Universal M1 Carbine Serial Number



Serial

The U.S. Carbine Caliber .30


U.S. Army Ordnance
Serial Number Assignments




Universal M1 Carbine Operation and Maintenance Manual. Universal M1 Carbine Accessory Catalog - Yeah, Baby! Mounting a Scope on the Universal M1 Carbine. Best Parts Sources for Universal M1 Carbines: Numrich - www.e-gunparts.com. Universal parts on ebay (not very pro-gun, but sometimes the best source for obscure parts). These aren't my parts. Universal M1 Carbine Lookup Serial Number Alone. Dating a carbine by its serial number alone is difficult and not always accurate given the circumstances inherent with manufacturing and the logistics situation. Some people estimate a carbines date of manufacture. The carbine was taken to the shop, placed on an anvil minus the stock, and a 12# sledgehammer was applied until it was forever scrap. The problem with Universal Carbines is not that they won't usually work and not that they won't usually fire. They usually do work and usually do fire. The actual problem is that a number of them FIRE UNLOCKED.

Serial Number Tables

Models M1, M1A1, M2
By Prime ContractorTable A
Numerical OrderTable B
Subcontracted Receivers Table C
Leftover Receivers used by WinchesterTable D
Transferred ReceiversTable E
Duplicated Serial NumbersTable F
Irwin-Pedersen, Grand Rapids, & SaginawTable G
Inland Mfg - Engineering & Presentation GiftsTable H
8 Million Serial NumbersTable I
Model T3T3
Model T4T4

Understanding Serial Numbers - Understanding Dates of Manufacture

Dating a carbine by its serial number alone is difficult and not always accurate given the circumstances inherent with manufacturing and the logistics situation during the time the carbines were manufactured. Some people estimate a carbine's date of manufacture by adding the quantities manufactured month to month to the assigned serial number blocks. This is not an accurate means of estimating the date the carbine was finally assembled or when it passed its final inspection.

Serial number blocks were assigned by the Ordnance Department on an as needed basis, generally in response to the awarding of a contract to a given manufacturer. Think of each serial number block as a separate contract. Contracts had a completion date but there was no requirement for completing one contract before starting another. There was no requirement as to using the serial numbers in order.

A few manufacturers used some serial number blocks out of order. Some of these blocks were split up and used before or after other blocks. Some manufacturers used more than one block in the same time frame.

A few of the manufacturers used subcontractors to manufacture their receivers. One manufacturer separated out smaller blocks of serial numbers for use by subcontractors who would use these serial numbers concurrent to receivers being made by the prime contractor and/or other subcontractors assigned lower or higher serial number blocks.

The serial number was placed on the carbine receiver during the manufacturing process of the receiver, not when the carbine was finally assembled. The decision for which receivers would be used for the U.S. Carbine Models M1 or M1A1, and some of the M2's, were made well after the receiver was completed as all of these models used the same receiver.

Serial numbered receivers that failed to pass inspection were set aside as rejects if the defect(s) could not be brought up to minimum standards. As solutions to old problems were learned, some of the same receivers were brought back online and completed (i.e. Inland receivers initially rejected because of an off spec deep hole drilled for the recoil spring and guide, later recovered and altered to use a detachable main spring housing). If a receiver was scrapped and not used, its serial number may or may not have been reused.

No documentation from Ordnance, or any of the prime contractors, has been found that indicates the date and serial number of carbines as they were assembled or when they passed final inspection. Given the high volume of production, receivers were generally assembled as part of a carbine within a few months after the receiver was serial numbered.

Barrels were a critical component in the production lines. If inventory ran out it could shut down production. Four of the prime contractors did not have the ability to manufacture barrels. The ebb and flow of mass production created parts surpluses and shortages for all the prime contractors, barrels included. Shortages were common until Ordnance arranged for additional barrel manufacturers.

During the first half of production the barrels were often mounted on a receiver within 1-2 months of when the barrel was made. If a receiver has its original barrel and the barrel includes a date, it may provide a general idea of when the barrel was attached to the receiver.

As time goes on more and more carbines are having parts replaced. Parts wear out, carbines are disassembled for the sale of the parts individually. Carbines have been, and still are, rebuilt from spare parts. Many people have reconstructed many carbines with what they believe should have been on the carbine when it left the factory.

