National Postal Meter M1 Carbine Matching NPM US&S .30 Semi Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $2125
LSB#: 210925MZ74
Make: National Postal Meter (NPM). Union Switch & Signal (US&S) produced the receiver under contract for NPM.
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 4356969
Year of Manufacture: 1944 (page 29 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 “NATIONAL / POSTAL METER / 4356969 / 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 “BUFFALO ARMS / 8 – 1943 / flaming bomb” and “P”. Buffalo Arms supplied barrels for NPM (page 50-51). The rear of the trigger group is marked “S” on the left and “N” on the right. These are NPM marks (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 unmarked which is consistent with NPM and others (page 95). The inside of the operating slide is marked “N” which is an NPM mark (page 65 & 66). The left bolt lug is marked “8” and the right lug is marked “N” which are NPM marks (page 36). The front sight is marked “N” which was used by NPM and others (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 unmarked which is consistent with NPM and others (page 59-60). The underside of the handguard is marked “OI” and with a partial “flaming bomb” which was used by NPM and Inland (page 138). The sling well is marked “TRIMBLE / TN” which is an NPM mark. The rear of the buttplate is painted “O A”. The rear of the magazine is marked “O SG” which is a Saginaw Gear mark.
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 body of the stock has been refinished. 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 buttplate has been painted. It shows surface erosion. The wood shows light scrapes & scratches. The most prominent marks are on the handguard. Reas of the finish have been dulled by scuffs and light mildew spots. 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 as refinished. It will rate higher if the buttplate is replaced.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are light gray. The rifling is deep. There is fouling and intermittent erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.0
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish as refinished. Oxidation and scratches show through the new finish. The inside, left side (under the wood), and right side of the receiver have surface erosion showing through the new finish. The trigger guard has surface erosion showing through the new finish. The barrel shows some thinning under the barrel band. The front of the barrel shows scrapes, a few small scratches, and discoloration. The charging handle shows light discoloration. The metal shows other scuffs & light handling marks. Most of the markings are deep. The markings on the barrel are lightly struck. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus 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. It shows soiling on the canvas as well as scrapes & oxidation on the metal. It is in about Very Good Plus condition. The rifle comes with a 15 round magazine. The magazine shows light scrapes, thin scratches, and some oil residue. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.
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 built during WWII on a Union Switch & Signal supplied receiver. Union Switch & Signal (US&S) produced the receiver under contract for NPM. The Buffalo Arms barrel is original. NPM did not produce barrels. Buffalo Arms 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 magazine was built by a different manufacturer but can easily be replaced. The metal has been refinished and the stock has been oiled so the rifle looks good. It will add to your WWII or M1 Carbine collection.