The M1 carbine was used by troops during World War II.
The M1 carbine is a semi-automatic carbine that was used by the U.S. military during World War II and the Korean War. It's seen service with paramilitary organizations and foreign armed forces, and is a popular civilian firearm. In 1938, the U.S. military decided there was a need for a lighter rifle for troops. This set off competition among manufacturers seeking to design the new weapon. Winchester developed the first prototype in 1940 and since then, there have been several different models and parts produced by a variety of companies.
Identifying The M1 Carbine's Age
The M1 carbine has been adopted by foreign armed forces.
Over the past 65 years, most M1 carbines have been refurbished, refinished, repaired or re-barreled. Most show signs of service and replacement of parts. Rifles that have all the original parts have considerable value. Carbines are difficult to date, but visible serial numbers and manufacturers' names make the task easier. Barrels are considered part of the gun and may not contain any manufacturer information. Research M1 history to learn when barrels were adapted for bayonets, sniper scopes or flash suppressors. If a carbine is listed as having a 12-42 barrel, it means this part of the gun was manufactured in December 1942.
M1 Garand
M1 carbines are popular with civilian gun owners.
This was the first semi-automatic rifle issued to the U.S. military in 1936, replacing the bolt-action M1903 Springfield. It was highly prized by U.S. troops and has become a hot collectors' item. The design of the M1 Garand is not related to the M1 carbine.
M1 Carbine
M1 carbines were less difficult for specialty troops to handle.
This original M1 carbine was carried by specialists, medics, heavy weapons and mortar crews, who needed a rapid-fire, defensive weapon. It fired a short, .30-caliber cartridge from a 15- or 30-round magazine. Early models can be recognized because the barrel lacks the bayonet lug which was added in 1944. After World War II, a ramp-type rear sight was added. The barrel is 18-1/4 inches long, breech to muzzle.
M1 Manufacturers and Military Contractors
Several different military contractors helped manufacture M1 carbines.
There were many different components to the M1 carbine and, during wartime, there were 10 main manufacturers. M1 carbines were made by Winchester and two divisions of General Motors: Inland and Saginaw. Such unlikely manufacturers as IBM, National Postal Meter, Quality Hardware and Machine Corporation, Standard Products and Underwood-Elliott-Fisher produced carbines or specialized components for carbines. Rock-Ola, the jukebox manufacturer, produced 228,500 carbines. Underwood manufactured over 500,000 carbines and their receiver is clearly marked "Underwood". Small companies, such as Irwin-Pedersen, produced limited numbers which are treasured by collectors.
M1A1 Carbine
The M1A1 carbine was used in the Arab-Israeli War of 1948.
This semi-automatic has a folding metal butt-stock and the action assembled identically to the M1. Issued mainly to paratroopers, it was produced by Inland Division of General Motors and was used by the British Special Air Services, resistance groups and saw service in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. An M1A1 with an Inland 12-42 barrel is rare.
M2 and M3 Carbines
Later models of this carbine were modified for scopes and bayonets.
The M2, introduced in 1944, is selective-fire with a standard barrel and was used in Korea. Parts kits T17 and T18 allowed field conversion of the semi-automatic guns into the M2 configuration.
Only 3,000 M3 carbines were manufactured, but they saw action in the invasion of Okinawa, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. An infra-red night sight or sniper-scope was developed for the M3 carbine, which has a standard barrel.
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