U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine
Models M1, M1A1 and M2

TABLE A

Prime Contractor

Prime ContractorStartEnd
IBM3,651,5204,009,999
Inland15
11999,999
2,912,5203,212,519
4,879,5265,549,821
6,219,6896,449,868
6,629,8847,234,883
7,369,6618,069,661
National Postal Meter1,450,0001,549,999
1,937,5201,982,519
4,075,0104,432,099
...as Commercial Controls (1)001239
Quality Hardware1,550,0001,662,519
1,875,0401,937,519
4,432,1004,532,099
4,632,1004,879,525
Rock-Ola1,662,5201,762,519
4,532,1004,632,099
6,071,1896,099,688
6,199,6896,219,688
Saginaw (S.G.)3,250,0203,651,519
5,834,6196,071,188
Saginaw (S'G')/Irwin-Pedersen1,762,5201,875,039
3,212,5203,250,019
Standard Products1,982,5202,352,519
Underwood1,350,0001,449,999
2,352,5202,912,519
4,010,0004,074,999
6,099,6896,199,688
Winchester610
1,000,0001,349,999
4,075,0004,075,009
5,549,9225,834,618
6,449,8846,629,883
7,234,8847,369,660

TABLE B

Numerical Order

StartEndPrime ContractorNotes
15InlandToolroom Models (2)
610WinchesterToolroom Models (2)
1199InlandEngineering (3) & Experimental (4)
100999,999Inland(see Tables C, E, F)
1,000,0001,349,999Winchester
1,350,0001,449,999Underwood
1,450,0001,549,999National Postal Meter
1,550,0001,662,519Quality Hardware
1,662,5201,762,519Rock-Ola
1,762,5201,875,039Irwin-Pedersen/Saginaw (S'G')(see Table G)
1,875,0401,937,519Quality Hardware
1,937,5201,982,519National Postal Meter
1,982,5202,352,519Standard Products
2,352,5202,912,519Underwood(see Tables C, D, E)
2,912,5203,212,519Inland(see Table C)
3,212,5203,250,019Irwin-Pedersen/Saginaw (S'G')(see Table G)
3,250,0203,651,519Saginaw (S.G.)(see Table G)
3,651,5204,009,999IBM(see Tables C, E, F)
4,010,0004,074,999Underwood
4,075,0004,075,009WinchesterWinchester gift guns
4,075,0104,432,099National Postal Meter(see Table C)
4,432,1004,532,099Quality Hardware (UN-QUALITY)(see Table C)
4,532,1004,632,099Rock-Ola
4,632,1004,879,525Quality Hardware
4,879,5265,549,821Inland
5,549,8225,549,921not assigned
5,549,9225,834,618Winchester(see Tables D, F)
5,834,6196,071,188Saginaw (S.G.)
6,071,1896,099,688Rock-Ola
6,099,6896,199,688Underwood
6,199,6896,219,688Rock-Ola
6,219,6896,449,883Inland
6,449,8846,629,883Winchester
6,629,8847,234,883InlandModel M1 & Model M2
7,234,8847,369,660WinchesterModel M1 & Model M2
7,369,6618,069,661InlandModel M2
higher s/n's(post WWII)(see Table I)

(1) leftover carbines offered to Ordnance after a company name change and completion of the NPM contract
(2) Toolroom Models: Pre-production carbines to test and finalize drawings for mass production
(3) Engineering Models: Pilot models made from Engineering Drawings
(4) Experimental Models: alternate designs experimenting with ways to reduce the time and cost of production

Notice

Tables C - F

Documents found in the past have identified several prime contractors who assigned subsets of their serial numbers to their subcontractor(s). Data collected over the years has sometimes conflicted with the information in these documents. There are a variety of reasons things may have been changed or simply ignored.

Rather than assume the documents were followed to the letter, the serial numbers in tables C-F are presented with the lowest and highest reported to date. We would like to encourage you to share information you may have that will help reconstruct what was actually done versus planned. If you choose to do so please contact us using the forum.

TABLE C

Subcontracted Receivers

(also see Table E)

LowestHighestPrime ContractorCodeSubcontractorNotes
700,126 709,449 Inland SI Saginaw S.G., Saginaw, MI(also see Table E)
707,298 938,380 Inland SG Saginaw S.G., Saginaw, MI(also see Table E)
940,600X 950,919X Inland SG Saginaw S.G., Saginaw, MI(also see Table F)
2,352,521 2,400,080 Underwood T Intertype Corp.(also see Table D)
2,452,638 2,491,453 Underwood W Universal Windings (also see Table D)
2,572,558 2,601,955 Underwood S United Shoe Machine
2,625,041 2,682,871 Underwood B Singer Mfg (also see Table D)
3,152,529 3,199,190 Inland SG Saginaw S.G., Saginaw, MI
3,835,477 3,907,689 IBM AO Auto-Ordnance s/n's intermixed w/IBM s/n's (also see Table E & F)
4,325,227 4,387,735 National Postal Peter U Union Switch & Signal the U is different than Underwood ·U·
4,432,255 4,466,225 Quality Hardware UN-QUALITYUnion Switch & Signal

