U.S., WW2-c.May–June 1944, National Postal Meter M1 Carbine Semi-Automatic Rifle, Calibre .30, Serial No. 4354537, Scarce Wartime Manufacturer, EU/UK Deactivated

*U.S., WW2-c.May–June 1944, National Postal Meter M1 Carbine Semi-Automatic Rifle, Calibre .30, Serial No. 4354537, Scarce Wartime Manufacturer, EU/UK Deactivated*

An original U.S. M1 Carbine manufactured by the National Postal Meter Corporation during the Second World War, chambered for the .30 Carbine cartridge and retaining serial number 4354537. Manufactured during National Postal Meter's final wartime production run, this is an attractive and increasingly scarce example from one of the smallest of the ten prime M1 Carbine manufacturers.

The receiver is crisply roll marked "NATIONAL POSTAL METER" above serial number 4354537, with the U.S. Ordnance crossed cannon acceptance mark and inspector's "U" stamp beneath. The chamber is correctly marked "U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30 M1", confirming its military designation.

The rifle retains the desirable late-war military configuration, including the adjustable rear sight, Type III barrel band with integral bayonet lug, push-button safety, "M" marked magazine catch, oval-cut walnut stock and checkered steel buttplate. It is complete with a detachable fifteen-round magazine correctly marked "IU", identifying it as a genuine wartime U.S. Government Issue magazine manufactured under military contract.

An honest, military-configured example of one of the most iconic American service rifles of the Second World War, ideal for the collector of U.S. military firearms.

Approximate Measurements: Overall length: approximately 91.8 cm (35½ in.). Barrel length: 45 cm (17¾ in.)

History Note:
Officially adopted by the U.S. Army in October 1941, the U.S. Carbine, Calibre .30 M1 was developed to provide a lightweight self-loading shoulder arm for officers, paratroopers, support troops and vehicle crews requiring greater firepower than a pistol without the weight of the M1 Garand rifle. Compact, reliable and quick handling, it proved enormously successful and became one of the most widely issued American military firearms of the Second World War.

To satisfy wartime demand, production was divided amongst ten prime contractors drawn from American industry. One of the more unusual manufacturers was the National Postal Meter Corporation of Rochester, New York, whose peacetime business specialised in producing postage metering machines. Between 1942 and July 1944 the company manufactured approximately 413,017 carbines,  representing only around 6% of total wartime production, making surviving examples significantly scarcer than those produced by Inland, Winchester and several other prime contractors. This rifle represents one of the company's final wartime carbines before production ceased in July 1944.

This rifle can be confidently dated to May–June 1944 from its serial number. National Postal Meter was allocated its third and final U.S. Ordnance serial number block, ranging from 4,075,010 to 4,432,099, before production ceased in July 1944. Serial number 4354537 falls within the closing portion of this final allocation, placing manufacture during the company's last full months of wartime production and making it one of the final National Postal Meter carbines produced before completion of its government contracts.

By this stage of the war the improved adjustable rear sight and strengthened Type III barrel band incorporating the bayonet lug had become the preferred military configuration, while many earlier carbines were upgraded to the same standard through U.S. Ordnance rebuild programmes. Following the Second World War, the M1 Carbine continued to serve throughout the Korean War and remained in military inventories around the world for decades, becoming one of the most successful military firearms of the twentieth century.

*Condition*
Presented in very good original military condition with an attractive parkerised finish showing honest service wear and light handling marks consistent with military use. The receiver markings remain crisp, deep and entirely legible, while the walnut stock displays an attractive military patina with expected knocks, scratches and minor bruising accumulated through service and storage but no significant structural damage. The rifle retains its adjustable rear sight, Type III barrel band with integral bayonet lug, push-button safety, "M" marked magazine catch, checkered steel buttplate and genuine wartime "IU" marked fifteen-round magazine. Mechanically, the bolt slides freely within the receiver and the magazine removes normally, but the bolt does not lock to the rear or remain cocked, as expected for a rifle deactivated to current EU/UK specification. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the condition report.

Deactivation Details:
Deactivated to current EU/UK specification and accompanied by its original Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House Deactivation Certificate, Certificate No. 173522, dated 3 November 2022. The certificate records the rifle as a National Postal Meter Semi-Automatic Rifle chambered in .30 calibre, serial number 4354537, with a 45 cm barrel, and country of origin listed as the U.S.A. The rifle was professionally deactivated by Arundel Militaria in accordance with current UK and EU legislation.

JAQ#EIE_010720263316