National Postal Meter M1 Carbine NPM .30 Semi Automatic Rifle C&R
LSB#: 211120HM10
Make: National Postal Meter (NPM)
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 1477804
Year of Manufacture: April to June, 1943 (page 29 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide). Barrel Date: January, 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 / 1477804” on the rear. The barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD / 1 – 43 / flaming bomb” and “P”. Underwood supplied barrels for NPM (page 50-51 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production). The rear of the trigger group is marked “9” on the left and “N” on the right. These are NPM marks (page 78). The hammer is marked “NH” which is an NPM mark (page 89-90). The magazine release is marked “MN” 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 bottom of the operating slide is marked “ROCK-OLA” which is a Rock-Ola mark (page 65 & 66). The left bolt lug is marked “6” and the right lug is marked “N” which are NPM marks (page 36). The front sight is marked “NN” which is an NPM mark (page 56). The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left which is consistent with NPM and others (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” which is an Inland mark (page 138). The sling well is marked “C”, “7”, with a “flaming bomb”, and with “RSG” which was used by Saginaw Gear and Saginaw S’G’ (page 108-109). The edge of the buttplate is marked “PM-IP” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 111). The rear of the aftermarket magazine is marked “MADE IN / U.S.A.”.
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 buttplate shows scrapes, small scratches, thinning, and a small amount of surface erosion. The wood shows several scrapes & scratches. Some have damaged small portions of the surface wood. The LOP measures 13 ? inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The muzzle and the grooves near the muzzle are light gray. The rifling is deep; less pronounced at the muzzle. There is fouling and erosion at the muzzle and in the grooves near the muzzle. The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.7.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and discoloration from oxidation. The exposed portion of the barrel shows a brown patina. The receiver shows light scrapes & light thinning under the wood. The left rear of the trigger group shows thinning and a small area of surface erosion under the wood. The right side of the receiver shows thinning consistent with cycling. Most of the markings are well defined. The markings on the barrel are faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about 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 has an aftermarket canvas sling attached. It shows scrapes & light oxidation on the metal. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition. The rifle comes with an aftermarket 5 round magazine. The magazine shows a few scrapes and discoloration from oil residue and oxidation. It is in about Very Good Plus condition.
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 National Postal Meter M1 Carbine was built back in 1943. It has since been rebuilt but still retains many of its original NPM parts. The Underwood barrel appears to be the original barrel. NPM did not produce barrels. Underwood and other manufacturers supplied NPM with barrels to assemble M1 Carbines with at the NPM factory. The rifle has lots of NPM & USGI markings on the metal parts which are mostly intact. This National Postal Meter M1 Carbine has seen some use but can still do lots of work at the range. It will add to your WWII or M1 Carbine collection.