TABLE D

Leftover Receivers used by Winchester

Underwood had receivers in various stages of completion left over when their contract ended. These receivers were purchased by Winchester.
What followed was not always consistent and sometimes varied. The information that follows has been reconstructed from the data collected so far. It is not unusual
to find a receiver that doesn't fit these criteria. The focus at Winchester was meeting production quotas during a time of high demand.
    - Underwood receivers that had not yet been hardened:
      Winchester removed the Underwood name and serial number, then replaced them with the Winchester name and serial number.
    - Receivers that retained the Underwood name:
      Winchester sometimes lined out the Underwood name, sometimes not.
    Winchester added the letters W A or A W to the bevel of the receiver.
      - If the receiver had an Underwood subcontractor code, the subtractor code was left in place between the W A or A W.
      - One or both of the letters of the W A or A W code may be difficult to see. Some have been reported with only one of the
      two letters or in combination with an Underwood subcontractor code.
      - The significance of the letter A is unclear.
LowestHighest InfoCode
1,244,6971,290,339Underwood name removed, Winchester name & s/nA W
2,38x,xxx2,404,928Underwood name not lined out, Underwood s/nWTA
2,485,1252,491,867Underwood name not lined out, Underwood s/nWwA
5,759,1xx5,801,924Winchester name, Winchester s/nT
5,814,7985,820,062Underwood name removed, Winchester name & s/n A W
6,461,4796,482,225Underwood name lined out, Winchester s/nA W, W A
6,473,811 ?Underwood name lined out, Winchester s/nNo Code
6,497,1536,614,551Underwood name lined out, Winchester s/nB, BA, ABW, BW

TABLE E

Transferred Receivers

Ordnance required the name of the prime contractor to be defaced by a single narrow horizontal line. The
identification mark of the receiving facility was to be added at the rear of the serial number.

Serial numbered receivers transferred were not restricted to a certain block of serial numbers. Some were sequential but many were not.

LowestHighest InfoCode
126,794 127,006 Inland s/n'd receivers sent to National Postal MeterN
438,xxx590,828Inland s/n'd receivers sent to RockolaRockola
496,xxx634,161Inland s/n'd receivers sent to Underwood·U·
702,607 ? Inland s/n'd receivers from SI subcontract sent to Underwood·U·
724,318751,395Inland s/n'd receivers from SG subcontract sent to Underwood·U·
1,765,7611,769,771Irwin Pedersen s/n'd receivers sent to Underwood·U·
2,743,2862,770,326Underwood s/n'd receivers sent to National Postal MeterN
3,842,1773,846,371IBM s/n'd receivers from AO subcontract sent to National Postal MeterN
4,049,244 ? Underwood s/n'd receivers sent to National Postal MeterN

Universal M1 Carbine Serial Number Lookup For Equipment

TABLE F

Serial Numbers Duplicated

(including use of X Suffix)

Prime contractors and/or subcontractors sometimes ran over their assigned serial number block and into a block assigned to
another prime contractor and/or subcontractor, creating duplicate serial numbers. Ordnance dealt with this by directing
an X be added after the serial number of the receiver that exceeded the assigned block if duplicates were found.

There is insufficient data to determine if every serial number between the lows and highs was duplicated or if it was random.
It is assumed some were sequential but possibly not all. More data submissions are needed to help determine any patterns.

Lowest Highest Manufacturer Code Details
940,600X 950,919X Saginaw subcontract for Inland X at end of s/n Duplication of Inland s/n's
3,651,550 3,651,898 SG ? Duplication of IBM s/n's
3,835,477-X 3,907,689-X IBM no identifying markings IBM duplicated some of s/n's they assigned to AO
4,800,004 4,801,447 Quality Hardware X below s/n Possible duplication of their own s/n's
5,550,040-X 5,550,285-X Inland -X below s/n Overrun into unassigned s/n block & Winchester s/n's
5,550,148 5,812,437 Winchester D below s/n Significance unknown
5,557,074-X 5,557,996-X Inland -X below s/n Machine error duplicating Winchester s/n's

TABLE G

Irwin-Pedersen, Grand Rapids, & Saginaw

None of the carbines produced by Irwin-Pedersen (IP) were accepted by Ordnance. Saginaw Steering Gear in nearby Saginaw, MI was already engaged in the preparation for the manufacture of carbines along with providing subcontracted receivers for Inland. The Irwin-Pedersen contracts were terminated by Ordnance. An Ordnance supplement to the Saginaw Steering Gear (SG) contract turned over carbine production at the Grand Rapids facility (S'G') to Saginaw Steering Gear.

