WWII Saginaw Gear S.G. CMP M1 Carbine 18” .30 CAL IBM Barrel Rifle C&R 1943
SOLD FOR: $1,525.00
LSB#: WY250328JS004
Make: Saginaw SG. Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors– Saginaw, Michigan.
Model: M1 Carbine.
Serial Number: 3483354
Year of Manufacture: Late 1943 Receiver, barrel date 11-43.
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi Auto, fed by Detachable Magazines.
Markings:
The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” and “SAGINAW SG / 3483354”. The left side of the receiver below the wood line is marked “SG”.
The front of the barrel is marked “I.B.M. CORP. / 11-43” with a flaming Bomb. There is a “P” 5” back from the front sight.
The barrel band is marked “IS” for Inland Division.
The bayonet lug is unmarked
The slide is marked with “PI” for Packard Inland
The front sight is unmarked
The rear sight is marked “I.R.CO.”-for International Register CO.
The trigger group is marked “INLAND” for Inland Division.
The magazine catch is marked “M” and “E.I.” an Inland Division part.
The rotary safety is marked “SS”
The hammer is marked “LT-Q” for Ludlow Typograph
The sear is marked “SW-N”- National Postal Meter
The upper handguard is marked “RSG” Saginaw Gear
The recoil lug is unmarked
The stock is marked with a very faint “Q-RMC” for Rock-Ola music Co. made for QHMC. The pommel is stamped “115” and there is a “P” acceptance stamp on the grip.
The magazine is marked “AI” for Autoyre Inland
Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the later style sliding aperture sight with a knurled windage knob dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock on this rifle is an oval cut, low wood stock with a two rivet handguard, a type three barrel band with bayonet lug, and a later style rotary safety. The LOP is 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The stock appears to have been sanded and refinished. The wood shows scattered lines and compressions with rub wear spots. There is some rub wear from where a sling was installed. There are several chips from the edges of the handguard that have been finished over. There are no visible cracks. The metal buttplate has lost the finish around the edges and turned brown with age. The checkering is still defined. Overall the wood is in about Good+ condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Some of the parts have been refinished and some of the parts are original.
Bore Condition: The bore is very bright and the rifling is defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. There are minimal lines from use. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The friction surfaces on the receiver and flat bolt show minimal rub wear. The bolt has turned brown with age. The balance of the finish shows some scattered very light handling wear. Most of the finish on the charging handle has worn off. The exterior of the rifle shows some scattered caked old oil that should be removable with a proper cleaning. The screw heads are sharp and the markings mostly clear. Overall this rifle is in 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: This rifle includes a 15 round magazine showing finish thinning and surface oxidation. The spring is good and the feed lips are undamaged. Overall the magazine is in Good condition. This rifle also includes a CMP certificate of authenticity and manual.
Our Assessment: This M1 Carbine, produced in 1943 by Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors, is a desirable and historically rich example of WWII-era U.S. military arms. The “SG” mark on the receiver’s side confirms it was made at the Saginaw Gear Grand Rapids plant, which originally belonged to Irwin-Pedersen. When Irwin-Pedersen failed to meet quality and production standards, GM’s Saginaw Division took over the facility. Saginaw actually produced carbines from two locations, Saginaw, Michigan and Grand Rapids each with distinct markings, making SG-marked examples notable among collectors. These carbines were well-built, and their production helped salvage a struggling portion of the carbine program during the war.
The IBM-manufactured barrel and Q-RMC (Quality Hardware–Rock-Ola) marked stock reflect the collaborative nature of M1 Carbine production. IBM was one of ten prime contractors and also provided parts to others, so its barrel on a Saginaw receiver is not unusual for the time. The Q-RMC stock, likely a replacement or part of a wartime rebuild, demonstrates how carbine parts were regularly interchanged to maintain combat readiness. Together, these features illustrate the logistical complexity and industrial scale of the M1 Carbine program, a wartime effort that saw carbine components flowing between factories nationwide to meet urgent demand. To get a better understanding of this M1 please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
