The M1 Carbine

posted on November 7, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
201111791348-img_3178_2_f.jpg

The M1 Carbine owes its existence to the need to arm battlefield support troops with something other than a weighty M1 Garand. Thus, in 1938 Gen. Douglas MacArthur issued a directive to develop a “light rifle” for rear-line personnel.

The task fell to Winchester’s engineers, including William C. Roemer, Fred Humeston and supervisor Edwin Pugsley, based on a concept by Jonathon Edmund Browning, half-brother of John Browning. Although the 1952 movie “Carbine Williams” credits David Marshall Williams with inventing the M1 Carbine, as Bruce Canfield points out in “The Complete Guide To The M1 Garand and M1 Carbine,” Williams’ sole contribution was the carbine’s short-stroke gas piston system.

On Nov. 24, 1941, the Army contracted with Winchester and General Motors’ Inland Manufacturing Division to start production on what was officially known as “United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1.” It was fortuitous timing; two weeks later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Winchester and Inland produced the majority of the guns, assisted by (in order of quantity) Underwood-Elliot-Fisher; Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors (which assembled carbines from parts produced by the Irwin-Petersen Arms Co. of Grand Rapids, Mich.,); National Postal Meter; International Business Machines; Standard Products of Port Clinton, Ohio; and Rock-Ola Manufacturing Co. Extra receivers were produced by the Quality Hardware Machine Co. Early carbines had L-shaped rear sight assemblies, changed around 1944 to adjustable apertures. Bayonet lug sleeves were added later. Various additional parts revisions throughout production, combined with the numerous contractor sources, can make carbine collecting a lifetime affair.

In addition to the standard M1 Carbine (issued with 15-round magazines) there were four variations: M1A1 with folding wire stock; M2 with 30-round magazines and full-automatic capability; the night scope-equipped M3; and the T3 with integral scope base for snipers. In all, more than 6.5 million M1 Carbines were produced between September 1941 and August 1945, making it one of the most prolific arms of World War II.

In 1963, about 240,000 M1 Carbines were decommissioned and sold (without magazines) to NRA members for a mouth-watering $20 apiece ($17.50 plus $2.50 S&H). Made by Saginaw, this carbine is one of those guns, shipped from Red River Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas, to an NRA member on Jan. 24, 1964. In 80 percent condition, it retains the original NRA and Army Depot papers, plus the check stub. Normally valued at $650 to $750, this provenance makes it an $850 to $950 collectable—not a bad return on the NRA member’s investment.

Gun: M1 Carbine
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Serial Number: 3557XXX
Condition: 80 Percent - NRA Good/Very Good (Modern Gun Condition Standards)
Manufactured: Between May 1943 and February 1944 by the Saginaw Steering Gear Division of General Motors
Value: $850-$950 (includes premium for original government and NRA papers)

Latest

Savage RXR22 01
Savage RXR22 01

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Gun Of The Week: TriStar Arms Raptor II

For this week's range session, we’ve got a 20-ga. semi-automatic shotgun from TriStar Arms. And this latest iteration of the Raptor is sure to impress.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 3, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Powerhouse Pedigree: The .375 H&H Mag. & Its Descendants

The cartridge family dynasty that began with the .375 H&H Mag. is still gaining momentum well over a century later.

Beretta Donates Unreleased Shotgun To Benefit Marine Raider Foundation

Beretta supported the fifth annual NorCal Marine Raider Foundation Fundraiser by donating a one-of-a-kind, unreleased commemorative shotgun for the event’s auction.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.