Underwood M1 Carbine Singer Receiver Austria Police .30 Semi Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1500
LSB#: 210925MZ61
Make: Underwood Corporation. The receiver was subcontracted by the Singer Manufacturing Company.
Model: M1 Carbine
After WWII this M1 Carbine appears to have been provided to the Austrian Gendarmerie (Police). See www.bavarianm1carbines.com/Austria.html for more info.
Serial Number: 2641310
Year of Manufacture: March to April, 1944 (page 31 of Scott Duff’s book The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide. Barrel Date: October, 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 “UNDERWOOD / 2641310 / flaming bomb B” on the rear. The “B” is a Singer Mfg. Co. subcontractor mark (page 374 of Larry L. Ruth’s book, WAR BABY!). The top of the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD / 10 – 43 / flaming bomb” and “P”. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “LGK ST / 1894” which is an Austrian Police marking. The right rear of the trigger group is marked “W” which is a Winchester mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is marked “HN” which is a National Postal Meter mark (page 89). The magazine release is marked “M” and “EI” which is an Inland mark (page 100-101). The rotary safety is unmarked “H.T.” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 95 & 185). The inside of the operating slide is marked “PI” which is an Inland mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “H” on the left lug and “AOB” on the right lug which is an IBM mark (page 36). The front sight is marked “N” which is consistent with Underwood and others (page 56). The Type III rear sight is marked “I.R.CO. / 7160060” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 29). The Type III barrel band has been cut down and is now in Type II configuration. It is marked “J.M.Q.”which is a Quality Hardware subcontractor mark (not listed on page 59). The underside of the handguard is marked “OI” which is an Inland mark (page 138). The sling well is marked “TRIMBLE / TN” which was used by Underwood, National Postal Meter and others (page 108-109). The right side of the stock is marked with a faded inspector’s cartouche “NPM / FJA in a box” which is next to a “crossed cannons” cartouche. These are National Postal Meter marks (page 125). The right side of the stock is also marked “0765” next to the buttpalte. The rear of the magazine is marked “U” which is listed as a miscellaneous mark (page 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 an adjustable Type III aperture assembly.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, modified Type III (now resembles a Type II) barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through, and metal buttplate. The refinished buttplate shows scratches, thinning, and small edge dents. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Several of the marks have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The most prominent marks are on the bottom of the forearm. The LOP measures 13 ? 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 muzzle and grooves are light grey. There is fouling and intermittent erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.3.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and areas of light discoloration. The trigger group shows thinning on the leading edges of the metal. The left side of the receiver shows light thinning at the wood line. The right side of the receiver shows some thinning consistent with cycling. The recoil plate screw shows heavy use. The markings are deep. 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 canvas sling. It shows light discoloration. Overall it is in about Fine condition. The rifle comes with a 15 round magazine. It shows scrapes, small scratches and a few small spots of discoloration. It is in about Very Good Plus condition.
The 15 round magazine is not available to residents of California or any state with magazine capacity restrictions.
Our Assessment: This Underwood M1 Carbine was made back in 1944. The receiver is a rare “B” marked receiver that was subcontracted by the Singer Manufacturing Company. After WWII the rifle appears to have served in Austra for the Gendarmerie (Austrian Police). The bottom of the trigger guard is stamped with Austrian markings. This Underwood M1 Carbine has nice markings that tell a story. It can fill several slots in your M1 Carbine collection. Good luck.