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Underwood Replacement Stock

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Joined: Mar 22 2018
Location: Dallas, TX
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    Posted: Apr 08 2018 at 2:26pm
I was handed down an Underwood carbine that my grandfather traded his pistol for on a ship in the north Atlantic in WWII. As a kid I had the bright idea to refinish the stock so I sanded it down to smooth wood and rubbed with oil. Now many years later as I realize the errors of my ways, I'd like to buy a stock that's most like the original, however I'm having problems identifying the stock with the markings that remain (mainly on the inside areas that I did not sand). 
 Here's what I know. The carbine seems to be an all-matching parts Underwood, manufactured in August 1943. The serial number 4033553 puts it in the 3rd block of manufacturing runs. It has a two-position flip rear sight and *U* stamps on the hammer, mag well, mag release, front sight, bolt, and slide. The rear sight has an "S" stamped on the side. There are flaming bombs stamped on the barrel, the front of the trigger guard, the rear of the receiver under the serial number and the bolt handle by the bolt-hold open pin.
 The stock is a walnut, high-wood, Type II stock with an oval oiler cutout. The handguard has an SG stamped on the underside and is a two-rivet type. The stock has an RS (or R5?) and 45E on the inside of the sling cutout. The metal recoil plate has an SG stamped on the topside. Everything tells me it's a Saginaw stock but the SG does not have the dots or apostrophes. If I was looking for an original supplier, should I should be looking for either LW-U, M-U or P-U stock? I think I'd rather have a stock with the SG markings so as to be as original as it was when my Grandfather got it. 
 Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Dan Pinto, Photo Editor

Joined: Nov 29 2015
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote New2brass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr 08 2018 at 3:17pm
CB, Welcome to the forums!

First you cannot date manufacture by serial when talking 4 million block Underwoods

Underwood 4 million have been reported with barrels earlier than 2 million block, but also later with a gap in barrel dates. This suggests they worked on first block and rolled into 4 million block then 2 million block and later 2 million and 4 million, then 2, 4, and 6 million together

Barrel date is a clue but figure barrel date plus 2 months give or take.

Stock sounds to be straight up Saginaw plant. Look closely at RS as it should be RSG. the 45E  has been reported on Saginaw factory and not Grand Rapids.

Only way to know for sure is by the crossed cannons as they were different from factory to factory. But as you stated you sanded it off and now part of its history.

First thing I would ask is for you to fill out and submit a data sheet, especially if confirmed take home. 

Second I would ask you to consider not changing anything if original, sanded or not!
If this had the stock swapped in the field and has been with it for 70 years why break it up? Changing things makes it "Corrected"
However it is your carbine. Do what you will. A type 2 stock that would have left the factory is any that you mention as well as others that were transferred or produced for Underwood with the correct CC (crossed cannons) for that period.

Enjoy the carbine craziness! 


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