National Postal Meter M1 Carbine
National Postal Meter Company · Carbine · Discontinued · 1943
Also known as: NPM M1 Carbine, National Postal Meter Carbine, Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 (NPM)
Overview
The National Postal Meter M1 Carbine is the wartime variant of the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 produced by the National Postal Meter Company of Rochester, New York, one of the ten prime contractors building carbines during World War II. National Postal Meter delivered approximately 413,000 carbines between 1943 and 1944 - about 6.8% of total wartime output, ranking fifth among the ten contractors. Mechanically identical to all other M1 Carbines, it is a lightweight, gas-operated, semi-automatic carbine in .30 Carbine fed from a 15-round detachable box magazine. National Postal Meter assembled its carbines largely from parts subcontracted to other Rochester-area firms, including IBM extractors and components from clock, lock, and furniture makers.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2480 g (87.5 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 2770 g (97.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 905 mm (35.63") |
| Barrel Length | 458 mm (18.03") |
| Height | 120 mm (4.72") |
| Width | 32 mm (1.26") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 607 m/s (1991 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1311 J (967 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 275 m (301 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1829 m (2000 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 40 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .30 Carbine · primary — also known as 7.62x33mm, .30 M1 Carbine, 7.62mm Carbine
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Push Button Safety
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Detachable Box Magazine, Lightweight Design, Adjustable Rear Sight, Blade Front Sight, Bayonet Lug, Sling Swivels
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Armed Forces · adopted 1943 · as Carbine, Caliber .30, M1
Conflicts
- World War II (1943-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Estimated total produced: 413,017 · Production years: 1943-1944
National Postal Meter produced 413,017 carbines (about 6.8% of total WWII output), fifth among the ten contractors.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Fred Humeston, William C. Roemer (Winchester team)
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
National Postal Meter (a postage-meter manufacturer) negotiated its carbine contract through the short-lived Rochester Defense Corporation, a joint venture with the Todd Corporation that was dissolved into NPM before production began. Many NPM carbines wear barrels marked by other makers such as Underwood, reflecting wartime parts-pooling. Government cost per completed rifle averaged about $69.43.
Background
A maker of postage meters in Rochester, New York joined the M1 Carbine's 'gun by committee' war effort, assembling 413,000 carbines from parts farmed out to clock makers, lock companies, and even a baby-furniture manufacturer down the road.