Whenever I posted my WWII Tommy gun, references were made to “Combat”, the 60’s television series, which I didn’t know. So I started watching it on internet. In addition to Sgt Saunders’ Thompson, lots of M1 Carbines are featured in the show (as well as Garand and BAR).

I also recently scored 1900 rounds of cheap ammo.



So I started keeping an eye out for one and started learning about them. And as I am on a lucky streak these days, this little rifle popped up on the website of an LGS. He’s been hit hard by restrictions related to Covid, especially at the range which is a big part of his business, and he is offloading lots of weapons with discounts to generate cash.

The gun has some patina but is in very nice condition and the bore is excellent. Price was $ 595.-





It looks like it avoided the post war upgrades













Barrel is marked (hard to photograph)

Underwood
2-44
Flaming bomb
“P” proof mark



Brigadier General Guy H. Drewry and Underwood Elliott Fisher initials with the crossed cannons







I was allowed onto the range in order to test fire it

15 shots slow fire at 25 m standing



Then 3 shots to the head slow fire and the rest in rapid fire, at 50 m standing



I think it’ll fit very nicely in my small WWII U.S. weapons collection

S&W Victory



Colt 1911A1



Remington Rand 1911A1



Thompson 1928A1



I’ll need to take a family photo

Nice Underwood carbine.I also have a Underwood m1 carbine. Yours looks like it’s in better shape cosmetically. And that was a great price.

You stole that gun. Here that would be a $2,000.00 gun.
I like your Thompson also.

I’d say you got that rifle for less than half what it would have been here. Nice! They’re great fun.

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Everybody could shoot

You stole that!

BTW it's in as issued configuration. Flip up rear sight, push button safety, and no bayonet lug.

If it's not import marked easily worth 3 times what you paid.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

The M1 carbine is my favorite rifle, though I made the mistake of shooting a friend's M2 and now I'm chasing that dragon. I will also say, if you get one that works, hold onto it. I've had a few with various troubles that were absolute nightmares to work with, and never quite got running right. My current carbine is never leaving.

My current one, a CMP carbine that was an Austrian Gendarmerie gun post war





Others

Less then $600.00 US for that Underwood (in that good condition) is a crime! You took advantage of the poor LGS.
Hope you realize I’m joking. Great early Carbine - flip peep sights, flat head bolt and the type two hand-guard band . Wow!
I’ve got several Carbines, including an M1A1.

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"Your other right........."

I would buy a dozen at that price.

Many gun store owners are going to go out of business soon if they don't have anything to sell. All the normal firearms/ammo/component pipe lines are dry.

My dealer is buying guns from me now. That's a real switch.

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That's just somebody talkin.

STOP THIEF!!!

Nice M1 Carbine!

Given your posts, I propose we give Switzerland the new nickname of “Land of half-price and full-auto firearms”.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I can play. My Underwood-Elliot-Fisher, high wood marked Bavarian Forestry police. Which was a lend to German Police after the war for police work. Each area that received carbines marked them. Purchased from CMP way back when. Note lack of bayonet lug.

Attached Images

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S&W Accumulator

I love the M1 Carbine! I think its the perfect home defense rifle.
I have two. An Inland and a Standard products. Great little rifles and tons of fun.

here's one of mine along with a couple of war buddies.

One has to wonder if that Underwood carbine was "liberated" during WW2, and remained in Europe, thus avoiding the post-war upgrades.

I find that my Quality Hardware carbine (with all post-war upgrades) is one of the handiest weapons around. The magazines that I use in it are all WW2 vintage 15 round ones that I unwrapped, but I have changed out all the springs.

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Only a cold warrior

QuickDraw nailed it . This one is just like one coming off landing craft in pacific. Nice

From the pictures it looks to be in original as issued condition.

The trigger housing is of the stamped variety used in the 1944 Underwood rifles. There should be an ordinance bomb stamp on the bottom of the trigger guard, if it is an original Underwood there will be a "U" stamped somewhere on the housing.

The push button safety, mag release, barrel band/swivel are correct for that gun for that time. Rear sight is correct and should have an "S" or "NPM" stamped on the left side.

The data indicates that the gun should have a round bolt but the flat top bolt could correct as the switch came between 1943 and 1944. So an early 44 production could have the flat bolt. It should be marked with a stamped "U" or "WU".

The stock is correct and the stamp G.H.D. over the U.E.F., and the handguard looks to be correct also.

Overall it would seem to me that you have an original, as issued, non modified M1 carbine. That is to say, a very, very rare piece. As such it would command a premium here in the U.S. The reworked/modified Underwood sells for around $1,500 and up. Your rifle, if I am correct in my evaluation would probably easily fetch $2,000 or more.

Congratulations on a very rare and unique piece of history.

