M1 GARAND
"....the greatest implement of battle ever devised." - General George S. Patton
The M1 Garand (more formally the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1) was the first semi-automatic rifle in the world to be generally issued to infantry. It
officially replaced the Springfield M1903 rifle as the standard service rifle of the United States military in 1937.
The M1 was developed by Springfield Armory firearms designer John Garand. The prototypes were refined during the 1920s and 1930s. Although
officially adopted in 1932, it did not formally enter service until 1936, and then only through an executive decision by then-Army Chief of Staff General
Douglas MacArthur. The first production model was successfully proof-fired, function-fired, and fired for accuracy on July 21, 1937.
The M1's semi-automatic capability gave United States forces a significant advantage in firepower and shot-to-shot response time over individual enemy
infantry in battle (German and Japanese soldiers were usually armed with manually operated bolt-action rifles). The impact of the Garand and faster-firing
infantry small arms in general soon stimulated both Allied and Axis forces to greatly augment issue of semi- and fully-automatic weapons then in
production, as well as to develop new types of infantry firearms.
Ejection of an empty clip created a distinctive and unnatural metallic "pinging" sound. In World War II, reports arose that German and Japanese infantry
were making use of this noise in combat to alert them to an empty M1 rifle in order to 'get the drop' on their American counterparts. The information was
taken seriously enough that U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground began experiments with clips made of various plastics in order to soften the sound,
though no improved clips were ever adopted.
"....the greatest implement of battle ever devised." - General George S. Patton
The M1 Garand (more formally the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1) was the first semi-automatic rifle in the world to be generally issued to infantry. It
officially replaced the Springfield M1903 rifle as the standard service rifle of the United States military in 1937.
The M1 was developed by Springfield Armory firearms designer John Garand. The prototypes were refined during the 1920s and 1930s. Although
officially adopted in 1932, it did not formally enter service until 1936, and then only through an executive decision by then-Army Chief of Staff General
Douglas MacArthur. The first production model was successfully proof-fired, function-fired, and fired for accuracy on July 21, 1937.
The M1's semi-automatic capability gave United States forces a significant advantage in firepower and shot-to-shot response time over individual enemy
infantry in battle (German and Japanese soldiers were usually armed with manually operated bolt-action rifles). The impact of the Garand and faster-firing
infantry small arms in general soon stimulated both Allied and Axis forces to greatly augment issue of semi- and fully-automatic weapons then in
production, as well as to develop new types of infantry firearms.
Ejection of an empty clip created a distinctive and unnatural metallic "pinging" sound. In World War II, reports arose that German and Japanese infantry
were making use of this noise in combat to alert them to an empty M1 rifle in order to 'get the drop' on their American counterparts. The information was
taken seriously enough that U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground began experiments with clips made of various plastics in order to soften the sound,
though no improved clips were ever adopted.
WEAPONRY
M1 CARBINE
The M1 Carbine (formally the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine that became a standard
firearm in the U.S. mlitary during World War II. It was widely used by U.S. and foreign military and paramilitary forces.
The M1 Carbine was designed primarily to offer non-combat and line-of-communications troops a better defensive weapon than a pistol or
submachine gun, with greater accuracy and range, but without the recoil, cost, or weight of a full-power infantry rifle. The carbine was more
convenient to carry for officers, NCOs, or specialists encumbered with weapons, field glasses, radios, or other gear. Tankers, drivers,
artillery crews, mortar crews, and other personnel were also issued the M1 Carbine in lieu of the larger, heavier M1 Garand. The first M1
Carbines were delivered in mid 1942, with initial priority given to troops in the European theatre of war.
