Description
Item Description
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Saginaw (Division of General Motors)
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial: 3404436
Date of Manufacture: May 1943
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Finish: Parkerized
Barrel Length: 18"
Optics/Sights: Shielded Post / Aperture Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Semi Auto
Markings: Saginaw Markings, U.S. Government Markings, "SS" Cartouche, Crossed Cannons,
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Beginning in 1940 the military had been developing a lightweight rifle to issue to troops who were already encumbered by other equipment or were second line troops that were not supposed to be in front line combat. At that time the current small arms issued were either too heavy and bulky or, in the case of the M1911 pistol, limited in range. This led to the pursuit of a carbine using a new .30 caliber round that was lighter than the M1 Garand’s .30-06 round and had more range than the .45 ACP that were in current use. After the completion of development by Winchester and adoption of the M1 Carbine in September 1941, the government began to contract production runs of the carbine to various private firms. A short time after its introduction Chief of Ordnance, Major General L. H. Campbell Jr., wrote “Reports coming in from all jungle theaters indicate that the carbine is going to be a most useful weapon due to its light weight, small overall length, and the light weight ammunition. All the above indicates that we must assert the greatest of pressure to get carbines and ammunitions in the minimum of time.” This is what preceded Saginaw’s contract.
After it’s success with producing the M1919A4 machine gun that began in 1940, Plant #2 obtained a contract for 365,500 M1 Carbines on February 13, 1943. While the plant continued to produce machine guns, the facility took on a series of contracts for M1 Carbines. The Saginaw #2 Plant would produce 293,592 carbines between 1943 and 1944 when the contracts were cancelled.
While the Saginaw plant was going forward with its contract, the Ordnance Department requested that Saginaw simultaneously take over the floundering Irwin-Pedersen plant in Grand Rapids MI. The plant had been established in 1942 for the expressed purpose of building M1 Carbines by Robert W. Irwin, a furniture manufacturer, and John D. Pedersen a commercial firearms designer. Though on the surface this seemed to be a good balanced partnership that would produce carbines, in a year they had produced less than 3,000 units and none of them had passed inspection with the Ordnance Department. These guns had many parts out of specification and outright catastrophic failure of their receivers. After some deliberation the Irwin’s cancelled their contract and Saginaw took over the factory on April 1st, 1943. With some men from the Saginaw plant then led most of the original work force in completely re-configuring the Grand Rapids Plant. After the plant was taken over the facility had produced 8,000 more carbines than the contract called for and were delivered to the Government in 33 days. Under the leadership Saginaw Division the Grand Rapids plant produced 223,620 carbines in 1943. With the termination of carbine production the Grand Rapids plant was transitioned to the G.M.C. diesel program after January 1st, 1944.
The M1 carbine (formally the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine that was a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The M1 carbine was produced in several variants and was widely used by paramilitary and police forces around the world, and also became a popular civilian firearm after World War II.
The M2 carbine is the selective-fire version of the M1 carbine, capable of firing in both semi-automatic and full-automatic. The M3 carbine was an M2 carbine with an active infrared scope system.
Despite having a similar name and physical outward appearance, the M1 carbine is not a carbine version of the M1 Garand rifle. On July 1, 1925, the U.S. Army began using the current naming convention where the "M" is the designation for "Model" and the number represents the sequential development of equipment and weapons. Therefore, the "M1 carbine" was the first carbine developed under this system. The "M2 carbine" was the second carbine developed under the system, etc.
Condition and Contents:
As you can see in the many high resolution photos, this M1 Carbine is in Phenomenal over all condition showing no evidence of regular use or handling over the years that we can see!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $65.00
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
We have an amazing inventory of classic and collector firearms that we are adding to Gunbroker daily. Stay up to date on all of our latest auction by adding us to your favorite sellers list.
About Us