Irwin-Pedersen Numbers Reassigned to Saginaw at Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids manufactured their own receivers as well as using viable IP marked and serialized receivers they had acquired in the takeover. Serial numbers IP had not yet used were used by S'G'. As were serial numbers from IP receivers that were scrapped
Serial Number RangeS/N Block Reassigned toMarkings on ReceiversNotes
1,762,520 1,875,039 Saginaw Grand Rapids Irwin-Pedersen or Saginaw S'G'names are intermixed
3,212,520 3,250,019 Saginaw Grand Rapids Irwin-Pedersen or Saginaw S'G'names are intermixed
Saginaw Receivers with SG Subcontractor Markings
Receivers produced at the Saginaw plant under subcontract to Inland initially had the SI receiver code on the left side of the receiver below the wood line. The receiver code was soon changed to SG. Receivers with the SG receiver code were intended for use by Inland though they were also used by Saginaw. The serial numbers and manufacturer names identify who actually used the receiver.
Serial Number RangeS/N Block Assigned toMarkings on ReceiversNotes
3,250,020 3,651,519 Saginaw SGSG on left side of some receivers, not all
Saginaw SG Markings on Receivers with Grand Rapids Serial Numbers
Among the last 1000 serial numbers of a block assigned to the Grand Rapids plant, receivers manufactured in Saginaw with SG markings have been reported mixed in with S'G' marked receivers manufactured in Grand Rapids.
Serial Number RangeS/N Block Assigned toMarkings on ReceiversNotes
3,249,020 3,250,019 Grand Rapids S'G', some SGpossibly as many as 1000 SG receivers
SG and S'G' Mix of Receivers and Serial Numbers
The data submitted for this serial number range is insufficient to reconstruct what was done by which of the two facilities with each others receivers. The data on these receivers, serial numbers, and prime contractor names is an ongoing research project that needs your help.

Serial Number RangeS/N Block Assigned to
3,541,000 3,651,519Saginaw

Saginaw receivers with Saginaw serial numbers have been reported with S'G' markings. At least one document has been found that indicates Saginaw received Ordnance authorization to sent an unknown quantity of receivers to Grand Rapids. These receivers may not have had serial numbers when provided to Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids facility stopped carbine production on 01 Jan 1944 but continued to make receivers and trigger housings which were sent to the Saginaw Plant for assembly.

Assistance Request

If you own one of these carbines and would like to assist with the
reconstruction of this history, we have a short survey on our forum (with instructions)
for you to submit by CLICKING HERE.

TABLE H

Inland Manufacturing
Engineering & Presentation Gift Serial Numbers

(not government issue)
Letter prefixes X through XD were initially allocated by Inland for carbines intended for internal use only. The letters were followed by numbers (i.e. XA27, XA62, XD14). XA through XD was assigned for use by their Engineering Section on carbines built for testing and evaluation by their engineers. The quantity of carbines used by their Engineering Section varied so the numbers with each prefix also varied.

Inland later decided to present carbines as gifts to Inland employees, subcontractors, suppliers, members of the military or government, and others to show appreciation for their assistance and cooperation with Inlands war effort. The serial numbers allocated to these carbines were as follows.

Start
Serial Number
End
Serial Number
X1 X100
XA1 XA100
XB1 XB100*
XC1 XC100
XD1 XD100
XE1 XE100
XF1 XF100
XG1 XG100

* XB271 is a documented exception
This resulted in an unknown number of 'presentation' carbines possibly having the same serial number as the earlier Engineering carbines.

The carbines used for this purpose were not from inventory submitted to or accepted by the government. Many were constructed using whatever parts were available. Examples being outdated parts and prototype parts that had accumulated throughout the various departments within Inland over the years of production. This included a few of the previous Engineering carbines no longer needed.

Carbines that have one of these serial numbers may be an Engineering prototype, a 'presentation' carbine, or both. They are a specialty that requires each be assessed individually to determine its historical significance. They should not be altered or fired. Doing so may alter their historical value.

Assistance Available

Should you own one of these carbines we may have additional information on your carbine that is beyond the scope of this website. We can be contacted at the following e-mail address.

TABLE I

Carbines with a Serial Number above 8 million

Post WWII, the Office of the Chief of Ordnance (OCO) assigned replacement numbers to armories, arsenals, and depots for carbines having damaged or obliterated serial numbers. Numbers were issued sequentially, beginning where Ordnance had left off with serial number blocks assigned during WWII. The letter X preceding the serial number designated it as a replacement.

The new serial number was hand stamped on top of the receiver behind the rear sight, in the vicinity of the prior serial number.

Quantity StartEnd Assigned to:Date/Notes
WWII
-7,369,6618,099,661 Inlandassigned block - M2's
-8,069,6628,084,811 Winchesterassigned block - M3's - not used
Post WWII - Assigned by Office of the Chief of Ordnance - Documents unclear if X added
9 8,084,8128,084,820 'Mr. Thompson', Field Services04 Mar 1949
1 8,084,821 National Guard Bureaudate unk
1 8,084,822 Raritan Arsenal14 Feb 1950
Post WWII - Assigned by Office of the Chief of Ordnance - X Prefix
3 X8,084,823X8,084,825 Raritan Arsenal18 Feb 1950
1 X8,084,826 Missouri National Guard17 Jul 1950
1 X8,084,827 Florida National Guard04 Apr 1951
25 X8,084,828X8,084,852 Rock Island Arsenal15 Jun 1951
1 X8,084,853 California National Guarddate unk
1 X8,084,854 Mt. Ranier Ordnance Depot18 Sep 1951
1 X8,084,855 Raritan Arsenal28 Nov 1951
25 X8,084,856X8,084,880 Mt. Ranier Ordnance Depot10 Dec 1951
200 X8,084,881X8,085,080 Rock Island Arsenal30 Jan 1952
20 X8,085,081X8,085,100 not reported18 Feb 1952
2 X8,085,101X8,085,102 Raritan Arsenal14 Sep 1953
1 X8,085,103 National Guard (no State indicated)15 Jan 1954
1 X8,085,104 Sampson AFB17 Aug 1954

