Page 319 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 545
Rare Experimental
Underwood M1 Carbine Serial Number “E128” with
Sliding Prototype Buttstock - Serial no. E128, 30 Carbine cal., 18 inch bbl., parkerized finish,
walnut stock. This is a unique example of an experimental/prototype M1 Carbine that was manufactured by the Underwood Elliott-Fisher Company. This is quite possibly the only one ever manufactured as it features a “sliding” recoil absorbing type buttstock design almost identical to the later Winchester Model 12 “Hydro Coil” buttstock used on their trap shotguns. Throughout WWII several of the Defense Companies produced numerous experimental type carbines based on the wartime needs of the U.S. Military. To accomplish that they usually set aside/reserved a specific block of serial numbers usually with a letter prefix of an X, E or both,
as preproduction examples or test models. Some concepts were acted on while others became just a prototype that did not get into production. This appears to be one of the later designs. This example is serial numbered “E128” on the heel of the receiver denoting it was an experimental carbine. These carbines were usually assembled from military contract parts and used both early and late production parts with some bearing proofs while others were not. It is estimated that approximately 50-100 carbines were manufactured by several companies, with the majority of the known examples manufactured by the Inland Division and
Winchester companies. As noted, this example on the right side of the buttstock is cutaway and is fitted with a sliding outer buttstock shape. Internally it has the
sliding mechanism with a fixed wooden buttplate. Internally the machining and parts appear to be original and of the WWII production period and original to the carbine. This carbine has the standard “U.S. CARBINE/M1” markings on the front receiver ring with the rear area stamped “UNDERWOOD/E128”, and the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD/2-43/Ordnance Shell and Flame insignia”. Unfortunately we cannot disassemble the actual action as it appears
to be attached to the internal mechanism in the stock, hence the theory that it may in fact be an early/original attempt to make a fully automatic carbine. It is fitted with an early type II barrel band, A(without the sling swivel). The receiver is fitted with a blued type 1 flat bolt and a early two-position flip rear sight marked “S” on the side. It has an early all milled trigger housing with a checkered push button safety. It is fitted with an early high wood stock with a very early two-rivet handguard stamped on the underside with a “U” and the very early stylized “Pedersen” type marking. The magazine is blued and marked “IU” on the spine.
CONDITION: Very fine with 80% of its original green/gray WWII finish with a blued bolt. The stock and handguard are both vey fine showing only very minor handling marks overall with some minor scratches on the left side where the stock slides forward and back. This is a really interesting and possibly one-of-a-kind experimental/prototype M1 carbine that needs further research.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
November of 1940, Garands that were in the U.S. inventory before America’s formal entry into World War 2 are often difficult to find in any condition, having seen hard use in one of the most critical conflicts in the history of the nation and the world. Blade front and peep rear sights, with a protective cover on the set screw of the former and a set of early pattern adjustment drums (“BATTLE RANGE” windage and “LEFT/LEFT” elevation with closed arrows) on the latter. Fitted with a “SA 10-40” barrel, “SA” bolt, trigger guard, trigger housing, hammer, safety and uncut operating rod. The recoil spring assembly is of the early pattern, with a ribbed, rivet free follower rod and square/keystone profile springs. The stock is marked “S.A./G.H.S.” and “crossed cannons” on the left, with a circled serifed “P” on the wrist, a green canvas sling and a checkered steel buttplate. A 1917 dated Rock Island bayonet is included, with textured wood grips and a “U.S. flaming bomb” marked sheath. CONDITION: Fine, with 70% of the thin original parkerized finish, showing some bright wear on the high edges and contact points, typical thinning on the gas cylinder, and mild handling marks overall. The replacement stock is very good as repaired, with mended chipping on the handguard, filler on the left side of the wrist, chipping near the stock ferrule, and scattered dings and dents. Mechanically excellent.
THIS RARE EXPERIMENTAL UNDERWOOD CARBINE HAS A RECOIL ABSORBING BUTTSTOCK, SIMILAR TO THE LATER DESIGN OF THE WINCHESTER HYDRO-COIL BUTTSTOCKS
LOT 546
Pre-Pearl Harbor U.S. Springfield M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial
no. 88827, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Manufactured
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 547
Excellent World War II Production U.S. Winchester M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine - Serial no. 6531786, 30 Carbine cal., 18 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1945. Blade front and “H in shield” marked adjustable rear sights, with a proper undated Winchester “W” barrel, “C” Type III barrel band, milled trigger guard marked “3” on the side, “EW” pushbutton safety, “W” magazine catch, “W” hammer, “W” operating rod and correct blued finish round “W” bolt. Two rivet low-wood stock, with “W” marked handguard and buttstock, “F. J. ROONEEY(sic)” marked on bottom of stock grip, and a tan canvas sling. No info on F.J. Rooneey was provided. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus original parkerized finish, showing some light edge wear and handling marks overall. The stock is very fine, with added
marking (see above), some mild dents and scuffs. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
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