The M1 Carbine was soon issued to infantry officers, machine-gun crews, paratroopers, and other frontline soldiers. Its reputation in combat
was mixed. Some infantrymen preferred the carbine over the M1 Garand because of the weapon's small size and light weight. The carbine
also gained generally high praise from airborne troops who were issued the folding-stock M1A1. The carbine's exclusive use of
non-corrosive primered ammunition was found to be a godsend by troops and ordnance personnel serving in the Pacific, where barrel
corrosion was a significant issue, though not to the same extent in Europe, where some soldiers reported misfires attributed to bad
primers. The M1 Carbine had a high practical rate of fire. This, and the carbine's light weight, compactness, and low recoil made it a
convenient self-defense weapon. With a much-reduced kick compared to the M1 Garand, a soldier would be able to fire multiple aimed
shots more rapidly.
The M1 Carbine issued during the World war II European Theater was an early version, which had a flip "L" sight, a push button safety,
absence of the bayonet lug, and a khaki sling.
The M1 Carbine (formally the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine that became a standard
firearm in the U.S. mlitary during World War II. It was widely used by U.S. and foreign military and paramilitary forces.
The M1 Carbine was designed primarily to offer non-combat and line-of-communications troops a better defensive weapon than a pistol or
submachine gun, with greater accuracy and range, but without the recoil, cost, or weight of a full-power infantry rifle. The carbine was more
convenient to carry for officers, NCOs, or specialists encumbered with weapons, field glasses, radios, or other gear. Tankers, drivers,
artillery crews, mortar crews, and other personnel were also issued the M1 Carbine in lieu of the larger, heavier M1 Garand. The first M1
Carbines were delivered in mid 1942, with initial priority given to troops in the European theatre of war.
The M1 Carbine was soon issued to infantry officers, machine-gun crews, paratroopers, and other frontline soldiers. Its reputation in combat
was mixed. Some infantrymen preferred the carbine over the M1 Garand because of the weapon's small size and light weight. The carbine
also gained generally high praise from airborne troops who were issued the folding-stock M1A1. The carbine's exclusive use of
non-corrosive primered ammunition was found to be a godsend by troops and ordnance personnel serving in the Pacific, where barrel
corrosion was a significant issue, though not to the same extent in Europe, where some soldiers reported misfires attributed to bad
primers. The M1 Carbine had a high practical rate of fire. This, and the carbine's light weight, compactness, and low recoil made it a
convenient self-defense weapon. With a much-reduced kick compared to the M1 Garand, a soldier would be able to fire multiple aimed
shots more rapidly.
The M1 Carbine issued during the World war II European Theater was an early version, which had a flip "L" sight, a push button safety,
absence of the bayonet lug, and a khaki sling.
M1A1 THOMPSON
The Thompson Submachine Gun was designed by General John T. Thompson, who was inspired by the trench warfare of World War I
to develop a "one-man, hand-held machine gun", firing a rifle caliber round. Thompson intended the weapon as an automatic
'trench-broom' to sweep enemy troops from the trenches, filling a role the BAR had proved incapable of performing. In 1938, the
Thompson submachine gun was adopted by the U.S. military, serving during World War II and beyond.
Modifications to simplify production and reduce cost were made in 1942, resulting in the M1 and M1A1 models, which were commonly
carried by both non-commissioned and commissioned officers. The Thompson found particular utility in World War II in the hands of
Allied troops as a weapon for scouts, non-commissioned officers, and patrol leaders. In the European theater, the gun was widely
utilized in British and Canadian Commando units, as well as U.S. paratroop and Ranger battalions.
The Thompson has a fairly high rate of fire at 900+ rounds per minute (rpm), higher than many other submachine guns of smaller
caliber. This rate of fire, combined with a rather heavy trigger pull and a stock with excessive drop, increases the tendency of the gun to
climb off target in automatic fire. By the standards of the day, however, the Thompson was one of the most effective and reliable
submachine guns available.
The Thompson Submachine Gun was designed by General John T. Thompson, who was inspired by the trench warfare of World War I
to develop a "one-man, hand-held machine gun", firing a rifle caliber round. Thompson intended the weapon as an automatic
'trench-broom' to sweep enemy troops from the trenches, filling a role the BAR had proved incapable of performing. In 1938, the
Thompson submachine gun was adopted by the U.S. military, serving during World War II and beyond.