Universal M1 Carbine Serial Numbers And Dates


The addition of the serial number on the top of the receiver forward of the rear sight indicates
the serial number behind the rear sight was obscured by an adjustable rear sight.
InlandWinchester
4 Digits: 0001- 0835
5 Digits: 00001-00900
5 Digits: 01701-07545
InlandWinchester
6 Digits: 000001-unknown
(also used standard s/n's)
used standard s/n's

Serial Number stamped Twice


If an adjustable rear sight obscured the serial number, Ordnance personnel were authorized
to also stamp the number on top of the receiver between the rear sight and bolt.

Other Letters

Universal

Should you have questions, assistance is available on our Discussion Forum.

The Discussion Forum also serves as a reference desk for the more advanced material that could easily overwhelm a website and is often subject to opinions that may vary
due to a lack of original documentation. A number of researchers and authors are present on the forums, helping others and seeking information for various research projects.

© Copyright 2012- The Carbine Collectors Club. All Rights Reserved.


(This website is not affiliated with any company, it is an attempt to reconstruct their history)



M1 Carbine Serial Number Lookup

Universal M1 Carbine Serial Number

Part I: The Early Years

Introduction & Overview

More than 426,000 carbines were manufactured by Universal Firearms over a 25 year period from 1961 through 1986. This was 10 years longer and more than three times the quantity manufactured by any other commercial carbine manufacturer. In the beginning the first Universal Firearms carbines were 100% compatible with surplus GI carbine parts, their carbines included many of these parts. As with every other commercial carbine manufacturer, as surplus GI carbine parts became scarce, Universal Firearms began using commercially manufactured substitutes. Unlike other commercial carbine manufacturers, some of the commercially manufactured parts used by Universal Firearms were eventually compatible with the Universal Firearms carbines only and not interchangeable with their surplus GI counterparts.

In 1967 beginning with serial number 100,000 Universal Firearms implemented a major design change to the carbines they produced. The design had been patented by Universal and the majority of parts were no longer compatible with their GI counterparts. The design change was significant enough that the carbine it produced was no longer an 'M1 Carbine'. What makes a carbine an M1 Carbine is the use of the design and parts of the original U.S. M1 Carbine, as set forth by U.S. Army Ordnance in the 1940's and early 1950's. The Universal Carbine retained the overall outward appearance and ammunition of the U.S. M1 Carbine, but the internal design and parts were a hybrid replica of the M1 Carbine.

Over the years many M1 Carbine enthusiasts and collectors have had a poor opinion of the carbines produced by Universal Firearms. Some complained about the design changes, some claiming the changes were unsafe as they did not meet the standards set forth by U.S. Army Ordnance. Many companies in the history of firearms have manufactured 'carbines' of various different designs, operating actions, calibers, etc. None comparable to the standards of a U.S. M1 Carbine simply because they were not based on the design and changes approved by U.S. Army Ordnance for the Caliber .30 M1, Carbine. Different is not the same as better or worsse. Confusing this issue is the fact the first 8000 carbines manufactured by Universal Firearms were of the same design as the U.S. M1 Carbine and most of the parts were interchangeable with surplus GI carbine parts.

Many owners of the carbines manufactured by Universal Firearms have enjoyed them for many years without encountering any problems. As with any other firearm, every part thereon and therein has a lifespan. All semi-automatic centerfire rifles share a number of common safety features that should be inspected periodically and when buying a used one. With a used gun, it's not the name on the firearm that matters as much as having a competent mechanic check under the hood before we drive it.

All of this should be kept in mind if and when you may encounter negative comments regarding the carbines manufactured by Universal Firearms. Investigations conducted by this author have found the majority of complaints were either not from first hand experience, did not include examination by a knowledgeable person to determine exactly why something went wrong (think semi-auto rifle gas systems, headspace, poor quality or worn out magazines), or one complaint was posted on an internet discussion forum and quoted on a dozen others making it sound like more than one. The issues discovered with a Universal Carbine or Universal M1 Carbine have been consistent with all commercially manufactured carbines, regardless of who made them. Refer to the Safety issues page on this website. Remember, a used semi-auto rifle requires more maintenance and safety inspections than most other firearms. Also keep in mind that if the carbines manufactured by Universal Firearms were as bad as the rumors, how did they manage to stay in business so long and make so many carbines?

