Underwood M1 Carbine Finished by Winchester w/ Benicia Arsenal Stamp C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,026.00
WOA#: WY240520KE008
Make: Underwood Finished by Winchester
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 6534637
Year of Manufacture: November 1944-January of 1945
Caliber: .30 Cal
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Carbine fed by detachable magazines.
Markings:
The top front of the receiver is marked, “U.S. CARBINE CAL. .30 M1”
The top rear of the receiver is marked “UNDERWOOD / 6534637” and “BA” The Underwood is crossed out which means this gun was started by Underwood and then completed by Winchester with a Winchester Serial Number. Then Post WW2 it was sent to the Benicia Arsenal to be refurbished.
The barrel is marked, with a “6” on the flat, a flaming bomb on the right side by the gas block, “W” towards the muzzle.
The barrel band is marked “C”
The right side of the rear sight is marked with a Shield “H”.
The left side of the hammer is marked “W”.
The bottom of the slide is marked “7160091”
The cross bolt safety is marked “”EW””
The magazine release is marked “M”
The right rear of the trigger group is marked “AW”
The lug is marked “W”
The stock is marked with a “W” and a “C” on the inside in front of the magwell, in the sling cut “W”, a “W” in the nose and an Ordnance wheel on the right side.
Barrel Length: 18”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective wings and the rear sight is a late style adjustable sliding aperture sight with a knurled adjustment knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an oval cut low wood stock with a type III barrel band/bayonet lug, 4 rivet upper handguard, crossbolt safety and checkered metal buttplate. The stock shows minimal scattered marks, compressions and scratches with the largest scratches on the face of the grip. There is a small crack beginning to form from the back of the lug screw. The upper handguard has a scratch and some very small marks. The refinished metal buttplate has sharp checkering and minor surface wear. Overall the stock is in Very Good to Excellent Condition considering its age.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one “IW” marked 15 round magazine. The surface of the magazine has rub wear throughout. However the magazine is in Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized and Blued.
Finish Originality: Benicia Arsenal Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its refinished metal finish. The majority of the finish loss is on the barrel. The balance of the finish shows patina and surface wear scattered throughout. The majority of the patina is on the trigger guard and barrel band. There is rub wear from use on the bolt and friction surfaces of the receiver. The screw heads show light use but are sharp. The markings are mostly clear. Overall this rifle is in Very Good to Excellent condition as Arsenal 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: This rifle includes one magazine.
Our Assessment: During World War II, the M1 Carbine was a highly popular firearm among American soldiers. Its lightweight design, accuracy, and reliability made it a favorite among troops, and the Underwood M1 Carbine was no exception. The Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, known for its typewriters, quickly retooled its factories to produce firearms for the war effort. In 1942, they began producing the M1 Carbine, which quickly gained a reputation as a reliable and accurate rifle. During the war, Underwood produced more than half a million M1 Carbines for the U.S. military. After the war, the company shifted its focus back to typewriters, but the Underwood M1 Carbine remains an important part of American military history. Today, the Underwood M1 Carbine is highly sought-after by firearms enthusiasts and World War II historians. Its lightweight design, reliability, and accuracy make it a popular collectible, and it continues to be a symbol of American ingenuity and determination. Since Underwood was one of the smaller companies producing M1 Carbines, they received parts and stocks from many of the bigger manufacturers like Inland and Winchester so rifles out of factory often had mix matched parts. This example is one of the M1s that Underwood began to make but ended up shipping to Winchester to be completed. Which is why the Underwood marking is crossed out on the receiver. Post war this carbine was sent to the Benicia Arsenal in the back bay area of San Francisco in California to be refurbished. This Arsenal was in operation from 1849-1963. Fun fact Benicia was the third state capitol of California. If this rifle could talk, what a story it would tell. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
