Print Page | Close Window

The Last Underwood Barrel

Printed From: The Carbine Collector's Club
Category: The Club
Forum Name: Newsworthy Items
Forum Description: Newsletters and Featured Carbines
URL: http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4759
Printed Date: Mar 29 2024 at 7:11am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: The Last Underwood Barrel
Posted By: New2brass
Subject: The Last Underwood Barrel
Date Posted: Jun 12 2020 at 9:24pm
2020-F   
The Last Underwood Barrel


In 1945 James Fifield, Administrative Assistant, Springfield Ordnance District, wrote a newspaper article on the many achievements of the Connecticut companies that produced for the war effort.

“While carbines were only one item manufactured by Underwood, the record made was outstanding”

“Original conversion plans of early 1942 were geared to requirements of 1100 barrels a day by Underwood, but the program was stepped rapidly to 4400 barrels daily, and eventually to a peak production of 7000 barrels a day”

“Before the war’s end, Underwood had produced 1,706,436 carbine barrels of which 600,177 went into the company’s own carbines”

A former member in Connecticut contacted me with an interesting display of an Underwood barrel. Note the number is one digit higher than as reported in the news article.
 

It was told that this was prominently displayed in an office at the Underwood facility in Hartford Connecticut and removed before the building was slated for destruction. Unfortunately, no information was obtained as to whose office this was displayed. 

The plaque, though simple, was finely relieved for a perfect fit of the barrel. The mounts and plaque are chrome plated.

 
The barrel is appropriately dated 11-44. Carbine production ceased in April of 1944 for most factories. Underwood continued to produce barrels under a spares contract.
The gas chamber is the late style as reported in March 2016 based on observations of Marcus Rust.
http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/underwood-gas-cylinder-shapes_topic1267.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/underwood-gas-cylinder-shapes_topic1267.html


The muzzle has a rounded crown. The barrel threads and chamber are in the white. Note that the chamber skirt is long.  This has been reported on late Underwood carbines.





The Carbine Collectors Club Copyright© 2020 

http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/" rel="nofollow - www.USCarbineCal30.com

The pictures are the property of the barrel owner and used with permission for this article. The pictures or article are not to be used without prior written permission (Title 17, Chapter 5, Section 501(a) U.S. Code)



-------------
http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/club-assistance-saginaw-receivers_topic4716.html" rel="nofollow - Club Survey Saginaw Receivers



Replies:
Posted By: Beezer
Date Posted: Jun 12 2020 at 11:45pm
This is why I come to this forum.  I cannot get enough of the history.  Thank you for sharing this with us.  


Posted By: W5USMC
Date Posted: Jun 13 2020 at 12:04am
Now that would be something cool to own. Very interesting, thanks for posting.

-------------
Wayne
USMC Retired
NRA Life Member


Posted By: m1a1fan
Date Posted: Jun 13 2020 at 10:01am
Awesome, thanks for sharing. Would love to see that one come up for auction.


Posted By: jangle
Date Posted: Jun 13 2020 at 10:35am
Thank you for the detailed write up and excellent photos.  


Posted By: GotSnlB28
Date Posted: Jun 13 2020 at 10:45am
Great read! I'd suppose some more are out there but I haven't seen many 11-44 outside of this article, 1 I think. I have a NOS one a few months earlier and it's such a work of art I hate to use it!


Posted By: Butsky
Date Posted: Jun 16 2020 at 5:53pm
love to have this hanging up in my den!!


Posted By: carbinekid
Date Posted: Jun 16 2020 at 11:55pm
I wonder if we may see some out of the Philippines...

http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/uploads/2217/E3E2D9BB-7F54-40E8-9698-B78EFEFE584F.jpg


Posted By: blackfish
Date Posted: Jun 17 2020 at 5:37am
not a chance if they were US made, it's against the law


Posted By: GotSnlB28
Date Posted: Jun 17 2020 at 7:38am
Wow, that's a lot of barrels. Off hand I'd have thought they should be wrapped with preservative? If that's an old picture, they may not be in good condition anymore. I see some evidence of rust.


Posted By: carbinekid
Date Posted: Jun 17 2020 at 1:41pm
is it against the law to import tomato stakes or rebar for concrete work? They look like good substitutes to me...or at least that’s what the customs paperwork will say lol


Posted By: welbytwo
Date Posted: Jun 17 2020 at 9:42pm
One of the first Underwood Barrels



Posted By: Charles
Date Posted: Jun 18 2020 at 7:26am
Having lived there for three years. moss growing on our shoes, more rice in the sugar bowl than sugar, lite bulbs on in all of the closets, they are bound to be in pretty bad shape.


-------------
Charles
Co B 1st Batl.115 Inf. Reg.
29th. Divi.
4.2 Heavy Mortar Co Retired
Life member NRA




Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net