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UNIVERSAL M1 CARBINE ?

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sleeplessnashadow View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sleeplessnashadow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 22 2018 at 1:37am
Hi. I'm the researcher who did the work on Universal and authored the website.

I have a short survey that if you'll post the answers or PM me with the answers it will help me tell you more about your carbine. The survey is here:

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_Universalhelp.html

I'm interested in what you have.

Jim
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fhmfire1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fhmfire1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 22 2018 at 2:29pm
Thanks Jim I sent you more info any information you could provide would be priceless
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Rodman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rodman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 24 2018 at 7:11pm
thanks for the information. enjoyed reading it. I have had several Universals and a couple of plainfields over the years, along with my USGI carbines. The Universals were always good shooters and a lot of fun. I have a Universal I picked up at a flea market now that has a paratrooper stock on it . It is in the 90,000 serial number range. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rodman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 24 2018 at 7:31pm
great info. Jim. I never knew what the two numbers on the left of the receiver just below the stock represented. Mine has a 4 5 on it. So that means 45 months from first production ? So mine would have been produced in 1967. thanks 

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sleeplessnashadow View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sleeplessnashadow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 24 2018 at 9:08pm
Regarding the number on the left side of the receiver, I believe it was a quality control measure like a lot number. It preceded the stamping of the markings and serial number and doesn't always run consecutive to the serial numbers. It's not when the carbine was assembled. It had something to do with the manufacturing process of the receiver alone.

I'm convinced it represents the number of months from their first month of production. The first month was March or April 1962.

They didn't start using the number on the receiver right away. I have info on twenty-nine Universals between s/n 2054-9626. None have the number on the left side. The earliest regular production s/n carbines the lowest I have a number for is 11137 with the number 11. But the X prefix s/n carbines go as low as the number 9.

What helps is the stock manufacturer started stamping a date inside the stock to indicate when the stock and handguard had been completed. Earliest stock date I have is Sep 1962 (no day) on s/n 6200 with Oct 31, 1962 on s/n 4638. Neither have the number on the receiver.

Keep in mind the date in the stock was the date the stock was finished. The number on the left side of the receiver was receiver specific and preceded the s/n.

S/N   Rec #   Stock Date
X056        9     Nov 7, 1962
X371      10     Jan 2, 1963
X035        9     Jan 5, 1963
X128        4     Jan 30, 1963
X562      10     Jan 30, 1963

11137     11     Feb 1, 1963
11184     11     Feb 6, 1963
113xx     11     Feb 9, 1963
12140     12     March 13, 1963
126xx     12     April 5, 1963
12950     12     April 1, 1963
1454x     13     June 7, 1963
150xx     13     June 21, 1963
15485     14     June 9, 1963
15991     14     Aug 13, 1963
17323     14     Sep 3, 1963
176xx     15     Sept 10, 1963
1762x     15     Sept 23, 1963

They stoppedputting the dates inside the stock but the number on the left side of the receiver continued.

Leading up to te switch to the hybrid design at s/n 100,000 ...

89019     47
90271     47
90348     47
92923     45
93467     40
93534     39
939xx     44
94861     44
9490x     44
95212     50
95290     50

The number on the left side wasn't always present prior to s/n 100k. With the switch to the hybrid design at s/n 100,000 the number became less common over time. By s/n 128k it was rarely present but had reached 60.

100001    44
101491    none
101878    none
103454    46
106164    46
107597    44

But it did show up occasionally .... my guess is some of the hybrids were machined from receivers made prior to the switch to the hybrid design. Consistent with the two digit number being like a lot code put there before the machining of the receivers took place. Which leads me to believe the number was when Universal received them from the foundry or when the foundry had completed them.

192530    70
2003xx    74
218035    72

Then a changeup, they started over ....

203762      1
207868      2
215000      6
2190xx      2

308131      4
308572      5
325xxx      15
336675      19
341943      52

341943 is the highest s/n I have so far that has the two digit number.

480985     Highest s/n I have for Hialeah, FL
482143     Lowest s/n I have for Jacksonville, AR
488363     Highest s/n I have for Jacksonville, AR

Jim
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Chuck70 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chuck70 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 27 2018 at 7:02pm
I have a 50 year old Universal M1 Carbine serial #123322 that was given to me a few days ago. it was only shot once in 1968 and then boxed until a few days ago when when life long neighbor who's 89
signed it over to me. today I took it to my gunsmith to get full work over and to make sure its safe of course to use. The only thing hear is that its better than the GEN 3 model. I wondering does anyone 
know about whats its worth in near perfect condition? thx
Charles Wilson
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David Albert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 27 2018 at 8:12pm
Originally posted by Chuck70 Chuck70 wrote:

I have a 50 year old Universal M1 Carbine serial #123322 that was given to me a few days ago. it was only shot once in 1968 and then boxed until a few days ago when when life long neighbor who's 89
signed it over to me. today I took it to my gunsmith to get full work over and to make sure its safe of course to use. The only thing hear is that its better than the GEN 3 model. I wondering does anyone 
know about whats its worth in near perfect condition? thx


Chuck70,

Do you have the original box, or anything else that came with it at the time of original purchase? You mentioned it was boxed, but I'm wondering if it's the original Universal box, or a different box. Photos would also be helpful in assessing value.

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chuck70 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 27 2018 at 9:35pm
Hi David I didn’t get original box but the brochures
Were dated 4-2-1968 bought from Sears.
I will post pics as soon as I get it back from Gunsmith.
I took it earlier today to him to completely clean
And inspect everything. What I meant was my neighbor
Wrapped and boxed it ( not in original box) and it has
Been put away for 50 years. It was shot only once
Ever my neighbor said. Thx
Charles Wilson
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sleeplessnashadow View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sleeplessnashadow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 27 2018 at 11:07pm
Chuck

There are a number of variables as to value but generally the Universal's when yours was made that are in excellent condition have been selling for $475-$550. They were made as shooters and it's still their main draw to owners and buyers.

The carbines by Universal and almost every other commercial carbine manufacturer are not main stream collector items.

The biggest drawback to those above s/n 100,000 is a lack of replacement parts. The design is not that of the M1 Carbine and only a few GI compatible parts are interchangeable.

Jim
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rodman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul 08 2018 at 11:54am
thanks for the information. I found it very interesting reading. I have several GI carbines and have owned many through the years. Plus several universal carbines. Just purchased one with a paratrooper stock and a 9000 ish number. They have been my favorite firearm for sometime now.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chuck70 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul 08 2018 at 1:50pm
Thx for the information. I should be getting my Carbine back soon from gunsmith. I will
post pics asap.
Charles Wilson
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