WWII Underwood M1 Carbine Inland Receiver Matching .30 Semi Auto Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $2887

LSB#: 230528RW006

Make: Underwood Corporation.
The receiver was purchased from Inland. The “INLAND DIV.” receiver marking was lined out by Underwood and a “.U.” was stamped above the original markings (page 19 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production).

Model: M1 Carbine
This Matching M1 Carbine uses all Underwood parts. The parts are correct for Underwood but may or may not be period correct.
We do not know if the parts are factory original, if parts were replaced during an Arsenal Rebuild, or if parts were replaced at a later date.

Serial Number: 627619. This is an Inland serial number.

Year of Manufacture: July to September 1943 (pages 28 & 31 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide).
Barrel Date: August 1943

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 “.U. / INLAND DIV. (lined out) / 627619 / flaming bomb” on the rear. The top of the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD / 8 – 43 / flaming bomb” and “P”. The interior of the trigger group’s magazine well is marked “.U.” which is an Underwood mark (page 78). The hammer is marked “WU” which is an Underwood mark (pages 88 & 89). The magazine release is marked “.U.” which is an Underwood mark (pages 100-101). The smooth push button safety is unmarked which is consistent with Underwood and others (pages 95). The inside of the operating slide is marked “.U.” which is an Underwood mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “.U.” under the left lug which is an Underwood mark (page 36). The front sight is marked “.U.” which is an Underwood mark (page 56). The Type I rear sight is marked “S” which is consistent with Underwood and others (page 29). The Type IA barrel band is unmarked which is consistent with Underwood and others (page 59). The underside of the handguard is marked “M-U” which is an Underwood mark (page 138). The sling well is marked “M-U” which is an Underwood mark (pages 108-109). The right side of the stock is marked with a faded “crossed cannons” cartouche and a boxed Underwood Inspector’s cartouche “UEF / GHD” (faded). The rear of the magazines is marked “circled IU” which is an Underwood mark (pages 142 -143).

Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between 2 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 metal buttplate. The buttplate shows small scratches and light discoloration. The barrel band shows scratches and oxidation. The wood shows scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. The wood has been oiled. 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 overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The muzzle area is light gray. The remaining grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is erosion near the muzzle. There is light erosion in the remaining grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.9.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, thin scratches, and light thinning on the leading edges. The sides of the receiver and trigger group show areas of thinning. The right side of the receiver shows a small area of pin prick surface erosion. The action shows operational wear. Most of the markings are deep. The stock markings are faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

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 comes with a 15 round magazine, a canvas sling, a canvas dual mag pouch, a canvas soft case, and a canvas muzzle cover. The magazine 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.
The Underwood Typewriter Company was a manufacturer of typewriters headquartered in New York City, New York. By 1939, Underwood had produced five million machines. In 1927 the company was reorganized into Underwood-Elliott-Fisher, which later became the Underwood Corporation. During WWII Underwood was one of the many companies who helped with the war effort. They produced about 8.9% of the total number of wartime M1 Carbines.

This Underwood M1 Carbine was made back in 1943 and is built on an Inland marked receiver. Underwood purchased the receiver from Inland. The “INLAND DIV.” receiver marking was lined out by Underwood and a “.U.” was stamped above the original markings designating it as an Underwood receiver.
This Matching M1 Carbine uses all Underwood parts including Underwood stamped receiver. The markings make this M1 Carbine desirable to collectors. The rifle comes with a magazine, sling, dual mag pouch, soft case, and a muzzle cover.
The parts are correct for Underwood but may or may not be period correct. We do not know if the parts are factory original, if parts were replaced during an Arsenal Rebuild, or if parts were replaced at a later date.

…Now go shoot something!