RARE Matching Irwin-Pedersen M1 Carbine, WWII Bring Back, Parkerized 18” Semi-Automatic Rifle MFD 1942-1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $5,740.00
LSB#: 151215MR01

Make: Irwin-Pedersen

Model: M1 Carbine

Serial Number: 1781875

Year of Manufacture: November, 1942 – March, 1943 (http://m1family.com/topic24.html); Barrel Date 3 – 43

Caliber: .30 Carbine

Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine

Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. 30 M1” on the front and “IRWIN-PEDERSEN / 1781875” on the rear. The top of the barrel is marked “UNDERWOOD / 3 – 43 / flaming bomb” and “P”. Irwin-Pedersen did not make their own barrels. Underwood and others made barrels for Irwin-Pedersen (see http://m1family.com/topic24.html). The bottom rear of the barrel is marked with a “flaming bomb”. The right rear of the trigger group is marked “I P” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 48 of Craig Riesch’s book, U.S. M1 Carbines Wartime Production). The hammer is marked “IP” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 59). The magazine release is marked “IP-W” which is an Irwin-Pederson mark (page 66). The safety is marked “IP-W” which is an Irwin-Pederson mark (page 63). The inside of the operating slide is marked “IP” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 41). The bolt is marked “IP” on the right lug which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 19). The front sight is faintly marked “IPN” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 34). The Type I rear sight is marked “IP-B” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 17). There is a 0.290 inch “locator hole” at the left rear of the receiver which is found on Irwin-Pederson manufactured M1 receivers (page 14). The Type IA barrel band is marked “UP” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 37). The sling well is marked “IR-IP” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 73). The inside of the handguard is marked “IR-IP” which is an Irwin-Pedersen mark (page 85). The bottom of the grip is marked with a faded “circled P”. The right side of the stock is marked with the Ordnance Department’s “crossed cannons” cartouche and “S’G’ in a box”. The “S’G’ in a box” marking is for Saginaw S’G” and is correct for an Irwin-Pedersen stock; see “Our Assessment” below.

Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a post set between two protective wings. The rear sight is a Type I flip up, dual aperture assembly.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a pistol grip, metal barrel band with sling loop, sling well, sling pass through, and a metal buttplate. There is some paint residue on the stock. There is a long deep scratch on the lower right side of the butt. There are small chips in the handguard. There are various other scrapes, scratches and compression marks. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Parkerized

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling sharp. There is no visible erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.

Overall Condition:
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a letter signed by C.P.O. 1 & Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class Eugene F. Balcewicz. It is dated 12/08/2015. The letter includes the rifle’s make & serial number and states that he has been in sole possession of the rifle since 1945 when he brought it home after the Solomon Islands campaign. A photo printout of Mr. Balcewicz in uniform along with his ship and service ribbons/medals is also included. The papers are creased and in about Fine condition.
The rifle comes with a green canvas sling that shows discoloration, oxidation on the metal tabs and wear. It is in about Good to Very Good condition. It also comes with a 15 round magazine. The rear of the magazine is marked “IA” which is an Inland mark (page 88). It shows light scratches, some thinning and surface erosion. It is in about Good condition. The 15 round magazine is not available to residents of California or any other jurisdiction with magazine capacity restrictions.

Our Assessment: This is a rare matching Irwin-Pedersen M1 Carbine. It appears to be an early Irwin-Pedersen M1 as very part on the rifle has the proper Irwin-Pedersen mark. Later Irwin-Pedersen M1 Carbines had less Irwin-Pedersen parts and an increasing number of Saginaw S’G” parts. The stock is marked with a Saginaw S’G’ stamp that was applied after Saginaw S’G’ took over production for Irwin-Pedersen and is a correct marking for the rifle. It has a rare 0.290 inch “locator hole” at the left rear of the receiver which is found on early Irwin-Pederson Carbines.
This M1 Carbine was brought back across the Pacific after WWII by the Navy crewman it was issued to. He and the rifle participated in the Solomon Islands campaign from 1943-1945. That would make him an “original owner”. There is paperwork signed by the Navy crewman included in the auction. The rifle appears to have been exposed to salt air during its service. We have not cleaned this rifle. We only wiped it down to reveal markings.
The following is taken from http://m1family.com/topic24.html: “No complete Irwin-Pederson rifles were ever accepted by the U.S. Government. Any completed Irwin-Pederson rifles were most likely reassembled and reinspected by Saginaw (S’G’) after they took over the contracts…Irwin-Pederson did not meet the standards of the Government and their contracts were canceled on March 27th and Saginaw (S’G’) took over on April 1st, 1943. Mixed Irwin-Pederson and Saginaw (S’G’) parts can be found in these Carbines, but later carbines will have less IP parts because they used up all the IP parts.”