New Carbine!

[Trapper]

First off, let me say this is a great forum. I've been browsing for a while and finally registered today. I'm falling in love with the M1s
I'm pretty excited as I just bought a Carbine from my best friend growing up. He bought this when we were at a gun show just about 30 years ago. It was fired once and then stored away. Not much interest in guns anymore, he decided to sell it to me.

It is a Saginaw SG, markings as follows:

Ser # 361****
Barrel is marked Exel Gardener Mass. ....?
Sight marked LR.CO.
The mag release appears to have a lg. M and a couple small marks on it.
I'm curious about the wood. It is in great shape but not so much that it looks aftermarket. It's the oil type finish I commonly see on these Carbines but I can't find any markings on it when installed on gun. Taking the stock off, there is S A stamped near the top of the for-arm as well as the upper forarm piece, it also has the S A marks. Taking the butt plate off, I did notice 3 holes, including the screw hole.
The bore is not pitted.
The gun appears to be in great shape and judging from what I see going on at CMP, I think I got a great deal.
Any comments appreciated!
I'm curious about the stock and barrel and what the manufacture date may have been with that serial number.
Thanks,T

Information

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[Trapper]

OK, I've figured out that the Barrel mark, "Exel" is a import mark.
Any other info still appreciated. This gun is in great shape.

[Tired Retired]

Trapper,

There are specific markings that help identify their manufacturers. You may want to use the Data Sheet that the Carbine Club puts out to help you identify all the parts. I know When I first got into carbines, the data sheet was a big help. Maybe one of the Club members will post the link for you (hint, hint, hint - this is chance to help a new guy.....)

For starters, the Exel mark is an importer which means that it came back into the US from overseas via that importer (Hence, it is not a CMP release). From a collector's standpoint, that decreases the value just a bit - but it does not mean that it is not a great gun.

The stock sounds like a Springfield Armory replacement stock - should have the M-2 cutout on the left side. Look at the interior of the handguard, it should also have at least one stamp somewhere on the underside.

As fall as you getting a great deal, you know where the carbine has been for 30 years and you trust the person you bought it from. That in itself is priceless.

Try and post pictures - these guys love to talk about what they see (right or wrong) with a new carbine someone gets. Other than that, any other descripters you can name - flat or round bolt, markings on the front sight, the name and any date on the barrel near the front sight, what you found when you field striped it...

Sounds like you are having fun figuring out how all of us got addicted to carbines so bad!

Welcome to the addiction - there is no cure!

[Trapper]

TR, Thanks for the quick info.
Looking for info is the fun part. I am really a reader and need some books on the M1
Back then, when we were teenagers, I also bought one, actually, my wife bought it for me before we were married. (think it was a trap?) That was a Winchester but that's all I remember other than it was a great shooter. The bolt broke and I traded it for something I cant remember..
Anyway, I've wanted to get another, (or several) for some time so this is a great start. You just don't seem to see these Carbines anymore like you used to.
I want a Garand too and our Club is just getting set up w/CMP. so that will be fun.
The markings under the top handgaurd are two letters.. S and A
I can't find any other markings on the Barrel which I thought was weird.
The Stock may have the M2 cut but I'm not sure and need a reference picture

[Trapper]

Hers some pics. I found a proof mark on the Barrel as well but no date.
Nothing on the stock that I can find except the S and A letters.
Sling has brass stops
No rust anywhere on gun

[browningautorifle]

Someone put a pad on the stock to make it longer. The stock IS cut for the selector but many are. Figuring out the date and age aren't a problem but we sort of need the whole number to work with. Sounds like you got a good shooter for yourself!

[painter777]

I have SA stocks here that have the 3 holes under the buttplate.
I can't see where it's been cut down for a recoil pad extension.
What am I missing?

Nice looking wood.

Trapper,
When you get those parts ID'd let us know.
About the barrel......Any markings on the gas cyclinder or the barrel flat?
Try taking some pics of this area.
Any sign of a small ovaled circle with the letters PW intertwined? Roughly about 5-7" from the muzzle on the top. Also maybe a partial or full W struke on it?
Possibly under your bayonet band also.

Looking forward to more pics and parts ID of your carbine.

Thanks for the share.......

Charlie-painter777

[Trapper]

Yes, the small circle with the P/W is on there, I thought it was a proof mark.
What does that mean?
I will take more pics and post as well as list all the markings. I'm gonna take it apart to clean it now.
thanks for all the help guys!

[painter777]

You have a WINCHESTER barrel !!
Does the front sight look like this left one ?

Winchester on the left........ Rock Ola on right......


Thumbnail style milling.......... Winchester on the bottom..... Rock Ola on top..


Another Winchester frt sight....... with heavier milling thumbnail pattern..


Fun EHHHH ?

Charlie-painter777

[Trapper]

Thank you for the site pictures. I'd say closer to the Winchester but not exactly..

Here R marks I found during cleaning.

Back bottom of barrel has a K, W, and a 8 behind the gas piston

Barrel band has a W on it's side

Magazine marked SY-B

Recoil plate has a 2 inside of a C or maybe a circle

Rear site has a small 3 on top and LR.CO. on the side

Hammer marked H.I

Slide serial number 7161843

Magazine catch M and small wa

Side of receiver has a R

I will take and post pics of the front site.