Underwood M1 Carbine
Underwood Elliott Fisher Company · Carbine · Discontinued · 1942
Also known as: United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1, Underwood Carbine
Overview
The Underwood M1 Carbine is a wartime-production variant of the U.S. M1 Carbine, a lightweight, gas-operated semi-automatic carbine chambered in .30 Carbine. It was manufactured by the Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, a typewriter maker pressed into firearms production, which built more than 545,000 carbines between 1942 and 1944. Like all M1 Carbines, it uses a short-stroke gas piston and rotating bolt, feeding from a 15-round detachable box magazine, and was issued to support troops, officers, and second-line personnel as a handier alternative to the full-size M1 Garand.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2360 g (83.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 2480 g (87.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 904 mm (35.59") |
| Barrel Length | 458 mm (18.03") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 607 m/s (1991 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1311 J (967 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 270 m (295 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .30 Carbine · primary — also known as 7.62x33mm, .30 M1 Carbine
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston, Rotating Bolt, Detachable Box Magazine, Wooden Stock
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1942 · as M1 Carbine
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1942 · as M1 Carbine
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Estimated total produced: 545,616 · Production years: 1942-1944
Underwood Elliott Fisher Company built 545,616 M1 Carbines, about 9% of the ~6.1 million total produced by all ten wartime contractors.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: David Marshall Williams
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
Underwood-produced carbines are identifiable by the 'UNDERWOOD' receiver marking and are collectible among militaria enthusiasts. Underwood's contribution accounted for roughly 9% of total wartime M1 Carbine output.
Background
Underwood was a New York typewriter manufacturer with no prior firearms experience, one of several civilian companies (alongside Rock-Ola, IBM, and National Postal Meter) mobilized to mass-produce the M1 Carbine during World War II.