Bought an 8-1943 NPM Carbine Yesterday
Printed From: The Carbine Collector's Club
Category: The Club
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: Carbine Related
URL: http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7834
Printed Date: Mar 26 2026 at 11:01pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.08 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Bought an 8-1943 NPM Carbine Yesterday
Posted By: David Albert
Subject: Bought an 8-1943 NPM Carbine Yesterday
Date Posted: Feb 26 2026 at 7:08pm
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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 ------------- NRA Life Member Past Pres., The American Thompson Association Amer. Society of Arms Collectors OGCA/TCA/Carbine Club/GCA/IAA SAR Writer Author - The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising Eagle Scout |
Replies:
Posted By: W5USMC
Date Posted: Feb 26 2026 at 8:25pm
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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!
------------- Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member |
Posted By: David Albert
Date Posted: Feb 27 2026 at 5:28am
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 ------------- NRA Life Member Past Pres., The American Thompson Association Amer. Society of Arms Collectors OGCA/TCA/Carbine Club/GCA/IAA SAR Writer Author - The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising Eagle Scout |
W5USMC wrote:Posted By: New2brass
Date Posted: Feb 27 2026 at 7:26am
Yes, TM 9-1276 sight removal L-type rear sight: Drift the old sight out of dovetail slot from left to right, using a brass drift. (Dovetail tapers to left. The letter "S" is stamped on the left face of the base to denote small end of taper. the taper is an interference fit where the softer base slightly deforms into place. Once targeted it would be staked. Many reasons for a L sight getting loose, but if one was over deformed it would start into the dovetail with the S on the right. The issue being it is not evenly held and possibly rock. The TM addresses how they want loose sights addressed. Nice looking carbine. looking forward to hearing what it has.
------------- http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/wtb-magazines_topic7446.html" rel="nofollow - My Wish List |
Posted By: carbinekid
Date Posted: Feb 27 2026 at 9:47am
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I’ll second the statement about the stock having been on a Bavarian or Austrian used carbine at some point. Also I’m not a fan of the rear sight. I feel it’s a reproduction based on what I see. Shame they were so heavy handed with trying to knock it in from the wrong side. Otherwise that’s a good looking carbine!
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Posted By: painter777
Date Posted: Feb 27 2026 at 10:11am
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I have a couple of W (White ?) Type III Bayonet Bands, but have sized the pictures down to Avatar size. There is a CC Newsletter on Bayo bands that shows them in comparison to others. It compares among other things the weld spots. IIRC on W Bands the Weld spots are placed similar to WRA but shaped different, smaller diameter. The W stamp gives them away. These were often thought to be for WRA, mistakenly. ETA: Are the plugs in the stock repairs from having a Grenade Launcher Site mounted on it? Charlie-P777
------------- Living Free because of those that serve..... |
Posted By: W5USMC
Date Posted: Feb 27 2026 at 11:29am
Don't think so Charlie, the grenade sight mount is only 2 holes and would be in a different location on the stock. Looks to me like those plugs are repairing a crack that runs along the top left side of that stock. ------------- Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member |
Posted By: New2brass
Date Posted: Feb 27 2026 at 11:55am
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CCNL 356 is the srticle on bands. CCNL 214 has the blueprints. The W bands were never observed on an original Winchester carbine. All evidence points to post war. They were found on Winchester barrels with the IBM style cross cut near the front sight. These were in the wrap contracted in the 1952-1953 range. You can see the front sight was put on after the muzzle was dinged via the scratch that follows. That is a late first serial number block carbine which may be a little early for the stamped front sights. ------------- http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/wtb-magazines_topic7446.html" rel="nofollow - My Wish List |
Posted By: David Albert
Date Posted: Feb 27 2026 at 7:58pm
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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 ------------- NRA Life Member Past Pres., The American Thompson Association Amer. Society of Arms Collectors OGCA/TCA/Carbine Club/GCA/IAA SAR Writer Author - The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising Eagle Scout |
Posted By: New2brass
Date Posted: Feb 28 2026 at 9:48am
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Dave, what marking on the hand guard? Best, Dan ------------- http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/wtb-magazines_topic7446.html" rel="nofollow - My Wish List |
Posted By: painter777
Date Posted: Feb 28 2026 at 10:57am
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Wonder if the previous owner to Dave lived in a 'Bayo's are illegal' area and had to cut it down? Then put the later Type II SN Front Sight... Dan, Do you recall if one of the Crate of WRA's had a W Bayo? Wayne, Thx, I think I joined a scope mount in my mind with a grenade site. I have a few grenade site and remember now they have a round mount... W Bands: I've seen them with the W sand blasted off, Lug cut back, reparked and sold as a WRA Type II Band. Knowing the location of the Weld spots is similar, But different in Shape Dave's Hand Guard: Maybe a WRA... Thx for sharing it. Charlie-P777 ------------- Living Free because of those that serve..... |
Posted By: David Albert
Date Posted: Feb 28 2026 at 11:21am
TN Handguard David ------------- NRA Life Member Past Pres., The American Thompson Association Amer. Society of Arms Collectors OGCA/TCA/Carbine Club/GCA/IAA SAR Writer Author - The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Reising Eagle Scout |
Posted By: New2brass
Date Posted: Feb 28 2026 at 11:58am
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Box of 10 CCNL 371 shows six of them had "C" marked bands. the other 4 unknown Same newsletter was the Perry 6 which included 3 with stainless steel barrels which all had the "W" bands. Perry and Associates bought these direct from Winchester-Western in 1975. ------------- http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/wtb-magazines_topic7446.html" rel="nofollow - My Wish List |
Posted By: painter777
Date Posted: Mar 01 2026 at 8:20am
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DAN, THX once again, I had forgot about the Stainless barrels But do remember Newscot bringing this up. Charlie-P777 ------------- Living Free because of those that serve..... |
Posted By: New2brass
Date Posted: Mar 01 2026 at 10:29am
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https://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/group-of-late-winchester-carbines_topic2776_page1.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/group-of-late-winchester-carbines_topic2776_page1.html think one of the box of ten in above post ------------- http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/wtb-magazines_topic7446.html" rel="nofollow - My Wish List |
Posted By: welbytwo
Date Posted: Mar 01 2026 at 11:39am
| I got a W marked type 3 band on a winch barrel from the norway stash-from memory it had the IBM type sight cut on the barrel so may have been a viet nam era replacement barrel assy-it was nos--I read something about them being made in that era someplace by winchester-- |
Posted By: New2brass
Date Posted: Mar 01 2026 at 12:06pm
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Winchester had a carbine barrel contract in 51-52 ------------- http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/wtb-magazines_topic7446.html" rel="nofollow - My Wish List |
Posted By: Skippy
Date Posted: Mar 03 2026 at 8:05pm
Hello Dan, thank you for referencing these technical manuals in your posts. Because of your reference, I just got TM 9-1276 / TO 39A-5AD-2 and it is an excellent, comprehensive and concise manual on care and maintenance of the carbine. Thanks again. Skippy
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Posted By: New2brass
Date Posted: Mar 04 2026 at 6:31am
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Skippy, If you click the forum banner picture, it will take you to our web pages. Menu on the left. Scroll down to "Books & Publications" and you will see all the books published on the M1 carbine followed by the manuals that were directly related to the carbine. Enjoy! ------------- http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/wtb-magazines_topic7446.html" rel="nofollow - My Wish List |