Modifications to simplify production and reduce cost were made in 1942, resulting in the M1 and M1A1 models, which were commonly
carried by both non-commissioned and commissioned officers. The Thompson found particular utility in World War II in the hands of
Allied troops as a weapon for scouts, non-commissioned officers, and patrol leaders. In the European theater, the gun was widely
utilized in British and Canadian Commando units, as well as U.S. paratroop and Ranger battalions.
The Thompson has a fairly high rate of fire at 900+ rounds per minute (rpm), higher than many other submachine guns of smaller
caliber. This rate of fire, combined with a rather heavy trigger pull and a stock with excessive drop, increases the tendency of the gun to
climb off target in automatic fire. By the standards of the day, however, the Thompson was one of the most effective and reliable
submachine guns available.
M1903 SPRINGFIELD
The Springfield M1903, formally the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, Model 1903, is an American magazine-fed, bolt-action rifle used
primarily during the first half of the 20th century. It was officially adopted as a service rifle on June 19th 1903, and was officially
replaced as a service rifle by the faster-firing, semi-automatic M1 Garand, starting in 1936. The M1903 saw notable use in World War I
and World War II. Some dubbed it the "weapon of the silent death," since a person could be struck by its bullet before ever hearing the
weapon's report.
The M1903 and the M1903A3 rifle were used in combat alongside the M1 Garand by the U.S. military during the Second World War and
saw extensive use and action in the hands of U.S. troops in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. The US Army Rangers were also a
major user of the M1903 during World War II with the Springfield being preferred over the M1 Garand for commando missions. By
mid-war, however, US combat troops had been re-equipped with the M1 Garand. It remained in service for snipers (using the
M1903A4) and grenadiers (using a spigot type rifle grenade launcher). However, some front-line infantry units in both the US Army and
the US Marine Corps still used the M1903 despite large quantities of M1 Garands being made available to front-line troops during the
later years of World War II.
The Springfield M1903, formally the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, Model 1903, is an American magazine-fed, bolt-action rifle used
primarily during the first half of the 20th century. It was officially adopted as a service rifle on June 19th 1903, and was officially
replaced as a service rifle by the faster-firing, semi-automatic M1 Garand, starting in 1936. The M1903 saw notable use in World War I
and World War II. Some dubbed it the "weapon of the silent death," since a person could be struck by its bullet before ever hearing the
weapon's report.
The M1903 and the M1903A3 rifle were used in combat alongside the M1 Garand by the U.S. military during the Second World War and
saw extensive use and action in the hands of U.S. troops in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. The US Army Rangers were also a
major user of the M1903 during World War II with the Springfield being preferred over the M1 Garand for commando missions. By
mid-war, however, US combat troops had been re-equipped with the M1 Garand. It remained in service for snipers (using the
M1903A4) and grenadiers (using a spigot type rifle grenade launcher). However, some front-line infantry units in both the US Army and
the US Marine Corps still used the M1903 despite large quantities of M1 Garands being made available to front-line troops during the
later years of World War II.
M1918 BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE
The Browning Automatic Rifle (more formally as Browning Automatic Rifle, .30 Caliber, and commonly known as the BAR), is a family of
automatic rifles (or machine rifles) and light machine guns used by the United States and other countries during the 20th century. It was
designed in 1917 by the weapons designer John Browning. The BAR was originally intended as a light automatic rifle, but spent much of
its career in various guises used in the light machine gun role with a bipod. The original M1918 version was and remains the lightest
service machine gun to fire the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, though the limited capacity of its standard 20-round magazine tended to
hamper its utility as a light machine gun.
From its inception, the BAR M1918 was a selective fire automatic rifle allowing the user to choose either semi or fully automatic fire. First
issued in February 1918, it was hoped the BAR might help break the stalemate of the trenches by the concept of "walking fire"; an
automatic weapon accompanying advancing squads of riflemen rushing from trench to trench. In addition to shoulder-fired operation,
BAR gunners were issued a belt that held magazine pouches for the BAR and sidearm along with a "cup" to support the stock of the rifle
when held at the hip. This allowed the soldier to lay suppressive fire while walking forward, keeping the enemy's head down until it was
too late.
