Formed in the 1940s by the Irwin family, Michigan furniture makers, and arms designer John Pederson, Irwin-Pederson produced approximately 150,000 M1 carbines before the Ordnance Department canceled their contract, making the Irwin-Pederson M1 Carbines very scarce. "N" blade front and "S" and "RP" marked two leaf rear sights, with an "(illegible)-44" Underwood barrel, unmarked Type I band, flat bolt, push button safety, milled guard, unmarked magazine catch and a blued "U" magazine. Smooth pistol grip stock, with a 2-rivet handguard, high wood forearm, circled unserifed "P" on the grip, "crossed cannons/S'G'" on the right side of the stock, "SG" in the sling cut, and a "PM-IP" marked checkered buttplate.