Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)
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The Florida corporate records for Dynamic Merchandise 1970-1983 show Abe Seiderman first as Vice-President, than as President. In February 1983 Abe Seiderman paid the 1983 corporate taxes for Dynamic Merchandise. All other names present on this document were lined out, and consisted of the prior management. In March 1983 Dynamic Merchandise canceled the "Universal Firearms" trademark. Production of all of Universal's products ceased.
Keep in mind that what appears next in the Florida records happens over two years later and over the course of about 2 months
In May 1985 Dynamic Merchandise paid a reinstatement fee to Florida, along with taxes for 1984 and 1985. The annual report for 1985 identified the President as Glenn Barber and Secretary as Mickey McSpadden, both of 2202 Redmond Rd in Jacksonville, AR. The Chairman of the Board was identified as Phillip L. Lloyd of Little Rock, AR.
In June 1985 Phillip Lynn Lloyd incorporated Dynamic Merchandise in Arkansas. In August 1985 Florida received Articles of Merger from Dynamic Merchandise of Florida indicating the company was merging with Iver Johnson Arms, Inc. of Arkansas and that Dynamic Merchandise had ceased to exist. In July 1985 Florida received Articles of Merger from Dynamic Merchandise of Little Rock, AR for "Universal Firearms, Inc." to be merged into Jacksonville Ordnance Company of Jacksonville, AR. Universal Firearms of Hialeah, Florida ceased to exist.
The address 2202 Redmond Rd, Jacksonville, AR was the manufacturing facility of Iver Johnson's Arms for their M1 carbines. Jacksonville Ordnance Company was incorporated in Arkansas in June 1985 by a corporate attorney, using his office as the business address. This company appears to have existed on paper only. Keep reading.
Universal Redux
When Universal started production again, their operation was located at the Iver Johnson's Arms facility at 2202 Redmond Rd. in Jacksonville, AR. The carbines they produced
remained separate from Iver Johnson's, and retained the Universal markings and model numbers used by Universal Firearms of Hialeah, FL. However, the number of models offered
and the quantity produced was nowhere near what it had been in Hialeah, FL.
The information received by Ruth indicated it took the new owner and his management two years to recalibrate the machinery and start production again. The source also indicated none of the Universal employees stayed on with the company. The source did not indicate where the company was when it started production again. It appears the reason it took two years to start production again is the equipment was relocated to Jacksonville, AR from Hialeah, FL, and, none of the employees from Florida wanted to move to Arkansas with the company. Ruth indicates the new owners inability to retain any of the Universal employees was a significant factor in the new owner's inability to produce what once was.
| Model | Barrel Band | Stock | Finish | Drill/Tap | Scope | Misc. |
| 1003 | GI type | American hardwood, metal handguard | satin blue, metal handguard | yes | no | GI model w/ no bayonet lug on band |
| 1006 | GI type | Birch, walnut opt., metal handguard | Stainless Steel | yes | no | |
| 1256 | round | American hardwood | high gloss bright blue | yes | yes | 1003 in caliber .256, no sights, tapered bbl |
| Enforcer 3000 | round | American Walnut, metal handguard | high gloss bright blue | no | no | blade front sight, L type fixed rear sight |
| 5000 PT | GI type | folding MP40 type, metal handguard | satin blue | no | no | paratrooper model |
| 5006 | GI type | folding MP40 type, metal handguard | stainless steel | no | no | 5000 PT in stainless steel |
| 5016 | GI type | folding MP40 type, metal handguard | satin blue | no | no | 5000 PT with 16" barrel |
| Model Numbers do not appear on the carbines | ||||||
If there is a way to distinguish these carbines from those manufactured before the takeover it has not been shared by those who know. Serial number 444,2xx was in the box and included the paperwork indicating Univeral Firearms/Dynamic Merchandise at their address in Hialeah. Serial number 455,2xx had the black Teflon-S finish, which does not appear to have been continued after the change of ownership.
One feature that may indicate the difference is the lever/pin that held the bolt open. The lever/pin with the ball on top lasted until at least serial number 464,7xx. By serial number 471,0xx this was changed to a straight lever/pin, without the ball on top.
The highest serial number I have seen is 484,6xx. Second hand information, from another researcher, indicated the highest he had seen was in the 488,000 series.
Bankruptcy
In November 1986, less than two years after the corporate record changes show Universal had moved to Jacksonville, AR, Phillip Lynn Lloyd filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy,
in Federal Bankruptcy Court in Little Rock. Phillip Lynn Lloyd had financed and/or owned a number of different companies, all of which went into Chapter 7 about the time he did.
Iver Johnson's Arms Inc. filed Chapter 11 in Little Rock in October 1986. Lloyd was one of several who owned the company. Iver Johnson's Arms Inc. survived, clearing Chapter 11 in May 1989. Universal was no longer part of their business. Further regarding Iver Johnson's history is documented on the web page devoted to the Iver Johnson's carbines.
Ruth's source indicated new machinery had been acquired by Universal after the company's purchase by Lloyd. This was not paid for in full and repossessed. The disposition of the machinery that had been in use before this new equipment, is not known. Because of the design of the Universal carbines the majority of their parts were not capable of being used on the Iver Johnson's carbines, or any other carbines. At some point in the 1990's many of Universal's spare gun parts showed up at Numrich Gun Parts in West Hurley, New York. Numrich purchases wholesale lots, often from companies that are going out of business. The Universal parts at Numrich can be viewed here: Numrich Gun Parts.
No further record of Universal Firearms has been found. Jacksonville Ordnance Company is not identified in any of the bankruptcy proceedings and, as of 2008, Arkansas corporate records indicate the company is still active. However, it does not appear to have ever existed.
In 2001 Phillip Lynn Lloyd was indicted and found guilty of failure to reveal all of his assets, along with perjury in his testimony to the Bankruptcy Court. Lloyd appealed his conviction and sentencing. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his conviction but returned the case to the lower court for resentencing.
Ruth's source indicates Universal Firearms ceased to exist in 1987.
Known Issues with Universal's Carbines
Cracked or broken slides cannot be repaired, they must be replaced. The only reliable source for Universal replacement slides is Numrich Gun Parts. Before you buy, make sure the slide you buy is the same type as the slide you are replacing. The Universal slides came in at least four different variations used at different times that are not interchangeable with one another.
Universal slide with screw hole and removable key
 Universal slide for round barrels |  Universal slide for square barrels |
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Part IV: Details on Specific Models
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