WWII National Postal Meter M1 Carbine NPM M-1 .30 Semi Automatic Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1881.99
LSB#: 210930TP95
Make: National Postal Meter (NPM)
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 1478620
Year of Manufacture: April to June, 1943 (page 29 of Scott Duff’s book The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide).
Barrel Date: February, 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 / 1478620” on the rear. The barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD / 2 – 43 / flaming bomb”. Underwood supplied barrels for NPM (page 50-51 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production). The right rear of the trigger group is marked “S’ G’ ” which was used by Saginaw S’ G’ and Irwin-Pedersen (page 78). The hammer is marked “WA” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (page 89-90 & 185). The magazine release is marked “BR” which is Rock Ola 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 lug of the bolt is marked “AI” which was used by Inland mark and NPM. Inland supplied bolts to NPM (page 36). The Type IA barrel band is unmarked which is consistent with NPM and others (page 59 & 60). The front sight is marked “NN” which is an NPM mark (page 56). The Type II rear sight is marked “H in a shield” on the left which was used by others (page 29). The Type IA barrel band is marked “U” which was used by NPM and Inland (page 59). The underside of the handguard is marked with a partial “LW-B” stamping which is an IBM mark (page 138). The sling well is marked with a faded flaming bomb. The other markings have been lost to refinishing (page 108 – 109). The rear of the 15 round magazine is marked “U” which is listed as a miscellaneous mark (page 142-143).
Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a Type II adjustable aperture assembly.
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. The wood shows scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. Some of the marks have damaged small portions of the finish or surface wood. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild
Bore Condition: The muzzle and grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is erosion at the muzzle. There is fouling and intermittent erosion in the grooves near the muzzle. The fouling should clean up some. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.9.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The metal shows light scrapes & handling marks. The left front of the receiver shows a drilled hole that has been filled with epoxy. The hole does not go all the way through to the chamber. The sides of the receiver and trigger group show areas of light thinning from contact with the stock. The top of the barrel shows a spot of thinning under the barrel band. The exposed metal shows discoloration from oxidation. The barrel shows some light surface erosion. The right side of the receiver and the bolt each show thinning constant with cycling. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus 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 a green canvas sling attached. It is in Fine condition. The rifle comes with a 15 round magazine. It shows scuffs, oil residue and light handling marks. It is in 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 National Postal Meter M1 Carbine was built back in 1943. It has been rebuilt using a mix of USGI parts but still retains some of its original NPM parts which include its Underwood marked barrel. Underwood supplied barrels for NPM. The metal was refinished during the rebuild and the stock has since been refinished. This is a good looking M1 Carbine to add to the collection and take out the range. Good luck.