First USGI M1 Cabine Purchase; Saginaw

Hello folks,
I just joined this forum after lurking for a bit. I am hoping to get some assistance with some markings and general overall opinions on this rifle. My first USGI M1 I got last week from an online company. I am sure you guys get dozens of folks asking about their rifles so I thought I would toss this new purchase in. I would like to see if anyone can assist with the stock rack numbers specifically. I am guessing from use in foreign countries? From the serial I think May 43-May 44 production. Here are a few photos but the best I can figure a good number of the parts appear correct for the period. The barrel is in surprisingly good shape with no debris and prominent lands and grooves. Some of the markings I have found, some not. The stock has several markings which I suppose are rack numbers. The white number on the stock is the serial number and is nicely engraved and filled in. The other yellow, white (right side) and sticker numbers I don't know. Inland trigger group, "TT" or "TF" marked hammer, I.R. Co (International Register Company?) adj rear sight, "SA" Marked stock (handguard has no markings that I could see), barrel is a UNDERWOOD bomb barrel marked 5/44 (I think it's a 5, could be a 8 or something; hard to tell) but the 44 is easy to see, barrel band with bayo lug is marked "AI" for Inland, front sight is N for Inland, the bolt is marked "W" I guess for Winchester, the slide not sure (photo shows "F" but I neglected to look in the slide well for markings). I think the safety is post war according to one site I was looking at but not sure. The stock has a good sized crack that runs from the mag well forward about 6" on each side. The left side of the stock looks like it took a hit and cracked the stock. An easy fix I think. Thanks in advance for any info.

Check the headspace. A lot of stocks crack from these guys firing "out of battery". What is the receiver marked under the rear sights? I'm guessing it's Saginaw from your title, but you didn't say and you don't have a pic of that area. Otherwise a good looking example of a carbine. I personally like the flip safety a lot. I have a push on one carbine and I always drop the magazine. Quickly realize why they changed that design feature.

The stock looks like it took a bit of a hit on the left side, not a deep ding in the wood but just above where the crack is. The receiver is marked SAGINAW SG under the rear sight. I don't see the periods after the SG (S.G.) so from my readings I guess it was made at the Saginaw, MI plant before Saginaw got the IP production run contract and started up the Grand Rapids (S'G') plant. Any ideas on the stock rack numbers/markings? I am curious to find what what countries this was used in. Some folks have told me the US did not engrave serial numbers into the stocks so I am guessing all of the rack numbers maybe from another country. Thanks for your reply.

Those stocks were thickened to keep them from cracking in that very spot because of the removal of the inside support. That was to have the full auto parts...some cracked anyway. It really doesn't say anything bad about this one, it's well used. You can repair that without too much problem too.

Welcome to the forum.

It appears to be rebuilt with late features. I'm a bit opposite of Mike. I like the look of the push safety. I can see where you could drop the mag, though I have never done it. The stock is repairable. There are a couple guys here that can to amazing things with the wood. A few more pictures of parts and markings would help. I couldn't see a cartouche under the rack number on the right side.

I cannot find any cartouche on the stock. I guess it's possible it's under the white sticker. There is an obvious "A" on the left side of the stock at the grip. Just below the grip is a "P." There is also a "P" on the barrel. Add a few more images to help. Sorry if I added any dupes. Thanks again for everyone's help.

I have an IBM with the serial and other numbers stamped on the stock very much the same as your SG. I believe your carbine was returned from use in Israel. Mine still had the remnants of a rope type sling the Israelies use hanging from the front band swivel. Those are sure nice clear photos! - Bob

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Originally Posted by JimF4M1s

Welcome to the forum.

It appears to be rebuilt with late features. I'm a bit opposite of Mike. I like the look of the push safety. I can see where you could drop the mag, though I have never done it. The stock is repairable. There are a couple guys here that can to amazing things with the wood. A few more pictures of parts and markings would help. I couldn't see a cartouche under the rack number on the right side.

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I do like the look of the push safety as well, just for myself for some reason I always push the magazine release. I do it with the flip as well, but I can feel the difference and then I realize what I'm doing before I do it. Maybe I have long fingers?

I only mentioned be out of battery firing because it happened to me once and I cracked a perfectly fine stock on an Inland. I didn't check it before hand and it was the first time I fired it.

I see the SG marks in your new photos. Very fine Carbine.

You are very used to the front push safety. Dropping the mag has always been a more deliberate move probably from the Army training and shoving empty mags into your shirt. These magazines are not the kind to just drop and leave.

kazan182, I'm with Bob on the stock being a return from Israel. I have one also with those tiny number stamps. I fix broken stocks like that if you need help. If the stock and rifle both came back from Israel you will find the importers stamp or engraving some ware on the barrel. My Stan Pro return took a couple of days to clean but when finished it turned out to be a great shooting carbine.

Regards.....Frank

Thanks for everyone's help. But a quick question that I cannot find an answer for online. The receiver is clearly marked SG and SAGINAW but the upper receiver is marked above the chamber is marked:

U.S. CARBINE
CAL. 30 ML

Why does it have ML and not M1? I am clearly missing something here.

@Frank, thanks for the info and offer for help on the stock. I am going to try to get my Brother who repairs furniture to take a look for me.

Maybe you can take another look at that. I'm guessing M1 not ML
Sometimes the serif can make it look that way.



https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...feb66a90-1.jpg

Certainly looks like ML and not M1 to me. How can this be on a SG marked receiver?

kazan182, took a look at my IP and I think your SG is supposed to be stamped CAL. .30 M1. (The 1 is without the serifs) Looks like your periods overlap the 30 and the 1. I don't think it's stamped ML. HTH. Good luck on the stock.
Regards.....Frank

Just a stamping error or proof mark in an odd location. All carbines are stamped with the model and caliber designation on the front receiver ring regardless of manufacturer. I would agree that the stamping of the serial number on the buttstock is consistent with the ones I have seen on the carbines returned from Israel.

It looks like a period stamp after the 1. Odd, haven't seen that one before.