Saginaw 3,505,XXX

[Bruce McAskill]

If the markings on the receiver in front of the sight are the same as the serial number then its a good bet it had an adjustable rear sight at some point.

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[SRiverrat11]

I'm not sure I understand. In front of the rear sight? I didnt think they looked like numbers, but I don't know anything about staking.

[painter777]

In front of the rear sight? I didnt think they looked like numbers,

Hello Riverrat,
Nice to see you back around, also seen your a new member on the CCCF.

What Bruce is wondering is if the serial number had been stamped in front of the rear sight. This was done (at times) when a Adj rear sight was installed and made reading the serial number hard to see. Adj sights were usually heavily staked with punch marks that looked like craters on the moon. When zoomed in I don't see these stake marks on this one. The current rear sight looks real enough, maybe better pictures would show markings on the sides or on a leaf. Some of the books say some Flip sights weren't marked, but that would be rare. I see the ridge on the front sight and closer pics may show it's marking.

Some concerns like the barrel band Floyd pointed out is from a commercial carbine. No USGI band used a Phillips head screw. One view of the barrel makes it appear like it has some shadow/wear from having a late style bayonet band on it, but that could be the picture. But for sure that front sight has been removed, even if just to remove the bayo band or install the current barrel band.

The markings or remnants of being seen on the front bevel between the front of the rear sight and rear of the bolt may be what's left of the marking K.art which stands for the Coastal Artillery in Norway. I've seen this marking electro penciled/engraved and/or stamped. Normally when seen it has another marking done the same way that I believe stands for the unit, section or something similar. I've seen the K.ART on the recoil plate and the other marking on the rear bevel behind the rear sight or vice versa. I've also seen the markings on the front bevel and rear bevel. Without better pictures I can't be sure on yours. I see some light grind marks on your recoil plate, but is possible the rear bevel on that receiver has been ground on to remove one of the markings, then refinished.

I have a few pictures and a link that you can look at and see if you can recognize the markings on the front.
BTW, most all K.ART's I've seen are import marked. Many came thru CAI.

1st one I seen at a gun show the seller told me the KART stood for Korean Army Reserve Training. This KART stamp was on the rear of the receiver. The other markings had been grinded off the recoil plate. When I asked why they'd remove or grind there he said: " Any US Carbine brought back from Korea had to be grinded there"
I asked why they would grind it?
He replied:
"So we know it came back from Korea"
I knew what it was but must admit it was entertaining listening to his skit

Just to be clear because I'm tired, I have seen the K. ART stamped on the receiver just at the rear of your bolt. I suck at trying to crop pictures, below I was trying to draw attention to the rear bevel on the receiver... Where I believe the other marking was, but has been ground away and finish doctored.

Link to a couple other Karts:
New guy with an OLD Friend - The Carbine Collector's Club
KART K98: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=41953

HTH,

[SRiverrat11]

Hi Charlie! I don't have the rifle.....yet, but it was represented as all Saginaw, the place sells alot of quality firearms and has an excellent rating. I was on the road and could only view the pics with my cell phone(I know, big mistake). I bid and won. Now, I got home and could look much closer and am seeing alot of problems. Ive mailed the money orders, but the guy has a 3 day return policy. Its going to cost me, but better than losing the whole thing. I posted this in the hopes you all would say its a fine carbine with a few problems, but worth a shot. Its on consignment at the guys shop, so I doubt he knows that much about the rifle. There have just been so few decent carbines out there, so I "hoped" a little too much. Im not even sure my conscience will let me back out. I'm the one who bid. I thought the barrel band screw was just a replacement with the same threads, easy enough to fix. There is a pic of the bottom of the barrel and I saw no sign of import marks. I'm off to Utah tomorrow, so it'll be friday before I can deal with this again. As always, I respect your opinion, and Thank you. Scott

[SRiverrat11]

I went to the gunshop to see it firsthand. You guys are spot on! K.art on the bevel below the front of the bolt. rear bevel below the serial number ground down(but somebody did a good job grinding it) I called the guy and told him the problems. He said it was on consignment and he knew little of carbines. I think the barrel must have been replaced, there is no import stamp underneath or anywhere else. No shaded area where the bayonet lug would have been. He told me he would accept a return, and not charge me the 15% restocking fee. So, he is an honest guy.