September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/11/2024
Manufactured by Saginaw, this carbine is serial numbered 8,865,930, much higher than Saginaw's highest 6,071,188 and the overall WWII production number of 8,069,660 indicating a stamping error at Saginaw. Carbine is fitted with an even more interesting Winchester barrel with a swaged gas cylinder, as Winchester made barrels with integral gas cylinders. Pages 319-320 of Larry Ruth's "War Baby" discus Winchester buying parts from manufacturers whose contracts were cancelled in April 1944. It is believed this may have been an unfinished barrel from one of these contracts that Winchester completed. "N" marked milled front sight, adjustable rear sight, "7764" electro-pencil marked flat bolt, and push button safety. Small parts were largely corrected to WWII configuration by Larry Ruth after receiving it directly from the importer. High wood stock marked “RSG” in the sling well with “RSG” 2 rivet hand guard retained by a Type 1 band. Complete with a green woven sling. CONDITION: Very good as restored. The majority of the parkerized finishes are retained, a bayonet lug ghost present on the barrel and light to moderate wear throughout. Stock and hand guard are fine as lightly cleaned with a few minor marks. Very good, bright bore. ME of 2. Fine mechanics. A very interesting error carbine with perhaps the highest known WWII serial number. PROVENANCE: Larry Ruth Collection