CMP Saginaw Gear S’G’ Prime M1 Carbine .30 Cal 18″ Semi-Auto Rifle 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,577.52

LSB#: LSB251209RR004

Make: Saginaw S’G’ prime. -Grand Rapids, Michigan

Model: M1 Carbine.

Serial Number: 1824656

Year of Manufacture: March of 1943-September 1943

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, fed by Detachable Magazines.

Markings: 

The top of the barrel is marked with a Winchester WP proof about 1 ½ inches from the front sight. 

The barrel band is marked “W” for Winchester.

The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” and “SAGINAW S’ G’ / 1824656”. The left side is marked with a “J”. There is a firing proof punch present.   

The mag release is marked “M”.  

The outside bevel style front sight is unmarked. – correct for Saginaw.

The Type III Stamped rear sight is marked  “I.R.CO.” for Inland

The Type III Straight hammer is marked “AM B” for International Business Machines.

The square rear lug, ribbed wall, lubrication hole, M2 Trigger group is marked “Inland” upside down. 

The Type IV rotating safety is marked “E.I.” for Inland.

The Sear is marked “LN” for National Postal Meter

The recoil plate is marked “SG”.

The Type VI M2 slide with cam cut is marked “7161843 / 96567” on the bottom – Dennison Machine Tool post war.

The upper handguard is marked with a faint “IO” 

The right side of the stock is marked “SG”. The front of the grip is marked with “P”. The sling well is marked “RSG”. The left side of the stock is marked “AAQ”.  – Saginaw and Augusta Arsenal. 

The Buttplate is marked “S-S3″.

Barrel Length: Approximately 18″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade with protective ears. The rear sight is the later sliding aperture rear sight with a knurled knob.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an oval cut, low wood, with two rivet handguard, type III band, rotating safety and metal checkered buttplate. The LOP measures 13.25 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are scattered lines, scratches and compressions. There are small losses on the front of the stock around the barrel groove and behind the trigger guard. The wood has no cracks. The metal buttplate has semi-dulled checkering with finish loss and brown patina. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized, blued. 

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Refurbishment.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10. 

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is generally strong with minor operational wear post refinish. There are scattered light scratches and drag lines. The screw heads are sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots, the markings are generally clear. The receiver and barrel markings are a bit shallow.   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: This rifle comes with a CMP certificate of authenticity, CMP yellow chamber flag, a shipping check list dated to 2009, a CMP rifle safety manual, and a Ordnance Field Service M1 Carbine manual. 

Our Assessment: The U.S. M1 Carbine was developed during World War II to provide American troops with a lightweight, fast handling shoulder arm that offered greater firepower than a sidearm while remaining more compact than the standard service rifle. Produced by numerous American manufacturers during the war, the carbine became one of the most widely issued U.S. service firearms of the conflict. Chambered in .30 Carbine, the rifle was widely carried by officers, paratroopers, support troops, and vehicle crews throughout the war and continued to see service in later conflicts including Korea. Saginaw Steering Gear, a division of General Motors, produced M1 Carbines at both its Saginaw, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan plants, the latter using the S’G’ “prime” marking seen on this rifle. Production of these S’G’ prime marked carbines began in Grand Rapids, MI when they took over the failed contract of Irwin-Pedersen. Manufacture took place for only a relatively short period in 1943, making them a distinctive part of the broader M1 Carbine production story.

This example is a Saginaw S’G’ prime marked M1 Carbine manufactured in 1943 and retains the classic configuration associated with arsenal rebuilt carbines. The rifle shows a mixture of wartime and later replacement components typical of U.S. arsenal refurbishment programs, including Inland marked parts, a Winchester marked barrel band, and a post war Dennison Machine Tool slide. The stock bears Saginaw markings along with Augusta Arsenal inspection stamps, reflecting its passage through a U.S. military overhaul facility. The rifle retains about 85 percent of its metal finish with light operational wear and scattered handling marks, while the bore remains bright with well defined rifling. Accompanied by CMP documentation including a certificate of authenticity and manuals, this carbine represents a documented example of a U.S. military service rifle produced during the height of World War II production. lease see our photos and best of luck with your bidding! -L.S./MA