National Postal Meter M1 Carbine W/Union Switch & Signal Receiver 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,110.00
LSB#: WY240723KM008
Make: National Postal Meter produced by Union Switch & Signal.
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 4349496
Year of Manufacture: Receiver Late 1943, Barrel date January-1944
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Markings:
The top-rear of the receiver is marked “NATIONAL / POSTAL METER ”, and “4349496” with the “U” stamp on the bevel for Union Switch & Signal. This is a very rare receiver with only 50,592 known to have been produced.
The top-front of the receiver is marked “U.S. Carbine”, “CAL .30 M1”.
The barrel is marked with “UNDERWOOD 1-44” with the flaming bomb.
The front sight is marked “SN” for National Postal Meter
The rear sight is marked “I.R.C.O.”-for International Register CO.
The barrel band is unmarked
The slide is unmarked
The trigger group is marked “N” for National Postal Meter with a batch number on the left side of “9”.
The hammer is marked with a strange mark this writer has not seen. Looks like an upside down flame.
The magazine release is marked “M”
The rotary safety is marked “SS” This is a rebuild marked rotary safety most likely installed at Mt. Rainier.
The sear is marked “GE-Q” for Quality Hardware.
The upper handguard is marked “TN” The upper handguard is marked “TN” for Trimble Nursery the subcontractor for stocks for National Postage Meter and Underwood.
The stock is marked in the sling cut with “TRIMBLE TN” for Trimble Nursery the subcontractor for stocks for National Postage Meter and Underwood. Above the sling cut is marked “MR” this is an arsenal rebuild code for the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot. The front of the pistol grip has a “P” acceptance stamp. The right flank of the stock is marked with yellow paint “CO / A / 80”.
The oiler is marked “IS” for International Silver CO.
The Magazine is marked “MN” for Mattatuck Manufacturing CO. made for National Postal Meter.
The Lug is unmarked.
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics:The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the later style sliding aperture sight with a knurled windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a low-wood, oval cut stock with a 2-rivet upper handguard, Type I barrel band, and a checkered metal butt plate. This rifle has a rotary style safety. The LOP is 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The metal buttplate has lost most of its finish, has semi dulled checkering and has turned brown with patina. The upper handguard appears to have been refinished and has minor scratches, dings and compressions. There are no chips or cracks present. The stock itself shows scratches and compressions. There is a chip missing from behind the trigger guard, one in the belly, a small chip in the belly of the nose in front of the band, and a chip in the left top side of the nose. There are no visible cracks. Overall the wood on this rifle is in Very Good to condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes the MN marked 15 round magazine. The flanks have lost some of their finish and have begun to develop rust freckling. The right rear side of the feed lips is rusted. Overall the magazine is in about Fair + to Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized.
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is defined. There is very minor visible erosion in the last half of the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. The bolt and friction surfaces of the receiver show the majority of wear with the bolt missing almost all of its finish. The finish has begun to turn brown/green with age and patina. The barrel is very clean with finish loss on the leading edge of the muzzle. The screwheads are sharp and the markings are mostly clear. Overall this rifle is in about Fine condition for C&R.
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 includes a green canvas sling and the magazine described above.
Our Assessment: The M1 Carbine, a lightweight, semi-automatic rifle, gained fame during World War II as a versatile firearm used by various military units, including infantry, paratroopers, and support personnel. Union Switch and Signal (US&S), primarily known for producing railroad equipment, contributed to the war effort by manufacturing M1 Carbine receivers under contract with the U.S. military for National Postal Meter during 1943-44. While Union Switch and Signal primarily focused on producing electrical and signaling equipment for railways, the company transitioned to wartime production to support the Allied effort. Alongside other manufacturers, US&S produced M1 Carbine receivers to meet the demand for lightweight, portable firearms suitable for personnel not equipped with standard rifles. The M1 Carbine receivers manufactured by Union Switch and Signal are part of the broader history of wartime production, where various companies across the United States contributed to the massive effort to arm and equip Allied forces during World War II. The collaboration between Union Switch and Signal and National Postal Meter exemplifies the coordinated effort among different companies to meet the demand for firearms during the war years. Today, National Postal Meter M1 Carbines with Union Switch and Signal receivers are prized by collectors for their historical significance and relative rarity compared to M1s produced by other manufacturers. This example is in Very Good condition and has an amazing collection of parts including the rare receiver the Underwood barrel, Mount Rainier rebuild markings and all of the original correct to National Postage Meter parts. Every M1 carbine tells a unique story that serves as a tangible link to the War time Era in the United States. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos Via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