At one time I had close to 15 or 20 M1 Carbines, including two M1A1's. I had at least one from each manufacturer, plus some variations, and a lot of accouterments for the Carbines. Had one from Irwin-Pederson too.

My buddy and I collected them and put on displays at the Ohio Gun Collector's Shows. I finally got burned out and sold all of them. For what they are going for now, I kick myself when I think about it.

Nothing more to add in that collection. You have it all amigo.
I have the USGI carbine and the 1911. That's as far as I want to go. I carried a 1911 on watch in the Navy. They wouldn't trust me with a carbine. I don't think the Navy had any anyway. They had some Garands tho because we trained on those.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Any usgi m1 carbines I see around at gun shows even pre Covid will not be had for less than 1k. I picked mine up (1966ish plainfield machine) for $450 about 3 years ago. I love it and always keep an eye out for a reasonable usgi although my plainfield runs flawlessly I would still like to have a “real” m1 carbine. Congrats on a good rifle at an exceptional price.

They are such great little rifles. Still kicking myself for letting mine go.

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No baby we aint

When my father was a Game Warden, they often worked with the State Troopers who have a game division. My dad was riding with his favorite partner when a call came out about a murder suspect that was on the run. They were told to block the road leading off the highway and into the hills. The Trooper pulled the truck across the road but about 50 yards back of the highway. When my dad asked him why, he said, "So he doesn't see us and just keep going down the highway!" They get out and the Trooper reaches behind the seat of the pickup and pulls out a riot gun. My dad is looking down at his Mod. 15 in the holster. The Trooper says hold on and comes out with a M-2 carbine and gives it to my dad. The guy never came by, he went another way and they caught him. My dad did say a select fire carbine felt alot more comforting than his .38.

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The best I can with what I got

Ok, don't shoot!
I've been called some really nasty names for this. But here's the M1 Carbine updated for the 21st Century.

^^^^^
If that’s a USGI original Carbine, then you deserve those “nasty names”.

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"Your other right........."

Even if it is a GI M1 carbine, it is all reversible.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thank you for all the details you provided.

A few more closeup pictures

Your front and rear sight are original as they exhibit the right stampings "EU" and the "U" are correct for the Underwood. The ordinance stamp on the trigger guard is also correct.

Depending upon how comfortable you are with a disassembly you can check most all parts for their stamp. The "U" will probably be the most common, but other markings are "P-U", "M-U", "WU", "DW", plus many others.

The stock, in the sling cutout, should have a "M-U", "P-U", "LWU", "J" or "TRIMBLE/TN".

I have never personally seen an all original Carbine that was untouched and did not have some arsenal rework.

DON"T LIKE

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S&W Accumulator

Somewhere around the digs are a Quality Hardware and an IBM.......From the glory days at the CMP in Anniston, AL.

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S&W Accumulator

The stock is monstrous but dots on the ultimak rails rock pretty hard on the carbines.

I have not disassembled the M1 yet, but I’m generally comfortable disassembling any firearms, I have a good workbench and plenty of good tools. I’ll take more pictures when I do it.

Since this carbine was built in 1944 and the OP bought it in Switzerland, I think there's a fair chance it never made it back to a US arsenal.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I'm looking forward to it.

I agree, that stayed in Europe in as issued condition.

I'm not going to call you any really nasty names because that would serve no useful purpose. If you "updated" an Iver Johnson or Auto Ordnance carbine, then no harm has actually been done and those would be good upgrades. If you did that to an all-original, WW II issue carbine, I would simple turn pale and pass out.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

To the OP. How many forums are you going to post your carbine on? I see your post on 3 other forums.

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S&W Accumulator

Why does it matter? I belong to the Ruger, the Colt and several other forums. If I have something that is of interest to other firearms enthusiasts, I post it where I like.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Then you missed a few.

Does it matter ? Different forum have different people, not everyone follows multiple forums.

And you have the option to ignore said posts.

Ya know, my "updated" carbine sometimes gets wisecracks or snide remarks, but never outright hatred.
For those who got bent over my updated Carbine: yes it is a WW II Standard products rifle. However, due to a cracked gas cylinder, it now has a 1970s replacement barrel. So it ain't all original.
I still have the original stock, handguard, etc and could have it back in original condition in 30 minutes.
Besides, I also have an Inland that's just like Uncle Sam issued.
Admit it, you've seen much worse done to other classic firearms and a lot of that was irreversible.
This thing is a hoot to shoot. If you don't like it, tuff. I do and that's all that matters.

At Myrtle beach you can hire a plane to pull your post(banner) up and down the beach if you want to.

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S&W Accumulator

I f I owned that Carbine I would be bragging about it every day and everywhere.

