Early Grenade Launcher Patent

[ROCK]

This is a patent drawing filed on Nov. 21, 1941 for a grenade launcher that can be used on the M1 or M1903. What is interesting is that there is no provision to to disable the semi automatic function of the M1. This could indicate that the Army was testing grenade firing M1's without disabling the gas system. This also could explain why the SA and Winchester started annealing receiver heels; in anticipation of increased battering of the heel caused by a functioning gas system.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

This could indicate that the Army was testing grenade firing M1's without disabling the gas system.

Yes, they found it unsuccessful and went to the bleed off design.

[ROCK]

Yes, they found it unsuccessful and went to the bleed off design.

I believe that they successfully launched grenades with the non bleed off launcher but that receiver heel cracking became a problem with heavy use. Thus, in search of a cure, they annealed receiver heels in order to reduce heel cracking.

Ordnance intended to go ahead with the non bleed off launcher and started to anneal receiver heels of rifles in production at SA and Winchester. They also started to anneal receiver heels of rifles that were in for overhaul at SA. That would explain why we see annealed heels on some very early serial number receivers. However, when the valve gas cylinder lock screw and the M7 launcher were developed, heel annealing was no longer needed and the annealing program was discontinued.

[browningautorifle]

Therefore...unsuccessful...

[Tom in N.J.]

That prototype launcher could be used on both the M1 and M1903 rifles an idea picked up in Viet Nam with the modification of M7 launchers for use on M1903/A3 rifles.

[browningautorifle]

That prototype launcher could be used on both the M1 and M1903 rifles an idea picked up in Viet Nam with the modification of M7 launchers for use on M1903/A3 rifles.

Pardon? You meant they did this again in RVN after the fact?

[ROCK]

Yes, they found it unsuccessful and went to the bleed off design.

They could successfully fire grenades unvented but another way was found to minimize receiver stress; the valve type gas cylinder lock screw. Ordnance chose the valve screw. They chose increased receiver life over the loss of semi automatic operation when the M7 was installed.

Firing grenades from M! Carbines damaged the stocks, Although Ordnance tested many re enforced stock designs, they never found a solution for shortened stock life. However, G.I.s successfully fired many grenades from Carbines in combat.

[browningautorifle]

They could successfully fire grenades unvented but another way was found to minimize receiver stress; the valve type gas cylinder lock screw. Ordnance chose the valve screw. They chose increased receiver life over the loss of semi automatic operation when the M7 was installed.

Agreed...