WWII Saginaw Gear M1 Carbine S’G’ Irwin-Pedersen SG .30 Semi Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,940
LSB#: 230923WM042
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: 1859869
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: September 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’ / 1859869”. The left side of the receiver (under the wood) is marked “S” 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 “UNDERWOOD / 9 – 43 / flaming bomb” and “P”. Underwood supplied barrels to the Saginaw S’G’ factory for assembly. The left rear of the trigger group is marked “S’G’ ” 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 with a partial stamping. The magazine release is marked “W-I”. The safety is unmarked. The inside of the operating slide is marked “S’G’ ”. The bolt is marked “S’G’ ”. The front sight is marked “N”. The Type I rear sight is marked “S” on the left. The Type IA barrel band is unmarked. The underside of the handguard is marked “RSG”. The sling well is marked “RSG”. The bottom of the grip is marked with a “circled P”. The right side of the stock is marked with a boxed & faded “S’G’ ” and a faded “crossed cannons” cartouche.
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 paint residue. The stock shows several scrapes and scratches. Many of the marks are small or light. 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 as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to Rebuild
Bore Condition: The grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is fouling in the bore that should clean up some. There is erosion in the grooves near the muzzle and light erosion in the remaining grooves. The bore shows an M.E. of 0.2.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7.5 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 95% of its metal finish. The metal shows small scrapes and light handling marks. The exposed portion of the barrel shows discoloration from both oxidation and oil residue. The left side of the receiver shows some light thinning below the wood line. The sides of the gas piston housing show light thinning. 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 Plus 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 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.
The rifle has been rebuilt but still uses mostly Saginaw S’G’ parts. The Underwood barrel appears to be original. Saginaw S’G’ did not produce barrels (Saginaw SG did). Underwood and other companies supplied barrels to the Saginaw S’G’ factory for M1 Carbine assembly.
…Now go shoot something!