Overview

Hialeah, FL Jacksonville, AR
Years in Operation:1961-19841985-1986
Total Quantity Produced:420,000+6,400
Serial Number Range (approx.)
Vulcan (.44 Magnum):1000 - 25000
M1 Carbine (1):2000 - 999990
Universal Carbine (1):100000 - 481000482000 - 488400
Universal Carbine in Stainless Steel (2):S01000 - S01600SS02000 - SS03500
Commemorative Model:00001 - 005000
Presentation Carbines:X001 - X6500
(1) Serial numbers inclusive of both .30 caliber carbine models and .256 Winchester Magnum Models.
Though several Jacksonville, AR brochures list .256 Winchester Magnum models none were
manufactured in Jacksonville, AR.

(2) All stainless steel Universal Carbines were manufactured in, and marked as, Hialeah, FL. Those
acquired and sold by Jacksonville, AR have the serial number prefix SS. Some of the
stainless steel carbines were blued.

Note: Quantities and serial number blocks are approximate and may vary slightly.

Universal Firearms Corporation

Part IPart IIPart IIIPart IV
The Early YearsUniversal ChangesUniversal Sale and Universal ReduxDetails on Specific Models

Part I: The Early Years

The Beginning

War Baby Comes Home by Larry Ruth has a chapter devoted to the commercial carbine manufacturers. Included are nine pages specific to Universal's carbines. Some of the information regarding the company itself was provided by a person who had been affiliated with the company, did not wish to be identified, and who was interviewed by someone on Ruth's behalf. The interview was conducted after Universal's demise. The source indicated Bullseye Gun Works of Miami, Florida was founded as a gun shop in 1954, by 1956 or 1957 they began shipping M1 carbines wholesale to American retailers. Bullseye built their own receivers and barrels. Bullseye produced approximately 2000-2500 M1 carbines with their name on the receiver. Bullseye reorganized as Universal Firearms Corporation in the late 1950's.

Records of the State of Florida Dept. of State, Division of Corporations show Bullseye Gun Works incorporated in January 1960 with the directors as Jerry Resnick and Abe Seiderman. Bullseye Gun Works advertisements for carbine receivers, barrels and parts appear in Shotgun News, monthly, for at least the latter part of 1961.

Florida corporate records show Universal Firearms incorporated in Florida in June 1961. The articles of incorporation identified the directors as the corporate attorneys of the law office that submitted the application. The first indication of the actual corporate directors appears on the corporate tax return for 1962, dated July 1962. The president was Seymour Sommerstein, vice-president Robert Sommerstein, executive vice-president Jerry Resnick, and secretary-treasurer Abe Seiderman. The business location is indicated as 3746 E 10th Ct, Hialeah, FL. Starting with the corporate tax records for 1964, dated July 1963, Jerry Resnick no longer appears affiliated with Universal.

So far, the first indication that Universal was manufacturing M1 carbines appears in the April 1, 1962 issue of Shotgun News, within an advertisement for Southern Gun Distributors of Miami. Notice the ad states the receiver was manufactured from '4135 certified forging', meaning forged steel as opposed to cast metal.


Shotgun News, April 1, 1962

Gun Digest is an annual publication whose 1st Edition was in 1946. Each issue is divided into specific sections. One section includes chapters devoted to new firearms, a large section depicting current manufactured firearms and their information, and another section that is a directory listing that includes firearm manufacturers. The chapter devoted to new rifles in the 18th Edition pp. 225-226 (published in late 1963, for 1964) introduces the Vulcan 440 slide action .44 magnum carbine manufactured by Universal Firearms Corporation. The primary focus is the Vulcan, but the article states Universal also 'now offers' a commercial duplicate of the .30 caliber M1 carbine. Interestingly, the article states Universal's M1 carbine used all new commercially manufactured parts. This means Gun Digest's author had not examined the actual carbine. The rifle depicted in the photograph below the article is not the Vulcan 440, it's their M1 carbine, which the caption calls 'Universal's new M1 carbine' (below). The section on currently manufactured firearms does not include Universal's rifles. Universal Firearms Corp. is listed in the the arms manufacturer directory in the back of the book.

The statements in the Sloan's ads in August 1962 and Gun Digest's chapter on new rifles in 1963/1964, that Universal's M1 carbines were being manufactured using all new commercially manufactured parts, may indicate their M1 carbines were being advertised before they were actually available in any quantity.


1964 18th Edition Gun Digest (published in late 1963)

Universal Firearms Vulcan 440 pump action .44 magnum


The Miami News Sun June 7th, 1964

In August 1964 Bullseye Gun Works notified Florida the corporation had been dissolved. Resnick continued doing business as Bullseye Inc. the gun shop. For further information on Bullseye Gun Works, refer to the page on this website dedicated to Bullseye Gun Works.

