Description

1943 Underwood M1 Carbine, .30 Caliber

1. Identification & Provenance

Firearm Type: U.S. M1 Carbine, semi-automatic light rifle. Caliber: .30 Carbine (7.62x33mm).
Manufacturer: Underwood-Elliott-Fisher (Underwood), one of the prominent wartime commercial manufacturers contracted to produce small arms for the U.S. military.
Production Date: October 1943 (10-43), placing it squarely in the middle of peak World War II industrial mobilization following the pivotal Guadalcanal and North African campaigns.

2. Distinctive Markings & Technical Features

Barrel Stamp: The barrel shank is clearly roll-stamped with the Underwood manufacturer mark alongside the 10-43 date code and the traditional U.S. Army Ordnance flaming bomb proof stamp (image3_2.jpeg).
Rear Sight: Fitted with a Type 3 stamped adjustable rear sight featuring windage and elevation drums (image4_2.jpeg). Like the vast majority of WWII-era combat carbines, this indicates a post-war or late-war arsenal upgrade replacing the original factory “L-flip” dual-aperture sight to improve field accuracy.
Front Barrel Band: Equipped with a Type 3 barrel band featuring an integrated bayonet lug (image0_2.jpeg), which was mandated across the U.S. inventory starting in late 1944 and incorporated during subsequent military re-arsenal programs.
Stock & Acceptance Stamps: Housed in a traditional walnut stock displaying a crisp, authentic Ordnance wheel / crossed-cannons inspection cartouche on the right side (image2_2.jpeg), verifying military acceptance.

3. Condition & Configuration Assessment

Metal & Finish: The receiver, barrel, and trigger group display an honest, uniform wartime parkerized/blued finish with minor edge softening and patination consistent with active military service and subsequent armory handling.
Wood Furniture: The stock and handguard show authentic field dings, storage bumps, and handling character from military issue without structural cracks or modern modifications.
Configuration Status: This piece represents a textbook “mix-master” / arsenal-rebuilt USGI service carbine—retaining its core 1943 Underwood receiver and matching barrel date, while updated by military depots with standardized post-war features (adjustable sights and bayonet lug) for extended service life through Korea and beyond.

4. Expert Valuation & Market Assessment

Underwood-manufactured M1 Carbines are highly prized by collectors for their precise machining quality and historic contribution to the war effort.
Current Market Value: $1,100 – $1,350 on the private collector market for a clean, authentic USGI Underwood M1 Carbine featuring standard post-war arsenal upgrades.

Text messages are best for communication.

I appreciate your interest, and I also have other C&R weapons available.

Report problem