Bought an 8-1943 NPM Carbine Yesterday

Yesterday I made an unexpected purchase when I stopped by my favorite gun shop. As I reviewed items in the used pistol case, a customer pulled a Carbine off the display board behind me, and the guy behind the counter began to talk about it. He said they had just gotten it in Tuesday from someone who traded it for an AR, who told them the Carbine had belonged to his grandfather. I turned around as the customer considered it briefly, and then he placed it back on the display board. I then immediately took it down, glanced it over for 5 seconds, and said "I'll take it." I paid 15 for it, and it's my fourth Carbine, and my first NPM. I bought my first Carbine (a Winchester) in Hawaii 42 years ago. My other two are Inlands. This is my first Carbine without the later style bayonet barrel band.

I think I did pretty well on it. The stock does not have any cartouches, and there are some apparently non-original parts on it, but I'm very happy with it. I even like the very well executed stock repair on the left side of the rifle.

I'm posting it here for your thoughts. I will do a Carbine Club Data Sheet on it next week, but until then, here's what I have observed on this first block National Postal Meter Carbine.

IS Oiler
UI Magazine
Buffalo Arms Barrel Dated 8-1943
Has a double hit proof mark
W Barrel Band
PN Recoil Plate
N15 Slide
SN Push Safety
N9 Trigger Housing
LN Sear
M Mag Release
SG Bolt
SN Front Sight
N-A and S Peep Sight
Trimble TN 1332 Stamped inside sling well











Any input is appreciated. I'm not looking to make it all correct. My thing has always been to leave them as they are.

Thanks!

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

W5USMC wrote: Think that the numbers in the sling well may indicate that the stock at one time may have been on one of the Bavarian returns.  The rear sight base is backwards, the S should be on the left and the N-A should be on the right, the flip(peep) appears to be the correct orientation. To my eyes the entire rear sight may be a bit questionable.  What do you mean by W barrel band? Regardless, the barrel band looks like it may be a cut down type 3.  And yes, I agree the stock repair on the left side looks well done and pretty cool!

Thank you for your input, W5USMC.

Regarding the rear sight base, is there a definite correct orientation of the base itself? (I understand the peep sight orientation drama beginning with Inland 18)

I'll take a pic of the W on the barrel band tonight.

David Albert
dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

I’ll second the statement about the stock having been on a Bavarian or Austrian used carbine at some point.

painter777 wrote: ETA: Are the plugs in the stock repairs from having a Grenade Launcher Site mounted on it?

Thank you for everyone's input. Here is a photo of the "W" marked barrel band.

I meant to also mention that this rifle does not have any import marks.



David Albert
Dalbert@sturmgewehr.com

Wonder if the previous owner to Dave lived in a 'Bayo's are illegal' area and had to cut it down?

Winchester had a carbine barrel contract in 51-52