I acquired this carbine from the NRA through the DCM program in late 1963:
The carbine was shipped from the Red River Army Depot on the 6th of December, 1963:
I found the Case USMK4 bayonet and scabbard a while after I received the carbine
The barrel is an Underwood production dated 4 - 43.
The receiver is stamped National (under the rear sight) Postal Meter and serial numbered with a number that matches the invoice. Maybe someone who has DCM documents for a carbine in their collection can tell me if it was standard practice for the Army to use the barrel manufacturer to document the transfer (look at the above document) instead of the manufacturer stamped on the receiver. I have the carbine logged in as a National Postal Meter since the serial number is stamped below that stamping on the receiver - there is no serial number on the barrel to tie the two together.
The following photo also shows the SG (Saginaw) stamped on the recoil plate.
Other Markings on the carbine:
(Please excuse the blurry photos)
Red River Arsenal stamp on left side of butt and l 0 stamped down in the sling recess:
Proof mark and rack number (?)
Stamping on mag release button M for later modified release assembly:
JM (J.M. Mueller Manufacturing) stamped on the front barrel band/bayonet lug assembly:
RIA (Rock Island Arsenal) stamped on the left front sight guard:
The internal marked parts seem to be a mix. Did National Postal Meter manufacture and mark their own parts or did they depend on other carbine parts producers for the component parts?
