WWII Underwood M1 Carbine .30 Cal US Semi Auto Rifle MFD 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,865.00

LSB#: LSB251216DH195

Make: Underwood

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 2676621

Year of Manufacture: The receiver was made between July 1943 and March of 1944, The Underwood barrel is dated 3-1944.   

Caliber: .30 Cal carbine 

Action Type: Semi Automatic rifle fed by Detachable Magazines.

Markings: 

The top-rear of the receiver is marked “UNDERWOOD /  2676621” The bevel has a faint flaming bomb stamp with a “B” stamped over the top. This B stamp would normally indicate a receiver produced by Singer Sewing Machine however their serial number range was 2,630,000-2,655,000 and would have a barrel dated 11-43 or 12-43 According to R.C. Larson. Craig Riesch has the serial range as 2,352,520-2,660,000 for all four Underwood sub contractors that made receivers for Underwood.    

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

The barrel is marked with a “P” about 2.25” back from the front sight. The front of the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD 3-44” with the flaming bomb.      

The front sight is marked “SI U” Underwood

The barrel band is unmarked 

The slide is marked “-U-” Underwood 

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

The rear sight is marked “S”  

The Trigger group is marked “-U-” for Underwood. 

The magazine catch is marked “-U-” for Underwood. 

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

The sear is unmarked

The cross bolt safety is unmarked 

The magazines are marked “U” for Underwood and “LU” for M.S. Little Co. for Underwood. There is a third magazine in the original wrap. 

The oiler is marked “IU” International Silver Co. made for Underwood

The Stock is marked “M-U” in the sling cut Marlin for Underwood. The pomel is stamped with a circle “P” and “RA-P” , possibly a Raritan Arsenal stamp. The right flank is marked with a “GHD UEF” stamp for Guy H. Drewry and Underwood Elliot Fisher.      

The lug is unmarked

The upper handguard is marked “MU” Marlin for Underwood.

The stock mounted dual mag pouch is marked “SACO-MOC SHOE CORP. 1943”   

Barrel Length: 18”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears.  The rear sight is an early style L type dual aperture sight dovetailed to the receiver.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock on this rifle is an Oval cut, low wood stock with a two rivet handguard, a type 1 barrel band, a later crossbolt safety and checkered metal butt plate. The LOP is 13.1” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the butt plate. This stock has been lightly sanded and refinished. The wood shows some minor lines, scratches and compressions many of which have been finished over. The upper handguard shows minor handling wear. The belly shows a small chip about 2″ from the butt plate. There is a spot at the heel of the butt where a large chip is forming.  The metal butt plate has been refinished and turned green with age. The plate shows some rub wear from before the refinish. The front right edge of the handguard shows a repair pin. Overall the stock set on this rifle is in Good-Good+ condition.     

Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes three 15 round magazines. One of the magazines is still in the original wrap. The other two are both in Very Good condition.   

Type of Finish: Parkerized / Blued  

Finish Originality: Refinished receiver. 

Bore Condition: The bore is very bright, with defined rifling and no visible erosion. The bore shows lines and marks from use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.25/10.   

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The front sight shows finish loss on the edges and on the wings. The barrel shows some thinning in the finish. The friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver show rub wear. The trigger group shows the majority of the finish loss. The markings are clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in about Very 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: This rifle includes the attached sling, magazines, magazine pouch for the stock, and oiler.    

Our Assessment: This Underwood Elliott-Fisher Co. M1 Carbine features a receiver manufactured between July 1943 and March 1944, fitted with an Underwood barrel dated March 1944. The rifle retains a high degree of Underwood-marked components or parts produced by known subcontractors for Underwood, reflecting strong overall correctness for a late-war production example. Underwood, best known as a major typewriter manufacturer prior to World War II, was one of the largest carbine producers and relied extensively on a network of subcontractors to meet wartime demand while maintaining consistent quality across production.

A notable feature is the receiver bevel, which shows a faint Ordnance flaming bomb stamp with a “B” overstamp. While the “B” is typically associated with Singer Sewing Machine-produced receivers, the observed serial range and the March 1944 barrel date fall well outside known Singer production (generally paired with late 1943 barrels). Based on published research, including ranges attributed to Underwood subcontractors, this overstamp is most likely not consistent with a receiver produced by Singer. Overall, this carbine represents a well-matched and near correct Underwood example with strong manufacturer and subcontractor alignment. To better understand this M1 carbine please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.