WWII Saginaw Gear M1 Carbine Matching SG .30 Semi Auto Rifle US U.S. C&R

More All Sold Items

Sold for $2456.36

Make: Saginaw SG. Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors– Saginaw, Michigan.

Model: M1 Carbine. This rifle uses all Saginaw Gear factory parts. We do not know if the rifle was issued in this manner or later assembled to use all Saginaw Gear factory parts.

Serial Number: 3488508

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.
No Barrel Date

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: There is no import mark. The top front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” and the top rear is marked “SAGINAW SG / 3488508”. The left front of the receiver is marked “SG” under the wood. The top of the barrel is marked “SAGINAW S.G. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS” and “P”. The trigger group is marked “SG” on the right rear which is a Saginaw Gear mark (page 78 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production 7th Edition). The hammer is unmarked which is consistent with Saginaw Gear (page 89). The magazine release is marked “SG” which is a Saginaw Gear mark (page 100-101). The smooth push button safety is unmarked which is consistent with Saginaw Gear and others (page 95). The bottom the operating slide is marked “SG” which is a Saginaw Gear mark (page 65). The bolt is marked “SG” on the left lug which is a Saginaw Gear mark (page 36). The front sight is unmarked which is consistent with Saginaw Gear and others (page 56). The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left which is consistent with Saginaw Gear and others (page 29). The Type IA barrel band is unmarked which is consistent with Saginaw Gear and others (page 59). The underside of the handguard is marked “RSG” which was used by Saginaw Gear and Saginaw S’G’ (page 138). The sling well is “6 1 F” as well as “RSG” which was used by Saginaw Gear and Saginaw S’G’ (page 108-109). The right side of the butt is marked “SG in a box” and with a “crossed cannons” cartouche which are Saginaw Gear marks (page 125). The recoil plate is marked “SG” which is a Saginaw Gear mark (page 135). The rear of the magazine is marked “O SG” which is a Saginaw Gear mark (page 142 -143).

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 I dual flip up aperture.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, Type IA barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through, and metal buttplate. The edges of the refinished buttplate have scratches and surface erosion showing through the new finish. The top of the butt is missing some edge wood at the buttplate. The wood shows scrapes, scratches and small spots of surface loss. The most prominent marks are on the bottom & left of the forearm.   T The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The muzzle is gray due to refinishing. It was not covered properly when the rifle was refinished. The grooves are semi bright and rifling is deep. There is erosion at the muzzle. There is fouling in the grooves which should clean up a bit. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.7.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The metal shows scuffs and handling marks. The sights and trigger group show small scrapes and light discoloration from oxidation. The discoloration is more prominent on the front sight. The right side of the receiver and the bolt operational wear.  Most of the markings are deep. The stock markings are somewhat faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus 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: The rifle comes with a green canvas sling and a 15 round magazine. The magazine shows scrapes and a patch of surface erosion. It appears to function correctly.
The 15 round magazine is not available to residents of California or any other state with magazine capacity restrictions.

Our Assessment: The M1 Carbine was developed and produced after WWII started. Over 6 million were made by a number of U.S. companies to assist with the all out war effort. The M1 Carbine was widely issued to U.S. Military Forces which numbered over 16 million during WWII. The M1 Carbine contributed greatly to U.S. efforts during WWII.
Saginaw Gear M1 Carbines are sought after by collectors. There are 2 separate Saginaw Gear manufacturers of M1 Carbines. Both were Divisions of General Motors but were located in different cities. Saginaw Carbines made in the original Saginaw, Michigan factory are marked “S.G.” or “SG”. Saginaw Carbines made in the Grand Rapids, Michigan factory are marked “S’G’ ”. Saginaw S’G’ guns were produced from the remnants of the failed Irwin-Pedersen factory 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.

This “Matching” Saginaw Gear M1 Carbine was made at the original Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors in Saginaw, Michigan sometime between 1942 and 1943. It uses all Saginaw SG factory parts including a “SAGINAW S.G. DIV. / GENERAL MOTORS” marked barrel. The Saginaw Gear markings make the rifle quite desirable. This M1 Carbine will add to your WWII collection.

NOTE: This rifle uses all Saginaw Gear factory parts. We do not know if the rifle was issued in this manner or later assembled to use all Saginaw Gear factory parts.