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BIRTH OF THE M1 CARBINE

Lt. Col Rene R. Studler, Chief of the Small Arms Development Branch of the Office, Chief of Ordinance was one of the driving forces behind the carbine.

The carbine had to meet the following basic requirements:

1.  Not to exceed five pounds in weight including the sling.

2.  To be effective up to a range of 300 yards.

3.  To be carried by a sling or some comparable carrying device.

Specifications for the M1 Carbine:

Operation: M1, M1A1 Semiautomatic
Length: 36"
Weight unloaded: 5.19 lbs 
Barrel: 18" 4 grooves with right hand twist
Weight loaded with magazine and sling: 5.80 lbs.

Weight of magazine unloaded: 0.17  lbs

Weight of magizine loaded with 15 cartriges: 0.59

Weigth of 100 cartriges: 2.79 lbs 

Weight of one cartrige: 2.79 grains

Sight radius: 21.46"

Trigger pull: 4 to 6 lbs
Magazine Capacity: 15 or 30 round detachable box
Muzzle: velocity 1990 fps, 967 ft-lbs.
300 yards: 1035 fps, 262 ft-lbs
Effective range: 300 yards

M1 CARBINE MANUFACTURES,
SERIAL  AND PRODUCTION
NUMBERS.

WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED: 828,059
SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
6-10
1,000,000-1349,999
4,075,000-4,075,009
5,549,992-5,834,618
6,449,868-6,629,883
7,234,884-7,369,660
01701-07545 (T3)

INLAND MANUFACTURING

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED; 2,632,097

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1-5
11-30
31-99
0001--1700 (T3)
00001-00900 (T3)
000001-000500 (T4)
100-699,999
700,000-940,000  Note:includes subcontractors
940,0001-999,999
2,912,520-3,152,519
3,152,520-3,212,519 Note includes subcontractors
4,879,526-5,549,821
6,219,689-6,449,867
6,664,884-7,234,883
7,369,661-8,069,660

UNDERWOOD ELLIOTT FISHER COMPANY

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED: 545,616

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1,350,000-1,449,999
2,352,520-2,912,519
4,010,000-4,074,999
6,099,689-6,199,668

ROCK-OLA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED: 228,500

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1,662,250-1,763,519
4,532,100-4,632,099
6,071,189-6,099,668
6,199,684-6,219,668

QUALITY HARDWARE MACHINE CORPORATION

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED: 359,666

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1,550,000-1,562,519
1,562,520-1,662,519
1,675,040-1,907,519
1,907,520,1,937,519
4,432,100-4,532,099  Produced by Union Switch & Signal
4,632,100-4,879,525

NATIONAL POSTAL METER

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED: 413,017

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1,450,000-1,549,999
1,937,520-1,982,519
4,075,010-4,079,999
4,080,000-4,425,099
4,425,100-4,432,099

STANDARD PRODUCTS

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED: 247,100

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1,982,520-2,352,519

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
(IBM)

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED:346,500

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
3,651,520-4,099,999

SAGINAW STEERING GEAR
SAGINAW (MI) PLANT

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED: 517,212
NOTE: COMBINED PRODUCTION OF SAGINAW AND GRAND RAPIDS PLANTS

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
3,250,020-3,651,519
5,834,619-6,071,188

IRWIN-PENDERSON ARMS COMPANY

TOTAL NUMBER OF CARBINES: LESS THAN 4000

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
1,762,520-1,875,039
 SAGINAW STEERING GEAR DIVISION
(GRAND RAPIDS)

TOTAL CARBINES PRODUCED; SEE SAGINAW STEERING GEAR

SERIAL NUMBER RANGE
3,212,520-3,250,019

3,221,520-3,250,019:  BLOCK ASSIGNED TO SAGINAW

Credit :Duff, Canfield, Ruth.

Carbine Rebuild Markings

Anniston Arsenal: AN

Agusta Arsenal: AA

Benicia Arsenal: BA

Mt. Rainer Ordance Depot: MR

Ogden Arsenal: OG

Raritan Arsenal: RA

Red River Arsenal: RRA

Rock Island Armory: RIA [EB] or RIA [FK]

San Antonio Armory: C-SAA

Springfield Armory: S.A. or S.H.M
Standard Products STD, PROD, RWH
Underwood .U.