (page 21 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production). The barrel is marked “MARLIN”. Marlin supplied barrels for NPM (page 50-51). The right rear of the trigger group is marked “INLAND” which is an inland mark (page 48). The hammer is marked “WI” which is an Inland mark (page 89-90). The Type IV magazine release is marked “M” (page 98). The rotary safety is marked “circled S” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 63 & 184). The inside of the operating slide is marked “PI” which is an Inland mark (page 65 & 66). The right lug of the bolt is marked “AOB” which is an IBM mark (page 36). The Type III barrel band is marked “AMCO” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 59, 60 & 184). The front sight is marked “N” which is consistent with NPM and others (page 56). The Type II rear sight is marked with a faded “H in a shield” on the right which was used by other manufacturers (page 30 & 184). The recoil plate is marked “SG” which is a Saginaw Gear mark (page 135). The bottom of the grip is painted with a faded “37”. The right side of the butt is painted with faded South Korean markings. The underside of the Type I handguard is marked “RSG” which was used by Saginaw Gear (page 138). The top front edge of the forearm is marked “SA” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 185). The edge of the buttplate is marked “IP-PM” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 111). The rear of the magazine is marked “IS” which is a Standard Products mark (page 143).

Barrel Length: Approximately 18”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a fully adjustable Type II aperture.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, Type III barrel band with sling loop & bayonet lug, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The buttplate shows spots of surface erosion & small dents along the edge. The stock shows numerous scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Several have damaged or removed small portions of surface wood. These marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 13 ¼ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The grooves near the muzzle are light grey. The rifling is crisp. There is erosion in the grooves near the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 4.3.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The exposed metal shows scrapes, discoloration, areas of oxidation, and light thinning. The barrel shows spots of oxidation and small areas of light thinning under the wood. The left side of the receive shows some thinning under the wood. The right side of the receiver shows thinning consistent with cycling. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork& Accessories: The rifle comes with a 15 round magazine. It shows scrapes, surface erosion & thinning. It is in about Good condition.
The magazine is not available to residents of California or any state with magazine capacity restrictions.

Our Assessment: Union Switch & Signal produced this M1 Carbine receiver under contract for National Postal Meter (NPM). Union Switch & Signal receivers are marked with a “U” under the serial number. This M1 Carbine appears to have served in Korea after its WWII service.