Not a Universal ????

[GunnyUSMC]

Not long ago I spotted a M1 Carbine on the rack at a local shop. The guy at the counter said that it was a Universal with an IBM barrel.
I asked to have a look at it and this is what I saw.


The barrel markings were worn but I could make out the flaming boom and the letters OOD. It was not an IBM barrel.


The top of the recever had what looked like the military markings.


It had the adjustable rear sight and I couldn't see the manufactuer name, but I could see the first two letters on the left side of the sight UN. When I looked on the right side of the sight I could see the letters OOD.
It has been a long time since I saw the TV show Wheel of Furtune, but I still know how to play the game. UN_ _ _ _OOD, add DERW and you have UNDERWOOD.


I do my best to never pay the asking price on a used gun. So I asked what he could do on the price. He said he would let me have it for $450 out the door.
So I bought it.

Here are a few more pics.













It is a Universal, but not a Universal Firearms. It is a WWII subcontracted receiver made by Universal Windings for Underwood.
ONLY ~380,000 of the ~6,000,000 total manufactured carbines were made by UNDERWOOD with a receiver subcontracted by one of six subcontractors.
S/N range assigned to these subcontracted receivers; 2352520 - 2732519
Subcontractor marks; B S T W WTA WWA

[I Swan]

I never heard of that WW2 Universal thing. I still learn gun things here and there. It is always good to increase my knowledge. My knowledge on WW2 M1 carbines is a bit weak though.

[Killer Bee]

good job Gunny, nice carbine

[Enfield47]

I want to find these honey holes like the ones you have around where you live. I never see any screaming deals like the ones you have come across.

Cool info on the M1 carbines, I didn't know about the subcontractors and their codes.

[GunnyUSMC]

I knew that subcontractors were used during the war, but found out the info on Underwood after I picked up the gun.
There are three pawn shops close to my house. Two of them are fours miles to my west and the other is six miles to the east. The two to my west, I stop in them about 4 times a week and the one to the east about once a week.
I pass four others when I'm at work and go into them about once a week.
The good stuff doesn't stay on the rack long so, you have to stop off often.
I've only bought 20 guns so far this year, but only three were C&Rs.

[Mustang]

Wow, Lee...nice pickup.

I did not know that Underwood used subcontractors for some of their receivers. Where are the subcontracor receivers marked?

Years ago I got a couple of M1 carbines from the CMP. One was an Underwood...I'll have to check it out.

[Bainter1212]

$450? Sheesh........you took advantage of the poor guy!

And imagine what HE paid for it....some poor sucker needed cash and probably got $250 for it.

[musketjon]

Union Switch and Signal was a carbine receiver sub-contractor but I don't remember for whom.
Jon

[brianinca]

Since you didn't take him to dinner first, did you at least give him a kiss afterward? What a score!

[Cody805]

Since you didn't take him to dinner first, did you at least give him a kiss afterward? What a score!

Hahahahahaha

[emtmark]

Color me jelly


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[I Swan]

Union Switch and Signal was a carbine receiver sub-contractor but I don't remember for whom.
Jon

I did not know that either I need to learn a bit more on WW2 carbines.

[GunnyUSMC]

Wow, Lee...nice pickup.

I did not know that Underwood used subcontractors for some of their receivers. Where are the subcontracor receivers marked?

Years ago I got a couple of M1 carbines from the CMP. One was an Underwood...I'll have to check it out.

Universal Windings marked the back top of the receiver just in front of the Recoil Plate.

[Mustang]

Universal Windings marked the back top of the receiver just in front of the Recoil Plate.

Thanks, Lee...I see the marking in your photo now.

[pitfighter]

That is a neat bit of information on sub-contractors - well spotted!