CMP National Postal Meter M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18″ Rifle Rock-Ola Barrel 1943
SOLD FOR: $1,126.50
LSB#: LSB251209RR005
Make: National Postal Meter
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 4186647
Year of Manufacture: Late 1943 – Early 1944
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, detachable magazine fed carbine.
Markings:
The top-rear of the receiver is marked “NATIONAL POSTAL METER 4186647”
The top-front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE”, “CAL .30 M1”.
The barrel is marked “ROCK-OLA” and “P on top and a flaming ordnance bomb on the left flat.
The front sight is stamped with “N” – International Business Machine part
The barrel band is marked “SI” – Inland.
The slide is marked “7160091 D”.- a Winchester Slide
The rear sight is marked “I.P. CO. 7160060”.
The trigger group is marked with a faint “W” and “O” for Winchester.
The safety is marked with an “M” within a circle – Post War
The magazine release button is marked “M”.
The hammer is marked “I.K. for Rock-Ola.
The sear is unmarked.
The upper handguard is unmarked.
The stock is unmarked. All of the markings appear to have been removed when the stocks were sanded.
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade with protective ears. The rear sight is a late sliding adjustable aperture sight with knurled knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an Oval cut, low wood stock, with a four rivet handguard, type three barrel band with bayonet lug, rotary safety and a checkered metal Buttplate. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The wood has been refinished. The wood shows scattered marks, lines and compressions with no visible cracks. The edges of the oval cut show some minor chips. The buttplate has some mild erosion and edge wear. Overall this stock set is in Good condition as refinished.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original. The recoil lug appears refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is minor scattered erosion down the length of the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The barrel shows some minor rub wear from the band, the friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver show very minor rub wear. There is rub wear on the barrel from the barrel band. The markings are mostly clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in 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: This rifle comes with a CMP certificate of authenticity, CMP rifle safety manual, CMP chamber flag, Shipment checklist dated for 2008, and an ordnance field service M1 carbine manual.
Our Assessment: The National Postal Meter M1 Carbine stands as a testament to America’s wartime industrial mobilization, when companies far removed from traditional arms making were called upon to produce frontline weapons. Manufactured in late 1943 to early 1944, this receiver falls within the heart of National Postal Meter’s wartime production, one of the smaller prime contractors contributing roughly six percent of total M1 Carbine output. The Rock-Ola marked barrel is a proper wartime supplier component, and the mix of Inland, Winchester, IBM, and other marked parts reflects the common arsenal rebuild practice that kept these carbines serviceable through the war and into the postwar period. Features such as the oval cut low wood stock, four rivet handguard, Type III barrel band with bayonet lug, and adjustable rear sight illustrate the evolutionary upgrades typical of carbines that saw continued service beyond their initial issue.
Chambered in .30 Carbine, the lightweight intermediate cartridge adopted in 1941 to bridge the gap between pistol and full power rifle rounds, this example retains approximately 80 percent of its parkerized finish with honest wear on contact points and band areas consistent with military handling. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and minor scattered erosion, rating 7 out of 10. The refinished stock shows typical service marks without visible cracks, and the action functions correctly. With its correct era Rock-Ola barrel, National Postal Meter receiver, and characteristic rebuild configuration, this 1944 dated M1 Carbine represents a classic and historically layered World War II U.S. service arm. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids! -L.S./MA