I've been trying to find out what manufacturer(s) made M1 Carbines for the Air Force in use during the 60s and 70s. I remember training with them before we were issued M-16s. All I've learned so far is that a dozen or more companies made them during and after WWII. Very confusing history. Thanks in advance for any information.
New Guy Question about M1 Carbines
- Thread starter 1av8r
- Start date
They were made by everyone from General Motors, Underwood (typewriters) Rock-Ola (juke boxes), it goes on and on: http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/manufacturers.html
I don't believe any were made for the Air Force (would have been the USAAC or USAAF if they had been in any case, and then taken over by the USAF in '47) per se, but here's a list of USGI contractors
Winchester
Inland Division of GM
Underwood-Elliot-Fisher
Rock-Ola Manufacturing
Quality Hardware Machine Corporation
National Postal Meter
Standard Products
International Business Machine
Saginaw Steering Gear Division of GM (Saginaw plant and Grand Rapids plant)
Irwin-Pederson
Dfariswheel
New member
To be clear, all USGI M1 Carbines were manufactured during WWII.
The last GI Carbines were made in 1945 and that's all that were ever made.
There were no Carbines produced after the war.
The Carbines the Air Force used in the 60's and 70's were the WWII Carbines that were put through rebuild programs were they were refurbished and old style parts were replaced with new style parts.
As example, during the rebuilds Carbines without a bayonet lock had locks installed.
The last GI Carbines were made in 1945 and that's all that were ever made.
There were no Carbines produced after the war.
The Carbines the Air Force used in the 60's and 70's were the WWII Carbines that were put through rebuild programs were they were refurbished and old style parts were replaced with new style parts.
As example, during the rebuilds Carbines without a bayonet lock had locks installed.