First Sightings

The first year the Vulcan 440 and the Universal M1 carbine are depicted in the Gun Digest list of current rifles is the 1965 19th Edition (published late 1964). The May 1965 edition of Shooting Times magazine pp. 71-73 includes a four page review of the Vulcan 440 carbine. Described are the many features it shared with the original GI M1 carbines. The only negative comments were the opening between the receiver and slide handle and Universal's claim it would work with 'all .44 caliber cartridges'. They confronted Universal about this statement, and it's clear the people doing marketing at Universal made some statements, in writing, that were not based on the operational abilities of the weapons they made. This should not be cause for criticism of Universal's carbines, these marketing tactics are unfortunately, often universal.

The first data for the Universal Firearms M1 carbine appears in the 1965 19th Edition of Gun Digest.

Basic Universal M1 Carbine
Caliber: .30 carbine
Barrel: 18 inches
Weight: 5 lbs
Length: 35.58 inches overall
Stock: American walnut
Sights: fixed front, adjustable rear


Example of an early Universal GI type M1 Carbine

Over the course of the company's lifespan, Universal changed the markings and their layout on their carbine receivers several times. The first set of markings used by Universal began at the beginning of production, continued until sometime after s/n 276xx, and changed sometime before s/n 405xx.

Markings and their Positions - prior to s/n 405xx

Serial number forward of rear sight, Universal name behind rear sight
U.S. CARBINE, CAL. 30 M1 on receiver ring
Photograph courtesy of Eddy Yuja

The First Alterations

The serial number on this first group was usually oriented with the bottom of the numbers facing the rear of the carbine and the top of the numbers facing the front of the carbine. Without any pattern or discernable reason, some of serial numbers were oriented 180 degrees (upside down) from the usual orientation.

A few very early Universal carbines have trigger housings manufactured during WWII for the GI carbines. Within the first two years, Universal began production of an aluminum trigger housing, somewhat similar to the GI trigger housings. Within a year, Universal redesigned their M1 carbine trigger housings again. Carbines with this redesigned trigger housing appear as early as s/n 1875x and appear to have been used exclusively s/n 445xx and later. This redesigned trigger housing was also manufactured from aluminum. The sides of the housing were thickened and run parallel front to back, giving the housing an overall rectangular shape. This trigger housing required the stock be cut to allow room for the larger trigger housing, making the GI stocks no longer interchangeable with the Universal stocks. The Universal trigger housing does not fit inside any stock other than the Universal stock, unless several significant modifications are made to the wood of the non-Universal stock.


Universal Firearms aluminum trigger housing

Side thickness has been increased (started prior to s/n 460xx)


U.S. GI carbine stock and trigger housing (top), Universal stock and trigger housing (bottom)

Aluminum is not a metal that can be blued or parkerized like the rest of the carbine. Universal painted their trigger housings black. With continued use over time the paint may flake off. If this happens, it can be repaired by simple sanding and repainting the trigger housing. You might want to use a semi-gloss black bar-b-que paint or something like Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II, which is made for aluminum and a variety of other surfaces. The web page showing this product has links to several instructional videos that are worth watching, no matter what you use. They are a good example of how to use spray paint. They also have good on cold bluing and removing rust that apply to all products, not just their own.

The Shooter's Bible was another annual publication devoted to hunting, currently manufactured firearms, and accessories. The 57th issue 1966 (published late 1965) depicts the 'Universal .30 M1 Carbine', the 'Universal .30 caliber Pistol', and the Vulcan .44 magnum rifle. The description of the '.30 caliber Pistol' indicates the receiver was manufactured from '4140 certified forging'. The photograph clearly shows this predecessor of Universal's Enforcer Model used the GI type barrel band. The .30 M1 Carbine drawing appears the same as the one in the 1964 Gun Digest, clearly showing a GI type barrel band with attached bayonet lug. As you will see below, the parts sometimes help to identify the time period a particular Universal carbine was made.


57th Issue The Shooter's Bible - 1966 published in late 1965
Notice the hand guard, barrel band, and sights, these later changed.

Another early change implemented by Universal was elimination of the GI front sight that used a key between the top of the barrel and a groove in the underside of the top of the sight, with the sight held in place by a retaining pin. They replaced the front sight with a commercially manufactured model that was held in place by a set screw in the top of the sight. This made the removal and installation of the front sight easier, but if it is ever removed and reinstalled it tends to come loose when the carbine is fired. Front sights that are very difficult to remove, if not impossible, may have been cemented to the barrel by a previous owner. If you remove and replace the front sight, it is strongly recommended the set screw be treated with a thread lock substance that will hold it in place but not make it impossible to remove (e.g. Loctite Threadlocker Green)


Front sight set screw used mid 60's & later (first observed on s/n 338xx)

In September 1964 Universal Firearms Corp. and inventor, Abe Seiderman, applied for a patent for a 'Stock Lock Device'. This was a round barrel band for a newly designed M1 carbine stock. The stock tapered down at the forend, allowing the round barrel band to secure the handguard, barrel, and stock together. The band was secured to the stock using a set screw in the bottom of the band. Patent #3,208,178 issued September 1965. The first carbine utilizing this device was introduced in 1966.