Issued as the heavy fire support for a squad, all men were trained at the basic level how to operate and fire the BAR in case the man
carrying it was out of action. While not without its design flaws, the basic BAR design nevertheless proved itself when kept clean and
earned a reputation as being rugged and reliable. It served as a frontline standard weapon from the latter days of World War I through
World War II.
The Browning Automatic Rifle (more formally as Browning Automatic Rifle, .30 Caliber, and commonly known as the BAR), is a family of
automatic rifles (or machine rifles) and light machine guns used by the United States and other countries during the 20th century. It was
designed in 1917 by the weapons designer John Browning. The BAR was originally intended as a light automatic rifle, but spent much of
its career in various guises used in the light machine gun role with a bipod. The original M1918 version was and remains the lightest
service machine gun to fire the .30-06 Springfield cartridge, though the limited capacity of its standard 20-round magazine tended to
hamper its utility as a light machine gun.
From its inception, the BAR M1918 was a selective fire automatic rifle allowing the user to choose either semi or fully automatic fire. First
issued in February 1918, it was hoped the BAR might help break the stalemate of the trenches by the concept of "walking fire"; an
automatic weapon accompanying advancing squads of riflemen rushing from trench to trench. In addition to shoulder-fired operation,
BAR gunners were issued a belt that held magazine pouches for the BAR and sidearm along with a "cup" to support the stock of the rifle
when held at the hip. This allowed the soldier to lay suppressive fire while walking forward, keeping the enemy's head down until it was
too late.
Issued as the heavy fire support for a squad, all men were trained at the basic level how to operate and fire the BAR in case the man
carrying it was out of action. While not without its design flaws, the basic BAR design nevertheless proved itself when kept clean and
earned a reputation as being rugged and reliable. It served as a frontline standard weapon from the latter days of World War I through
World War II.
M3A1 SUBMACHINE GUN
The M3 "Grease Gun" (more formally United States Submachine Gun, Cal. .45, M3/M3A1) was a submachine gun developed by the United
States during World War II as a cheap substitute for the Thompson. It was nicknamed the Grease Gun because of its resemblance to an
automotive grease gun, and because it contained an oil reservoir in the grip.
When World War II began, the Thompson submachine gun was the standard U.S. submachine gun. However, the Thompson was
comparatively expensive in terms of machining and time to manufacture. The .45 caliber M3 was adopted in 1942, designed specifically for
simplified production using pressed and stamped metal parts. The gun was made by welding two pressed-metal shells together to form the
exterior of the weapon. Far easier to manufacture than the Thompson, the M3 incorporated several updated design features, including a barrel
that detached without tools, and a bolt that rode on two wire guide springs. A low cyclic rate of fire and straight-line recoil thrust made it easier
to control than many other submachine guns, especially during automatic fire, though the spindly wire-frame stock fit few users and was rather
too short.
The M3 was designed to be a disposable firearm once damaged or disabled, and no spare parts were provided to Army ordnance commands.
This decision proved to be a minor catastrophe after inevitable supply bottlenecks caused reserve stocks of the M3 to run out in certain
commands, forcing ordnance technicians to make emergency repairs and fabricate pawl springs in order to provide frontline units with
operating weapons.
The M3 used the blowback method of operation. It could be fired only in fully-automatic mode, but experienced soldiers could usually fire single
shots with it due to its very low rate of fire (400–450 rounds per minute).
The M3 "Grease Gun" (more formally United States Submachine Gun, Cal. .45, M3/M3A1) was a submachine gun developed by the United
States during World War II as a cheap substitute for the Thompson. It was nicknamed the Grease Gun because of its resemblance to an
automotive grease gun, and because it contained an oil reservoir in the grip.
