[FPrice]

A kid (I say kid, he was probably...early 20's???) brought in his grandfather's M-1 Carbine to the store yesterday. I about died from jealousy.

His grandfather was 82nd ABN in WWII, apparently was a POW for some time also. He brought home an M-1 Carbine, a Saginaw, ser no 1,869,xxx. Looked close to NIB. Some minor dings in the wood but the overall stock condition was very nice. Barrel and all metal parts seemed to have very little use. Sight was the early version I believe (have not had time to look at my Carbine books yet).

His grandfather supposedly has agreed to pass it on to him as part of his inheritance. There are some very nice surprises still hidden in closets and trunks, let's hope they are found or go to those who can appreciate them. This kid did.

[jrhead75]

Lucky kid (at my age, early 20s is a kid ;)). It might be a good idea for him to ask his grandfather to write up a provenance to go with the weapon, since it's an actual WWII vet.

[son of a gun]

Why did he bring it in ? for service or appraisal.

[RTFM]

Why did he bring it in ?
Bragging rights :D

RTFM

[Kaylee]

Thank God... for a second there reading your first paragraph I thought he was trying to sell it! *eek!!*

-K

[Chipperman]

Yeah, he wants to sell it to get money for his new Honda Civic muffler. :barf:

I wonder what else the old man has stashed away. Possibly Class III stuff? A Thompson, BAR, Grease Gun, etc?

They need to do an amnesty registration so all the people who have had Class III things in their attics for the past 50 years can get them registered.

[Sunray]

Any rifle "brought back" from WW II is stolen from your military. Same as it would be if some guy shows up with an M-16 he claims he "brought back" from Viet Nam. It's far more likely to be a CMP purchase from long ago that Grandpa embellished the story on. Look closely at those part numbers, I'd bet there are a few post-war numbers. Still worth a muffler though.

[Art Eatman]

No, Sunray, not at all "stolen". Salvaged. Rescued from wasteful destruction...

If it's okay for the government to destroy all the tools the taxpayer provided, such as airplanes, jeeps, tanks and trucks by bulldozing them into Pacific lagoons, etc., why is it wrong for a GI to bring back his weapon?

And, after WW II, our government allowed it as a legal thing for a GI to do. The government still trusted us, then.

Art

[JShirley]

Grandpa Shirley told me that GI's weren't allowed to buy their 1911's...but they could "lose" them for $5! :D

[FPrice]

"Why did he bring it in ? for service or appraisal."

Kinda both. He has no intention of selling it, just wanted to know what he had and how to take care of it. I showed him the basics of field stripping it for cleaning and lubrication.

Sunray - I could be wrong but I think it's original. If I ever get to see it again I'll check closer.

[ChairborneRanger]

Actually, with that SN, it is a Saginaw S'G', made in Grand Rapids, MI., the facility formerly run as Irwin-Pedersen----these are a bit rarer and are considered to be a separate and distinct "collector category" from regular Saginaw SG's.

To be considered original, it will have things/parts such as a rear flip sight (not an adjustible one), no bayonet lug, flat blued bolt, push safety, unmarked magazine catch, S'G' acceptance cartouche on right side of stock, etc.

[4v50 Gary]

The kid was looking for an excuse to "air" out grandpa's gun. May he always fondly remember grandpa. BTW, my two carbines are both Saginaws.

[Newton]

I believe the government still has several thousand selected USGI M1 Carbines in deep storage some place. Their intended purpose is as a SHTF emergency backup supply to the M16 (and M14 I believe).

Maybe one day they will be released for sale, I hope they laid the grease on good and thick.