WWII Underwood M1 Carbine .30 Cal Semi Auto Matching Rifle 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,352.00

LSB#: WY241121MJ053

Make: Underwood

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 2776794

Year of Manufacture: The receiver was made between July 1943 and March 1944. The barrel date is 12-43.

Caliber: .30 Cal carbine

Action Type: Semi Automatic rifle fed by Detachable Magazines.

Markings:

The top-rear of the receiver is marked “UNDERWOOD /  2776794”.

The top-front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE”, “CAL .30 M1”.

The barrel is marked with a “P” about 2.5” back from the front sight. The front of the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD 12-43” with the flaming bomb.

The front sight is stamped with “N”-International Business Machine part

The barrel band is “MMQ”.

The slide is marked on the inside with “-U-”, an Underwood slide.

The bolt is marked “-U-” for Underwood.

The rear sight is marked “SA” for Springfield Armory, an arsenal rebuild part.

The trigger group is marked “-U-” in the magazine well for Underwood with a small flaming bomb on the bottom of the guard.

The magazine catch is marked “BR” a Rock-Ola part.

The left side of the hammer is marked “-U-” for Underwood.

The sear is marked “-U-” for Underwood.

The Crossbolt Safety is marked “EW” for Sargent & CO.

The magazine is marked  “A.I.” for Autoyre Inland.

The oiler is marked “IS” for International Silver Co.

The Stock is marked on the left side with “-U-” an Underwood Arsenal rebuild mark. The right side of the stock is marked “RMC” with an ordnance wheel. The sling well has no markings. I believe this is a Rock-Ola Music co. stock.

The lug is unmarked.

The upper handguard is marked “U-U” for Underwood.

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 serrated windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock on this rifle is an Oval cut, low wood stock with a four rivet handguard, a type 3 barrel band with a bayonet lug and an early style cross bolt safety. The LOP is 13” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. This stock has been very lightly sanded and refinished as a result it shows very few marks and lines. There are still some minor lines and compressions. There are no visible chips or cracks. There is some minor rub wear from the sling. The upper handguard shows virtually no wear. The metal buttplate has retained almost all of its finish, has sharp checkering, and rub wear around the edges. Overall the stock is in Very Good condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one 15 round magazine. The magazine is in Good + overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized / Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished / original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright, with well defined rifling and no visible erosion. There are several small places in the bore where there is pitting. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is minor wear on the friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver. There are some faint scattered marks in the finish. The barrel band shows some brown dots from age. The trigger group has turned green / brown with age. The leading edge of the muzzle shows finish loss. The markings are mostly clear. The screw heads are sharp and serviceable. Overall this rifle is in about Very Good + to Excellent 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: This rifle includes the attached sling and the magazine.

Our Assessment: The Underwood M1 Carbine is a fascinating example of American ingenuity during World War II, produced by Underwood-Elliott-Fisher in 1943. Underwood, famous for its typewriters before the war, transitioned its precision manufacturing capabilities to support the U.S. military by producing M1 Carbines. This particular example features almost all matching Underwood parts, showcasing the company’s ability to deliver complete and reliable firearms during wartime. The barrel, also an Underwood product, is dated 12-43, aligning perfectly with the rifle’s production date and further emphasizing the consistency of Underwood’s manufacturing process.

Adding to its unique history is the Rock-Ola stock, marked with an Underwood arsenal rebuild stamp. Rock-Ola, another wartime contractor, was known for producing high-quality wooden stocks, and the Underwood rebuild stamp indicates that this carbine underwent post-production refurbishment to ensure it remained in peak operating condition. The stock reflects the collaborative effort among manufacturers and military arsenals to maintain and upgrade carbines for long-term serviceability. This pairing of components from two distinguished contractors adds an intriguing layer to the rifle’s history.

With its near-complete matching Underwood parts, Underwood barrel, and Rock-Ola stock, this M1 Carbine is a remarkable piece of military history. The association with Underwood’s legacy as a typewriter manufacturer turned wartime firearm producer makes this carbine even more compelling. It stands as a testament to the adaptability of American industry and the collaborative efforts of contractors and arsenals to supply reliable weapons to soldiers across the globe. This carbine is not only a collector’s piece but also a vivid reminder of the critical role American manufacturers played in securing victory during World War II. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos Via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.