Saginaw Gear S’G’ M1 Carbine .30 Cal Semi Auto Rifle MFD 1942-1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1354
LSB#:220526JR009
Make: Saginaw S’G’. Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors. Grand Rapids, Michigan facility. Saginaw S’G’ M1 Carbines were produced from the remnants of the failed Irwin-Pedersen production facilities in Grand Rapids.
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 3234018
Year of Manufacture: 1942 to 1944. No specific manufacture dates are listed due to a number of reasons explained on pages 24 to 26 of Scott Duff’s book, The M1 Carbine Owner’s Guide. Barrel Date: June, 1943
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine
Markings: The import mark on the barrel reads “BLUE SKY/AR”. The top front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1.” and the top rear is marked “SAGINAW S’G’ / 3234018”. The right rear of the receiver is marked with a small “flaming bomb”. The left side of the receiver (under the wood) is marked with a “B” inspection stamp. The left rear of the receiver was made with an integral a tool locator hole. These are only found on receives from Irwin-Pedersen and Saginaw S’G’ (page 22 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The top of the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD / 6-43 / flaming bomb” and “P”. Underwood supplied barrels for Saginaw S’G’ (page 50). The trigger group is marked “INLAND” on the right rear which is an Inland mark (page 78). The hammer is marked “HI” which is an Inland mark (page 89). The Type IV magazine release is marked “M”, as are all Type IV releases (page 98). The rotary safety marked “N.” which is a post WWII rebuild mark (pages 95 & 185). The inside of the operating slide is marked “PI” which is an Inland mark (page 65). The left bolt lug is marked with a faded “AI” stamp which was used by Inland and National Postal Meter (page 36). The front sight is marked “R” which was used by Inland & Rock Ola (page 56). The Type II rear sight is marked “H in a shield” which was used by 4 other manufacturers (page 29). The Type III barrel band is marked “KI” which is an Inland mark (pages 59). The inside of the handguard is marked “RMC” which was used by 4 other manufacturers (page 138). The left side of the stock is marked with a small “RIA / EB in a box”. This is an Arsenal Rebuild stamp for the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois (page 181). The base of the grip is marked with a faded “circled P” proof. The face of the grip is marked with a “circled P” proof. The right side of the buttstock is marked with a “crossed cannons” cartouche. The belly of the stock is marked “73”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between 2 protective wings. The rear sight is a Type II adjustable aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, barrel band with sling loop & bayonet lug, sling well, sling pass through and a metal buttplate. The refinished buttplate has scratches & dings showing through the finish. It also shows scrapes. The bottom of the stock shows a long repaired crack that ends at the magazine well. Nail heads are visible on the sides of the repair. The wood shows scrapes & scratches. A few have damaged small portions of the surface wood. Most of these marks have been finished over. The LOP measures 13 ¼ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright. The grooves near the muzzle are light grey. The rifling is crisp. There is frosting in the grooves near the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.9.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish as refinished. The barrel, under the barrel band, has a patch of surface erosion showing through the finish. The trigger guard has scratches & oxidation showing though the finish. The front of the barrel shows scrapes & a spot of discoloration. The remaining metal shows small scrapes & handling marks. The screw heads show light use. The markings are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition, as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: There is no magazine. The rifle comes with a green canvas sling. It shows soiling on the canvas and oxidation on the metal tabs. It is in about Very Good overall condition.
Our Assessment: This WWII Saginaw S’G’ M1 Carbine was made by the Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors in Grand Rapids, Michigan. At some point the rifle was Arsenal Rebuilt at the Rock Island Arsenal using a mix of USGI parts. After WWII the rifle served for a U.S. friendly country. The rifle was eventually imported back to the US for sales to the civilian market. It is a nice looking M1 with a refurbished stock, refinished metal, and a good bore.
This is a Rare M1 Carbine for your collection. The combined M1 Carbine production of Irwin-Pedersen and Saginaw S’G’ is only 223,620 units. This is the lowest production number of all the M1 Carbine manufacturers (page 211 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition).
Let us try to clear up some confusion. Saginaw Gear and Saginaw S’G’ are the same company located in different factories. Saginaw Carbines made in Saginaw, Michigan are marked “S.G.” or “SG”. Saginaw Carbines made in Grand Rapids, Michigan are marked “S’G’ ”. Saginaw S’G’ guns were produced from the remnants of the failed Irwin-Pedersen production facilities in Grand Rapids. Saginaw took over production in Grand Rapids and marked the facilities M1 Carbines S’G’ to differentiate them from the ones produced at the original Saginaw plant.