WWII Saginaw Gear S’G’ M1 Carbine .30cal Semi Auto Rifle U.S. MFD 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,180.00
LSB#: LSB260216DM044
Make: Saginaw S’G’. Saginaw Division
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 1826363
Year of Manufacture: Receiver between 7/1943-9/1943. The Underwood barrel date is 8-43.
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 S’G’ / 1826363”. The left side of the receiver is marked “J”.
The barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD / 8-43” with a flaming bomb. There is also a “P” about midlength.
The front sight is marked with what appears to be a “-U-” for Underwood.
The barrel band is marked “AMCO”
The slide is marked: “ROCK-OLA”
The rear sight is marked “H.I.” Hemphill MFG
The hammer is marked “HI” Hemphill MFG
The Trigger Housing is marked “BE-B” IBM
The safety is marked “H.T.”
The inside of the sling well is marked with a faint “HI” for Hillerich and Bradsby aka Louisville Slugger, the grip is also marked with two stamped “P” acceptance marks. The right flank is marked with a large ordnance wheel. The left flank is marked with “AAQ” for Augusta Arsenal.
The magazine is marked “A.I.” Autoyre Inland
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade set between protective ears. The rear sight is the later sliding aperture rear sight with a serrated windage knob.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is an oval cut, low wood, with four rivet handguard, type 3 band, rotary safety and metal checkered butt plate. The length of pull is 13.25″. The wood shows finish loss, scuffs, compressions, chips, and compressions throughout the wood. There are notable chips from the pommel and handguard. There is a crack coming from the rear of the recoil lug. The butt plate has lost its finish, shows surface rust, and rub wear around the edges. Overall the stock set is in Poor-Fair overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is light pitting/erosion throughout the bore. There is a notable mark at the 12 0’clock position about a 1/2 inch into the barrel. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The friction surfaces of the bolt and receiver show rub wear. The finish shows scattered marks and some thinning throughout the rifle with the most finish loss from the receiver and bolt. The markings are mostly clear and the screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle is in Fair+ 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: The rifle includes a 15 round magazine in Good condition.
Our Assessment: This Saginaw Gear M1 Carbine was manufactured circa August 1943 and is fitted with an Underwood barrel dated 8-1943. Produced during the height of World War II, Saginaw Gear, an automotive division of General Motors was one of the many American industrial firms tasked with M1 Carbine production. The use of an Underwood barrel is entirely consistent with wartime manufacturing practices, as components were frequently shared among contractors to maintain production quotas and speed delivery to the military.
This example is fitted with a Hillerich & Bradsby stock marked “AAQ.” Hillerich & Bradsby, best known as the maker of Louisville Slugger baseball bats, was one of several subcontractors that produced wooden stocks for the war effort. The additional “AAQ” marking suggests later inspection or rebuild at Augusta Arsenal, indicating the rifle may have gone through post-production military refurbishment. Overall, this carbine represents the uniquely American industrial story of the M1 program, where companies from sporting goods to automobile manufacturing all contributed to wartime arms production. Please see our high quality photos via the link and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.