[mectec]

Hello folks I am new to the forum and would like to say Hello and Merry Christmas & happy holidays.I would like to know the approx production date and what generation myUniversal M1 is the ser.# is 2083xx,if possible what do you think it is worth in excellent condition..Thank You ,Mectec

[M14man]

Likely the 3rd generation. Does it have 2 recoil springs? Universal was only in business about 10 years. It went belly up about 1980 or so I believe. Third generation guns are worth less. Maybe $300 or so.

[mectec]

This is one of the better produced guns with nice machine work and fine finish unlike the later ones I believe you are referring to .There is no comparison to the junk guns produced by universal and the nicer work that went into the production of this gun which I believe to be of earlier mfg or whenever they produced the nicer ones it also has a nice blended wood walnut stock.

[M14man]

With a serial number that high, I would think it is third generation. Second generation started a little after 100,000. If it looks good, and you are happy with it, that is all that counts. Much of the inner parts are not interchangable with GI parts, so parts are hard to get if something goes wrong.

[Mooseman684]

It should be a 3rd Gen w/2 springs and locking lever.
Rich

[sunray]

"...only in business about 10 years..." Far longer than that. They started out as Bullseye in 1950 and changed the name later. They were building carbines in the late 60's using milsurp parts. Iver Johnson bought them out in 1983.
There are no Universal production records remaining. Late model Universals(two return springs, a toggle for the bolt hold open and a poorly made, stamped op handle that tends to break) are junk.