National Postal Meter M1 Carbine Matching NPM US&S .30 Semi Auto Rifle C&R

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Sold for $2511.59

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

Model: M1 Carbine. This rifle uses all NPM factory parts. We do not know if the rifle was issued in this manner or later assembled to use all NPM factory parts. The Marlin barrel appears to be original. NPM did not produce barrels.

Serial Number: 4372148

Year of Manufacture: 1944 (page 29 of Scott Duff’s book The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide). No Barrel Date

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: There is no import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” on the front and “NATIONAL / POSTAL METER / 4372148 / 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” and “P”. Marlin supplied undated barrels to NPM (page 50-51). The left rear of the trigger group is marked “N / 16” which is an NPM mark (page 78). The hammer is marked “NHTE” (the HTE letters are intertwined) which is an NPM mark (page 89-90). The magazine release is marked “SN” which is an NPM mark (page 100-101). The smooth push button safety is marked “SN” which is an  NPM mark (page 95). The inside of the operating slide is marked “N 15” which is an NPM mark (page 65 & 66). The left bolt lug is marked “N 14” which is an NPM mark (page 36). The front sight is marked “SN” which is an NPM mark (page 56). The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left and “N-A” on the right which are NPM marks (page 29). The Type IA barrel band is marked “UN”on the band and “UI” on the lug which aren NPM marks also used by Inland (page 59-60). The underside of the handguard is marked “TN” which is an NPM mark  (page 138). The sling well is marked “TN” which is an NPM mark (page 108 – 109). The right side of the butt is marked with an NPM cartouche “NPM / FJA in a box” and a “crossed cannons” cartouche. The rear of the magazine is marked “UN” which is an NPM mark (page 142 -143).

Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a Type I dual flip up aperture.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, Type IA barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The top of the butt shows a repair.  The wood shows scattered scrapes & scratches. The most prominent marks are on the handguard. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition as refurbished.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The muzzle is gray due to refinishing. It was not covered properly when the rifle was refinished. The grooves are semi bright and rifling is deep. There is light intermittent erosion in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.5.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish as refinished. The metal shows scuffs & light handling marks. The bottom of the trigger group shows small scrapes & discoloration. The receiver and bolt show light operational wear. Most of the markings are clear. The barrel markings are faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition as refinished.

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

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle has a canvas sling attached. The rifle comes with a 15 round magazine. The magazine shows patches of surface erosion. It appears to function correctly.
The 15 round magazine is not available to residents of California or any other state with magazine capacity restrictions.

Our Assessment:The M1 Carbine was developed and produced after WWII started. Over 6 million were made by a number of U.S. companies to assist with the all out war effort. The M1 Carbine was widely issued to U.S. Military Forces which numbered over 16 million during WWII. The M1 Carbine contributed greatly to U.S. efforts during WWII.
National Postal Meter (NPM) was one of several contractors who tooled up during WWII to produce M1 Carbines in support of the war effort. NPM rushed into the war effort as did other companies with no firearms background. At the time of their first contract NPM had no tools, no employees, and no location for building carbines. National Postal Meter’s test fire range was built by raising the floor of the carbine manufacturing plant three feet above the building’s concrete floor and literally shooting under the feet of the production line. Despite these issues NPM was able to produce about 6.8% of the total number of WWII M1 Carbines.

This is a “Matching” National Postal Meter M1 Carbine that was initially built during WWII on a Union Switch & Signal supplied receiver. Union Switch & Signal (US&S) produced the receiver under contract for NPM. The Marlin barrel appears to be original. NPM did not produce barrels. Marlin and other manufacturers supplied NPM with barrels to assemble M1 Carbines with at the NPM factory. The rifle has lots of NPM markings on the metal & wood. The metal and wood have been refinished so the rifle looks good. It will add to your WWII or M1 Carbine collection.

NOTE: This rifle uses all NPM factory parts. We do not know if the rifle was issued in this manner or later assembled to use all NPM factory parts.