What M1 Garand was called

[Mark in Rochester]

My neighbor 90 year old WW2 80 mountan division called them M1's

[Joe W]

So it appears it was either called the "M1" or just "rifle" and very few, if any, ever called it a "Garand". And I would guess that all learned real quick to never call your M1 rifle a GUN.

[Frank Chance]

Although 4-F, I was in high school ROTC from 1951 to 1955. Like other responders, we referred to "M1,"
"car-been," and "B-A-R." "Garand" became popular only in recent years -- but most mispronounce it
"gah-RAND," whereas I think it should be "GEH-rand."

[Amsdorf]

So, does the Garand Collectors Association need to change its name??

[Joe W]

So, does the Garand Collectors Association need to change its name??

Hell no. I think we ALL agree that the term "Garand" for the M1 Rifle is pretty well set in stone at this period of history. What we were discussing in this thread was what the M1 was called 50 plus years ago or at least what it was called by those in the military services.

[ww2farmer]

I have talked and interveiwed dozens of WW2 and Korean War vets while doing research for my reenacting unit. Almost with out exception they all called Garands....."M1's" and M1/M2 carbines "Car-beans". The BAR was the "BAR", and any 1911 pistol was a ".45" Keeping with the "what did they call them theme" M3/M3A1's were quite often called "grease guns", any and all Thompsons were refered to as "tommy guns" or "Thompsons". The belt fed 1917A1, 1919A4's, or 1919A6's were just refered to as " thirty cals" or " machine guns".

[unclebubba]

I was talking to a couple down at Ft Hood at the snack bar not to long ago, telling them that I carried a M1 for a few years when I was in. One guy spoke up and said "you carried a tank?"
O course we were at Ft Hood.

[Rick B]

Again as I have shown back when it was made and into the war it was called a Garand or in this case a Garands Semi-automatic rifle. Just because we colect 70 year later and think we know, the documents I have been showing say it was called a Garand way back. All of the pictures I have shown in another thread show this also as does more I have here. And yes it was called the M1 also so either name could be correct.. Rick B

http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/d...e_Inventor.pdf

---------- Post added at 02:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:29 PM ----------

Revisiting the Name of the Garand rifle

[fjruple]

When I first enlisted in the Army, most M1s were referred to as M1 or Rifle. The International Harvester version of the M1 were nicknamed as a "Grim Reaper." I guess that's based on the fact International Harvester also producing farming equipment.

--fjruple

[Joe W]

Again as I have shown back when it was made and into the war it was called a Garand or in this case a Garands Semi-automatic rifle. Just because we colect 70 year later and think we know, the documents I have been showing say it was called a Garand way back. All of the pictures I have shown in another thread show this also as does more I have here. And yes it was called the M1 also so either name could be correct.. Rick B

http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/d...e_Inventor.pdf

---------- Post added at 02:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:29 PM ----------


Revisiting the Name of the Garand rifle

Very interesting documents Rick. I have no doubt that the term "Garand" was in use by many at that period of history. I am just pointing out what those young, at the time, soliders and Marines that carried the M1 rifle called it. For the majority, they had no more idea who John C. Garand was than who the inventor of the 3.5 rocket launcher may have been. Nor did they care. They saw "U.S. Rifle Cal. 30 M1" on the heel and that was about it.