When World War II began, the Thompson submachine gun was the standard U.S. submachine gun. However, the Thompson was
comparatively expensive in terms of machining and time to manufacture. The .45 caliber M3 was adopted in 1942, designed specifically for
simplified production using pressed and stamped metal parts. The gun was made by welding two pressed-metal shells together to form the
exterior of the weapon. Far easier to manufacture than the Thompson, the M3 incorporated several updated design features, including a barrel
that detached without tools, and a bolt that rode on two wire guide springs. A low cyclic rate of fire and straight-line recoil thrust made it easier
to control than many other submachine guns, especially during automatic fire, though the spindly wire-frame stock fit few users and was rather
too short.
The M3 was designed to be a disposable firearm once damaged or disabled, and no spare parts were provided to Army ordnance commands.
This decision proved to be a minor catastrophe after inevitable supply bottlenecks caused reserve stocks of the M3 to run out in certain
commands, forcing ordnance technicians to make emergency repairs and fabricate pawl springs in order to provide frontline units with
operating weapons.
The M3 used the blowback method of operation. It could be fired only in fully-automatic mode, but experienced soldiers could usually fire single
shots with it due to its very low rate of fire (400–450 rounds per minute).
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WEAPONRY of the RANGERS
Fox Company employs several weapons to authentically portray the
elite fighting soldiers of World War II. All of these are government
issue, and are blank adapted for our purposes in living histories and
battle re-enactments. These weapons are real; therefore, we take
considerable practice in safety and federal regulations and guidelines
to ensure these firearms are used responsibly and respectfully.
Fox Company employs several weapons to authentically portray the
elite fighting soldiers of World War II. All of these are government
issue, and are blank adapted for our purposes in living histories and
battle re-enactments. These weapons are real; therefore, we take
considerable practice in safety and federal regulations and guidelines
to ensure these firearms are used responsibly and respectfully.
M1A1 BAZOOKA
The bazooka was a man-portable anti-tank rocket launcher, made famous during World War II where it was one of the primary infantry
anti-tank weapons used by the United States Armed Forces. It was one of the first weapons based on the High explosive anti-tank (HEAT)
shell to enter service. It was nicknamed "bazooka" from a vague resemblance to the musical instrument of the same name invented and
used by Bob Burns. It saw widespread use throughout WWII.
The War Department had developed a shaped-charge hand grenade for anti-tank use that was effective at defeating up to 100 mm (4 in)
of armor, by far the best such weapon in the world at the time. However, the M10 grenade weighed 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) and was difficult to throw
and too heavy to function as a rifle grenade. The only practical way to use it was to place it directly on the tank. Army Colonel Leslie A.
Skinner suggested placing the grenade on the front of the experimental rocket launcher he had developed with U.S. Army Lieutenant
Edward G. Uhl, a weapon looking for a role. By late 1942, the Rocket Launcher, M1A1 was introduced.
The main drawback to the weapon was the large backblast and smoke trail which gave away the position of the shooter. Secretly
introduced in Operation Torch, it was highly effective, though inherently inaccurate at all but very close ranges. Its impact was such that
General Dwight D. Eisenhower later described it as one of the weapons which won World War II for the allies. The Germans immediately
copied it from captured weapons, to produce their own much larger version known as the Panzerschreck.
The bazooka was a man-portable anti-tank rocket launcher, made famous during World War II where it was one of the primary infantry
anti-tank weapons used by the United States Armed Forces. It was one of the first weapons based on the High explosive anti-tank (HEAT)
shell to enter service. It was nicknamed "bazooka" from a vague resemblance to the musical instrument of the same name invented and
used by Bob Burns. It saw widespread use throughout WWII.
The War Department had developed a shaped-charge hand grenade for anti-tank use that was effective at defeating up to 100 mm (4 in)
of armor, by far the best such weapon in the world at the time. However, the M10 grenade weighed 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) and was difficult to throw
and too heavy to function as a rifle grenade. The only practical way to use it was to place it directly on the tank. Army Colonel Leslie A.