Stock Lock Device Patent


Universal Model 30 M-1 with new 'stock lock device' barrel band & optional Monte Carlo style stock

A Change in Markings and Layout

By serial number 316xx Universal changed the markings and their layout on their carbines. The change was probably made sometime during 1964. This marking pattern continued into the 128000 serial number range with one change that eliminated a few letters.
The U.S. in 'U.S. CARBINE' was eliminated about s/n 87000.

Universal's Detachable Scope Mount

In October 1967 Universal Firearms Corp. and inventor Abe Seiderman, applied for a patent for a 'Detachable Mount for Telescopic Gun Sights'. Patent #3,424,420 issued January 1969. The left side of the receiver was drilled and tapped on most models after the scope mount was introduced. The stock was altered to accommodate the scope mount. When the mount was not in place, a soft piece of plastic snapped into the holes in the receiver and filled the gap between the receiver and the stock.

The scope mount holes, stock cut for the mount and plastic insert had become standard on all carbines manufactured by Universal Firearms during the Fall of 1964 (about s/n 41000).


Universal's detachable scope mount


Drilled & tapped receivers were standard on most models, once the mount was introduced.


The stock also came standard with a cutout for the scope mount. A piece of soft plastic was used to fill the gap when the
scope mount was not in use. Occasionally this plastic piece is lost. Replacements may be found at Numrich Gun Parts.


All steel Universal Firearms 2.5x rifle scope with duplex cross-hair reticule, made by Weaver in the USA.

The First Catalog

Gun Digest 1967 shows the GI version of the Universal M1 carbine, with a footnote that Universal offered five other versions of their basic M1 carbine, including two models chambered for the .256 cartridge. Also shown is the Vulcan 440. A Universal Firearms Corp. advertisement from the 1960's is depicted in Ruth's War Baby Comes Home, p.738. It shows the GI carbine model with the GI type barrel band, and ten other models that all used the newly designed round barrel band and newly designed stock. The catalog, unfortunately, is undated. However, a catalog dated 1968/1969 shows a very different set of model numbers and offerings.

The model designations and carbines depicted in the following table are believed to be circa 1966 and prior.

Model*Barrel BandStockFinishDrill/TapScopeMisc.
30 M-1 B GI typeAmerican Blk Walnutsatin bluenonoGI model
30 M-1 A roundhardwoodbright blueyesno(not like the GI M1A1 carbine)
30 M-1 BN roundhardwoodnickel platedyesnoM-1 A, silver 'presentation' name plate
30 M-1 BB roundAmerican Blk Walnuthigh gloss bright blueyesno
30 M-1 OS roundAmerican Blk Walnut, Monte Carlohigh gloss bright blueyesnoM-1 BB, adjustable folding rear sight, ramp front sight w/ gold bead
30 M-1 BG roundAmerican Blk Walnut24k gold platedyesnoM-1 BB, gold 'presentation' name plate
256 Ferret AroundAmerican Blk Walnuthigh gloss bright blueyesyesM-1 BB in caliber .256 Ferret, no sights, tapered bbl
30 Cal Ferret roundAmerican Blk Walnuthigh gloss bright blueyesyesM-1 BB in caliber .30 carbine, no sights, tapered bbl
Enforcer B roundAmerican Blk Walnut w/ pistol griphigh gloss bright bluenonoM-1 BB in a shortened 'pistol' version
Enforcer BN roundAmerican Blk Walnut w/ pistol gripnickel platednonoEnforcer B, silver 'presentation' name plate
Enforcer BG roundAmerican Blk Walnut w/ pistol gripgold platednonoEnforcer B, gold 'presentation' name plate
Vulcan 440noneAmerican Blk Walnuthigh gloss bright blueyesno.44 Mag pump, adjustable rear sight, ramp front sight w/ gold bead
*Model designations do not appear on the Universal carbines

Universal M1 Carbine Serial Number Range

The above carbines and those prior were built using many GI carbine parts. The number of companies using the surplus GI parts to build carbines eventually led to a shortage of GI parts in the later 1960's. As a particular part became unavailable, Universal manufactured or subcontracted for the manufacture of a replacement.
Download the early Universal M-1 Carbine manual
(PDF format, 7MB high resolution scan)

Expansion of Operations

In April 1966 Jack Seiderman, brother of Abe Seiderman, filed for incorporation of General Machine Products Manufacturing Co. 3675 E. 10th Court, Hialeah, Florida 33013. This location was almost right across the street from Universal Firearms and is believed to be one of the locations that manufactured parts for the Universal carbines. Tax records submitted beginning in May 1968 indicate Universal Firearms Corp. had expanded their main facility, using the address 3740-3746 E. 10th Ct., Hialeah, FL. This same year they added Paul Bines as Vice-President of Sales. Bines was head of sales when Shooting Times reviewed the Vulcan 440 in May 1965.