- M1 Carbine Serial Numbers
- Universal Arms 30 Cal Carbine Serial Numbers
- Universal M1 Carbine Serial Numbers
The highest Universal serial number observed so far has been 488,363. A separate set of serial numbers was used for the Vulcan model carbines produced 1963-1965. Vulcan serial numbers recorded so far have been 1014 - 2453. During 1980 Universal produced a commemorative carbine. I don't know of any serious Universal collectors that would offer a premium for the X-guns. The first Universal Carbines were more or less exact copies of the USGI Carbine. The barrel has 12 groves. The older type was built on cast receivers with many (all?) Everyone in the commercial realm has done complete hardening of the receivers, which has been problematic in the past. Mason hamlin serial numbers. He goes on to say that 3,542 completed carbines were at the factory when taken over by Saginaw, Grand Rapids on Jan. 11, 1944 (observed serial numbers for these carbines are below 1,750,000). Can anyone give me an idea of the value or vintage of a Universal M1 Carbine, Serial number 34xx. This seems to be a very low SN. 2nd Gen Universal carbine help please. This is my first M1 carbine and if I knew then what I have found, I wouldn't have bought it. It is in excellent condition (practically new), works good other than shooting about 30' above POA @ 100 yrds, the rear adjustable sight was down all the way, the front sight is the one that has a set screw instead. The serial numbers on these carbines begin with the letter X followed by a three digit number. The lowest s/n observed to date is X056, the highest so far has been X623. The features, parts and markings of these carbines are consistent with regular production carbines in the serial number range of 6,500-10,000.
by year
| Year of | production | Serial numbers | Year of | production | Serial numbers | ||
| From | To | From | To | From | To | From | To |
| 1930 | 1936 | 500.000 | 600.000 | 1955 | 1956 | 1.700.000 | 1.800.000 |
| 1936 | 1938 | 600.000 | 700.000 | 1956 | 1957 | 1.800.000 | 1.900.000 |
| 1938 | 1941 | 700.000 | 800.000 | 1957 | 1959 | 1.900.000 | 2.000.000 |
| 1941 | 1942 | 800.000 | 900.000 | 1959 | 1960 | 2.000.000 | 2.100.000 |
| 1942 | 1943 | 900.000 | 1.000.000 | 1960 | 1961 | 2.100.000 | 2.200.000 |
| 1943 | 1945 | 1.000.000 | 1.100.000 | 1961 | 1962 | 2.200.000 | 2.234.000 |
| 1945 | 1945 | 1.100.000 | 1.200.000 | 1962 | 1963 | 2.234.000 | 2.300.000 |
| 1945 | 1946 | 1.200.000 | 1.300.000 | 1963 | 1965 | 2.300.000 | 2.400.000 |
| 1946 | 1949 | 1.300.000 | 1.400.000 | 1965 | 1966 | 2.400.000 | 2.487.072 |
| 1949 | 1951 | 1.400.000 | 1.500.000 | 1966 | 1967 | 2.487.073 | 2.574.942 |
| 1951 | 1952 | 1.500.000 | 1.600.000 | ||||
| 1952 | 1955 | 1.600.000 | 1.700.000 |
Owing to the scarcity of original M1A1 carbines, here are a few essential things for collectors to look out for. It should be noted that original un-rebuilt M1A1s are very rare and the vast majority of M1A1s on the market, have either reproduction or fake stocks. Also, since the war, many will have been rebuilt with later parts.
M1A1 Serial Numbers
Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors was the only manufacturer of the M1A1 and manufactured approximately 140,000 by the close of the war. The M1A1 was manufactured in two main production runs, both of approximately 70,000. The first was produced and delivered from late 1942 through until October 1943. M1A1s produced during this run will have early production features, such as flip sights, type 1 barrel bands, high wood etc.
The second production run, started in April 1944 and finished at the end of 1944. M1A1s produced during the beginning of the second run, will have the same characteristics as the first run, but towards the end of the run, will have features typical of a late M1, such as low wood, adjustable sights and even type 3 barrel bands at the very end of the run.
There are no actual records kept for M1A1 serial numbers and so unfortunately there is no specific way to identify if an M1A1 is original from the serial number alone. Also, during an Arsenal re-fit, M1s produced by other manufacturers could be fitted to M1A1s.
In personally examining real examples both in hand and from pictures, I have noted some of the serial numbers and barrel dates used.
| First Run | |
| Dec 1942 | 123xxx |
| Dec 1942 | 142xxx |
| March 1943 | 220xxx |
| March 1943 | 260xxx |
| March /43 | 317xxx |
| June/43 | 454xxx |
| July 43 | 529xxx |
| Sept 43 | 852xxx |
| Oct 43 | 866xxx |
| Second Run | |
| 3/44 | 5,102xxx |
| 3/44 | 5,163xxx |
| 3/44 | 5,279xxx |
| 5/44 | 5,231xxx |
There are many details, but here are the main things to look at:-
Manufacturer
All originals are manufactured only by the Inland Division of General Motors.
M1A1 Stock
All original M1A1s are made of walnut. Any other wood is wrong. Also, check out the shape and angles around the cut away for the folding stock. Fake or reproduction stocks often get this wrong.
The Pistol Grip
The side or back of pistol grip, should have a “P” proof mark, either circled or un-circled, indicating that the gun has been test proof fired.
The underside of the pistol grip should have a marking of OI and a crossed cannons emblem.
The Stock – barrel channel
There should be an OI stamped on the inside of the barrel channel. The OI stands for Overton Inland, who were the manufacturer of the stocks.
The Butt Stock
In the butt-plate number B257614* should be cast with a logo of a sunburst in a circle completed by a drawing number between 3 and 12.
All metal on the stock should be parkarized and not blued.
M1 Carbine Serial Numbers
The leather part of the folding stock should be of a very good quality and a dark brown, almost black colour. It is very common, to find the leather on the cheek pad missing.
Universal Arms 30 Cal Carbine Serial Numbers
Rivets used to attach the leather should be dull and not shiny. Brake lining rivets were used on re-builds, sometimes with a “7/4” marking. All original factory production were unmarked.