Skinner suggested placing the grenade on the front of the experimental rocket launcher he had developed with U.S. Army Lieutenant
Edward G. Uhl, a weapon looking for a role. By late 1942, the Rocket Launcher, M1A1 was introduced.
The main drawback to the weapon was the large backblast and smoke trail which gave away the position of the shooter. Secretly
introduced in Operation Torch, it was highly effective, though inherently inaccurate at all but very close ranges. Its impact was such that
General Dwight D. Eisenhower later described it as one of the weapons which won World War II for the allies. The Germans immediately
copied it from captured weapons, to produce their own much larger version known as the Panzerschreck.
M1911 AUTOMATIC PISTOL
The M1911 is a single-action, semiautomatic handgun chambered for
the .45 ACP cartridge. It was designed by John M. Browning, and was
the standard-issue side arm for the United States armed forces from
1911 to 1985. Its formal designation as of 1940 was Automatic Pistol,
Caliber .45, M1911 for the original Model of 1911 or Automatic Pistol,
Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the M1911A1, adopted in 1924. In total, the
United States procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols
during its service life. The M1911 officially replaced a range of
revolvers and pistols across branches of the U.S. armed forces,
though a number of other designs would see some use in certain
niches.
World War II and the years leading up to it created a great demand for
the weapon. During the war, about 1.9 million units were procured by
the U.S. Government for all forces, production being undertaken by
several manufacturers. So many were produced that, after 1945, the
government did not order any new pistols, and simply used existing
parts inventories to "arsenal refinish" guns when necessary. This
pistol remains favored by US military personnel.
The M1911 is a single-action, semiautomatic handgun chambered for
the .45 ACP cartridge. It was designed by John M. Browning, and was
the standard-issue side arm for the United States armed forces from
1911 to 1985. Its formal designation as of 1940 was Automatic Pistol,
Caliber .45, M1911 for the original Model of 1911 or Automatic Pistol,
Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the M1911A1, adopted in 1924. In total, the
United States procured around 2.7 million M1911 and M1911A1 pistols
during its service life. The M1911 officially replaced a range of
revolvers and pistols across branches of the U.S. armed forces,
though a number of other designs would see some use in certain
niches.
World War II and the years leading up to it created a great demand for
the weapon. During the war, about 1.9 million units were procured by
the U.S. Government for all forces, production being undertaken by
several manufacturers. So many were produced that, after 1945, the
government did not order any new pistols, and simply used existing
parts inventories to "arsenal refinish" guns when necessary. This
pistol remains favored by US military personnel.
| EDGED WEAPONS |
| M1903 BAYONET This bayonet, when fixed to the end of an M1903 Springfield or M1 Garand, became a deadly close combat weapon of the American infantryman. These were attached to the M28 haversack or Ammo belt when not in use. |
| M3 COMBAT KNIFE The standard issue combat knife in WWII. Worn on the Ammo Belt in either the early war M6 leather scabbard or the mid war M8 scabbard, this knife was utilitarian in design and was an excellent choice in hand to hand combat. |
| Fairebane-Sykes DAGGER This was the edged weapon of choice for British commandos and US Rangers. Designed specifically for the element of surprise, the F-S Dagger remains an icon for the US Army Rangers of today. |
Information collected and composed by 2ndRangerBattalion.org 2010
| MkIIA1 HE FRAGMENTATION GRENADE The fragmentation grenade is an anti-personnel weapon that is designed to disperse shrapnel upon exploding. The MKIIA1, commonly referred to as the "pin and pineapple", is made of malleable iron in a lemon shape. It is externally segmented dividing it into 40 sections, has a threaded filling hole on the bottom for the placement of 2 ounces of TNT, and a larger threaded hole on top for the igniter mechanism. This grenade has 4-5 second delay and an effective radius of 30 yards. Early models were painted yellow to show HE filler, but because the bright yellow stood out in battle later grenades were painted green with a yellow band around the neck. |