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Only a cold warrior

There are those who like to denigrate the M1 Carbine and its cartridge. I think they miss a very important point: It was a far superior self-defense tool for many applications than a 1911A1 pistol. Think about it: You take your average WW2 GI and hand him a handgun. Has he been trained how to use it? Probably not. Will he be able to hit anything with it past point shooting distance? Probably not and he has a good chance of missing at that distance as well. Hand him an M1 Carbine. The sight picture is just like the one on the Garand or later 1903s. He already knows how to hit with those. Now he has a light, handy weapon that he is much more likely to get hits with.

The handgun was invaluable for certain situations, but for most, the Carbine was far superior. In a way, it solved the problem that the various pistols with stocks were trying to fix (think FN High Powers w/stocks).

My two cents. Wonderful acquisition, Classic12!

I consider my humble collection of USGI M1 carbines to be a valuable asset to my retirement fund.

Attached Images

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- Change it back -

Outstanding
But M1 carbine is a felony in New Jersey
And I could get busted just looking at the Thompson

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

I forgot I made a video while shooting it last month

Underwood M1 Carbine - YouTube

Hickock’s video is a bit more elaborated

Inland M1 Carbine - YouTube

Great group of WW II weapons CLASSIC12. That "cheap ammo" looks pretty valuable to me.

fun shooting my full auto M2 carbine down by the river. No web gear so just out for fun. The full auto capable M2's were all made by Inland. This one has a paratroop stock, which I believe was not standard on the M2's, so was added later by someone. Has a 30 rd magazine. I have my arm up because on full auto this rifle would tend to come off my shoulder because of the folding stock. About 6 or 7 years ago, I bought a really nice '44 Inland, must have been a DCM rifle, all the US rifles were rebuilt and upgraded, mine however did not have the bayonet lug or flip safety added. I reload and shoot it a lot. Great little guns. By the way, the mobster Bugsy Segal was kill in Vegas by an M1 carbine.

The OP's rifle looks to be un-modified, and undoubtedly worth a lot of money these days. Very hard to locate a rifle that did not go thru the postwar rebuild. More M1's were made than any other US issue rifle. There are some really good books about M1's, one of the best is "War Baby".

As usual, all the best, and stay safe.... SF VET

[IMG][/IMG]

I've always liked the Paratroop stocks. SARCO had some very accurate repros. if it was mine - I'd put one on - then sell the plastic one. Perhaps all would be forgiven - & it would still be easy to store. I have a similar plastic CHOATE folder on my Ruger 10-22. Even though it is very functional - I'd been eyeing a carbine paratroop stock repro made for 10-22s - much better aesthetics.

I have a euro 9mm pistol caliber carbine clone of a swiss B&T - I prefer as a house gun for size & penetration properties.

Flip sight, no bayonet lug for $595?.... Congrats. Great score!

I've got nine M1 carbines, but none in original configuration like this one. During a very long law enforcement career I often carried one of my carbines as a patrol rifle. I used two 30 round magazines clamped together. I never fired them on duty but I think a couple of times just getting one out of the cruiser helped settle things down. My uncle brought a Winchester carbine back from Normandy. He brought it home in a sea bag without the stock. He made a stock for it when he got home. He drove a bulldozer with the Navy Construction Battalion and carried the carbine in a holster on the bulldozer. My cousin hunted with it and killed quite a few deer with it. My cousin was killed in an auto accident in 1971 the the carbine was passed to his nephew who still has it. I offered him a lot of money for it but he won't sell it. Carbines are some of my favorite firearms.

After reading this, I need to get mine out and look it over. It is an Inland and in very nice condition. I had a Singer and foolishly sold it. They were purchased as home defense weapons and I never considered the collector value of them at the time. Plus, the price was right and they are my favorite rifles. They were cheap and plentiful back then.
I bought them both in 1974, just months apart, for $100 each, which was a good price back then, but unreal in today's market.
One day in 1979, the Inland was used to shoot digger squirrels on the run. That was a hoot. Yes, it is accurate enough to hit running squirrels. Last year, I scored 22 boxes of factory ammo for $10 a box.
The only other deal I've been able to get on rifles were the two free ones. A WWII Carcano in 6.35 and an 1878 Mauser .43 caliber single shot, bolt action. My new neighbor came over one day in 1976, said he knew I was into guns and the previous owner left a box of gun parts on the top shelf in the garage. He said if I wanted them, take them. The two rifles mentioned above were in the box, completely disassembled. It looked like a bunch of junk and there was no internet back then, so I muddled around with them and they appeared to have all the parts. There was some rust as the box was left open and no oil on the parts. I took all the metal parts, put them to a wire wheel and down to bare metal. Cold blued them all, came out pretty good for my first time. Sanded and stained both stocks and assembled them w/o any instructions.
Today, they are both fine shooters. The Carcano action is a bit rough, but usable.
Thanks for sharing your story.

I'd move, but that's just me.