US GI full autos.

[RCS]

I believe this was a UK modification, a bar was spot welded across the magazine catch to prevent accidental release of the magazine. Never seen this on US examples. I found this photo on the internet but also think years ago when the dewats were around in the US these M3's had British proofs and the extra bar over the magazine catch?Attachment 97188

Later on there was a protector or fence issued to help prevent the accidental release of the magazine

[theholeinthedonut]

Thank you for sharing your guns. Your M3 SMG has been rebuilt at least twice by the Red River Army Depot and Rock Island Arsenal. You have a great collection.

Cheers

--fjruple

Is there any way to tell the time frame the M3 had been rebuilt at RRA and RIA

Cheers

tom

---------- Post added at 07:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 AM ----------

[QUOTE=fjruple;441647]

Cheers

No it's a GI issued sight for the M2, it was not widely used though. It's the "Sight, Telescopic, MI", the one I have was made in 1941 by the Fairchild Aviation Corporation. Unfortunately I don't have the leather M13 Carrying Case, but the lense is 100% clear, like new!!


Where these the original components or were they added later on in an armory?


The parts were original from the factory. It's just the nature of Armasteel when the parts are given a classical blued finish. PS-- Great looking Thompson

I had the sight, as well as the tripod before I got the M2. Both were found on the Bulge battlefield.

[fjruple]

[QUOTE=theholeinthedonut;442594]Is there any way to tell the time frame the M3 had been rebuilt at RRA and RIA

Cheers

tom[COLOR="black"]

Tom-

Some times you can date the rebuilt from the initials on the rebuild. I don't see any for RRAD but there is a EB for RIA. EB would the inspectors initials for his name. Some folks track the inspectors by their length of service at their particular arsenal. I would imagine your M3 was rebuilt just after WWII as the US had a massive rebuild programs and storage for future use. And probably again after the Korean War in the early 1950's. Your M3 was probably then released for sale or given as part of a US military program to her numerous allies.

Cheers

fjruple

[old tanker]

This is what I found for the "EB" inspector mark:

EB Unknown Re-Furbished Rifles, Rock Island Late 1940'S

US inspectors

I liked the Grease Gun when two of them were part of the tank's BII. I'd still like to have an M3A1. They were very controllable and carrying them on a tank largley negated the weight penalty.

[RCS]

The RIA EB inspection marks belongs to Elmer Bjerke who was the supervisor of the Inspection Division at Rock Island Arsenal from Jan 1947 to
April 1958

[browningautorifle]

Jan 1947 to
April 1958

That time frame makes more sense for an M3 type...for overhaul.

They were very controllable

I enjoyed shooting mine also, had 10 mags and would have them all empty in 15 minutes...300 rds gone... I'd have to sweep up brass and pick it up with a scoop shovel.

[theholeinthedonut]

Another BAR M-1918A1, this one built by IBM.

[cpc]

I noticed the pictures of the Armasteel receiver on the M2 earlier in the thread. Here is a new BAR with BII that has what appears to be the same finish. It was found in a warehouse at Anniston.
Attachment 97683Attachment 97682

[browningautorifle]

Interesting belt too. I'd like to have a good look at that. Yes, reddish purple...wonder what the full tale on that BAR is?

[RCS]

It had been stored by the US Army, no doubt since manufacture, there were some other interesting weapons too