WWII Saginaw Gear M1 Carbine S’G’ Irwin-Pedersen SG .30 Semi Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $2652
LSB#: 230923WM041
Make: Saginaw S’G’. Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors– Grand Rapids. This M1 Carbine was built using many of the remaining parts at the failed Irwin-Pedersen factory in Grand Rapids.
Model: M1 Carbine.
Serial Number: 1796668
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
There is No 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 S’ G’ / 1796668”. The left side of the receiver (under the wood) is marked “B” and has a tooling hole at the rear. Only Irwin-Pedersen and Saginaw S’G’ receivers were produced with a tooling hole. The top of the barrel is marked “BUFFALO ARMS / 6 – 43” and “P”. Buffalo Arms supplied barrels to the Saginaw S’G’ factory. The left rear of the trigger group is marked “IP” and has a tooling hole at the rear. Irwin-Pedersen and some Saginaw S’G’ trigger groups were produced with a tooling hole. The hammer is marked “S’G’ ”. The magazine release is marked “B-IP”. The safety is marked “IP-A”. The operating slide is unmarked. The bolt is marked “S’G’ ”. The face of the front sight is marked “.U.”. The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left and “B-IP” on both the right side and the face of the front aperture. The Type IA barrel band is marked “KV S’G’ ”. The underside of the handguard is marked “IR-IP” (faded). The stock body and sling well are unmarked.
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 flip up dual 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 buttplate shows oxidation, wear, and some paint residue. The stock shows several scrapes and scratches as well as sanding marks. The wood has been oiled. 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 overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The muzzle is light gray and the grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep; shallow at the muzzle. There is fouling in the bore that should clean up some. There is erosion at the muzzle and light erosion in the grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 2.8.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 93% of its metal finish. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, thinning on the leading edges, and light discoloration from both oil residue & oxidation. The barrel shows thinning under the barrel band. The top of the barrel shows light surface erosion. The left side of the receiver shows some thinning at the wood line. The action shows operational wear. The markings range from deep to faded but most of the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
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.
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 Saginaw S’G’ M1 Carbine was built sometime between 1942 and 1944. It was built using many of the remaining parts at the failed Irwin-Pedersen factory in Grand Rapids. This M1 Carbine uses lots of Irwin-Pedersen and Saginaw S’G’ marked parts making it quite collectible. This Saginaw S’G’ M1 Carbine uses a receiver and trigger group which were each made with tooling holes. Tooling holes are only found on Irwin-Pedersen and Saginaw S’G’ receivers & trigger groups.
…Now go shoot something!
