Fascinating Underwood M1 Carbine, barrel dated 4-43, gifted from General George S. Patton to Major General John P. Lucas, passed down through family, with presentation plaque and well-documented, notarized provenance from family Lieutenant Colonel John K. Boles III. HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINE.

Description:

Standard configuration Underwood M1 Carbine produced 1942-1945 with 18-inch barrel in .30 caliber marked "UNDERWOOD / 4-43 / flaming bomb / P", SN: 1403042, with fixed "U"-marked front sight bracketed by protective ears and two-position aperture flip rear sight, fire blued leaf spring, left side of base marked with "S". Chamber marked with two-line address "U.S. CARBINE / CAL .30 M1". Rear of receiver, behind the sight, marked "UNDERWOOD / 1403042". Absent bayonet lug and flat blued bolt. Flat button magazine release and hammer with "U". Flaming bomb on cocking handle, rear of receiver and under trigger guard. Smooth walnut high wood oval recess stock, recess marked with crisp "P-U", an encircled "P" under grip, the bottom 5.5" covered by sewn-on leather sleeve, interior handguard marked with "Pedersen (script) U" subcontractor. Rectangular brass presentation plate inletted into right side of stock hand engraved "FROM 7th ARMY TO: GENERAL JOHN LUCAS CABIN BOY TO MOJOR GENERAL SICILY". Fifteen round magazine, spine marked with an encircled "II", removable floorplate. Unmarked khaki military sling. Complete with notarized letter from Lieutenant Colonel John K. Boles III citing "My maternal grandfather, Major General John P. Lucas, was assigned the same sea captain as Lieutenant General George S. Patton by troop ship en route to Italy in 1943. My grandfather was to take command of the Fourth Corps. Patton was en route to command the Seventh Army. Patton and my grandfather talked late into the last night prior to disembarkation. Patton left early in the morning, and my grandfather got up later. He noticed a brand new M1 carbine with a note that said "John". On the stock was a brass inlay, as previously detailed. I received this rifle from my uncle, Colonel John P. Lucas, Jr., the son of Major General John P. Lucas." "This is true to the best of my knowledge, as told to me by my father, Major General John K. Bowles, Jr." Signed, John K. Boles III, notarized, and dated...a wonderful document to support the carbine's history, dedication with misspelling as likely occurred from a last minute, late-night request assigned to whichever seaman was on duty, with General John P. Lucas and connection to General Patton during World War II. A fascinating M1 Carbine from one of the scarcer manufacturers, gifted from one General to another, with supporting, notarized provenance! HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINE.

Condition:

Crisp 97-98% original Parkerizing with barrel markings that break through the finish along with the flaming bomb inspections on cocking handle, rear of the receiver, and under the trigger guard. Minimal operational wear on the blued bolt body. Near EXC handguard and stock as lightly refinished a long time ago with subsequent light scuffs and sling related abrasions. Tarnished plaque. Magazine with moderate wear, floorplate having been improperly removed. Mirror bore. Correct manual mechanics. EXC notarized letter with original signatures.