1. Universal's records are long gone, but some information has been collected from serial numbers and configurations of known guns. Carbine to John Blood for providing the serial number info. If you have a Universal M1 Carbine, especially one with a SN in the transition ranges listed below, or examples that don't fit the range, please send the.
2. Aug 12, 2009 Andy good luck with your carbine. I have a universal, serial number381799. Eaveryone has me gun shy on it and i sort of retired it, but i fired over 1200 rounds of surplus ammo through it and never had a missfire or any problems. Ive since added a Plainfield and Underwood to my collection and shoot them often.
3. The highest Universal serial number observed so far has been 488,363. A separate set of serial numbers was used for the Vulcan model carbines produced 1963-1965. Vulcan serial numbers recorded so far have been 1014 - 2453. During 1980 Universal produced a commemorative carbine. Serial numbers recorded so far have been 00204 - 000430.
4. Universal m1 carbine serial number lookup. Universal m1 carbine serial number lookup Universal m1 carbine serial number lookup.

Owing to the scarcity of original M1A1 carbines, here are a few essential things for collectors to look out for. It should be noted that original un-rebuilt M1A1s are very rare and the vast majority of M1A1s on the market, have either reproduction or fake stocks. Also, since the war, many will have been rebuilt with later parts.

Here is just a WAG, but non-GI 'Universal' M1 carbines were marked UNIVERSAL HIALEAH FLA. I wonder if that is what he has. If it is, I hear the early ones are O.K., but the later ones are junk. If it was me, I would go for an Inland, or an Underwood currently available through the CMP. I love the Inland I got from them for $500.

M1A1 Serial Numbers

Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors was the only manufacturer of the M1A1 and manufactured approximately 140,000 by the close of the war. The M1A1 was manufactured in two main production runs, both of approximately 70,000. The first was produced and delivered from late 1942 through until October 1943. M1A1s produced during this run will have early production features, such as flip sights, type 1 barrel bands, high wood etc.

The second production run, started in April 1944 and finished at the end of 1944. M1A1s produced during the beginning of the second run, will have the same characteristics as the first run, but towards the end of the run, will have features typical of a late M1, such as low wood, adjustable sights and even type 3 barrel bands at the very end of the run.

There are no actual records kept for M1A1 serial numbers and so unfortunately there is no specific way to identify if an M1A1 is original from the serial number alone. Also, during an Arsenal re-fit, M1s produced by other manufacturers could be fitted to M1A1s.

In personally examining real examples both in hand and from pictures, I have noted some of the serial numbers and barrel dates used.

There are many details, but here are the main things to look at:-

Manufacturer

All originals are manufactured only by the Inland Division of General Motors.

M1A1 Stock

All original M1A1s are made of walnut. Any other wood is wrong. Also, check out the shape and angles around the cut away for the folding stock. Fake or reproduction stocks often get this wrong.

The Pistol Grip

The side or back of pistol grip, should have a “P” proof mark, either circled or un-circled, indicating that the gun has been test proof fired.

The underside of the pistol grip should have a marking of OI and a crossed cannons emblem.

The Stock – barrel channel

Universal Arms M1 Carbine Serial Numbers

There should be an OI stamped on the inside of the barrel channel. The OI stands for Overton Inland, who were the manufacturer of the stocks.

The Butt Stock

In the butt-plate number B257614* should be cast with a logo of a sunburst in a circle completed by a drawing number between 3 and 12.

All metal on the stock should be parkarized and not blued.

Universal M1 Year

The leather part of the folding stock should be of a very good quality and a dark brown, almost black colour. It is very common, to find the leather on the cheek pad missing.

Universal 30 Cal Carbine Serial Numbers

Rivets used to attach the leather should be dull and not shiny. Brake lining rivets were used on re-builds, sometimes with a “7/4” marking. All original factory production were unmarked.

M1 Carbine Serial Numbers

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