Original U.S. WWII Type M3A1 Grease Gun Display SMG with Live Barrel and Magazine

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a magnificent WWII Type "SUB-MACHINE GUN, CAL 45, M3A1" display gun, usually referred to as the M3 "Grease Gun" due to the resemblance. It is built from original USGI issue parts on an original BATF compliant non-firing display receiver, making this a 100% legal display Sub-Machine gun. This receiver was created by using portions of the original flame torch cut receiver, including the barrel bushing, combined with some new made steel portions. It has properly had a 25% section of the total length completely replaced entirely with solid steel bar stock. Meaning a 1/4 length section of the display receiver is solid steel, making this totally legal to own without a license of any kind within the USA.

Every part on this display gun is original WWII manufacture other than portion of the receiver replaced by solid steel (as required by BATF), as well as the rear half of the magazine well and underside portion of the trigger group, which were removed during demilitarization. In their place we custom fabricated the rest of the magazine well and other portions so that it would look correct for display, and used some other parts that were commercially available replicas, such as the magazine catch and trigger group cover. Additionally, it has had the original bolt welded into the forward position, as required. The barrel is original and has NOT been deactivated. It can still be removed easily from the front of the display gun, and it shows a mostly bright bore with clear lands and grooves, showing little to no wear.

As the rear magazine well was replaced, we unfortunately do not know who the manufacturer of the SMG was, nor whether it is WWII or post war. It is definitely the improved M3A1 variant, as it does not have the crank on the left side, and instead has the large thumb recess in the front of the bolt to cock the mechanism. It also has the safety catch on the ejection port cover in the correct rear position, and has the wire stock magazine loader and flat sided barrel nut that were added as part of the M3A1 changes. The display gun comes complete with an original magazine (high capacity restrictions will apply), a telescoping wire shoulder stock, and fixed peep sights. The stock even still moves back and forth, though you may need a rubber mallet to get it to move, and it cannot be fully moved forward.

In lovely condition, this is one of the best looking M3 grease guns that we have ever had, and definitely the first we have had in some time! Once plentiful on the market, these have become like hen's teeth! Ready to add to your collection!

Its steel stamped construction made this the must less costly successor to the Thompson and Rising sub-machine guns of WWII. It has an interesting safety mechanism that when the bolt is back and the ejector port cover is closed, a tab on the cover holds the bolt in the rear position, even when the trigger is actuated. One must open the ejector port cover in order for the bolt to move forward and fire. We haven't had, or even seen, a Grease Gun dummy gun in nearly 20 years, and we expect it could be another 20 years before we get another. Act now or be sorry later!

The M3 submachine gun, also known as Grease Gun, was developed as a cheaper war-time alternative to famous Thompson M1 and M1928 submachine guns. The basic requirements were set by US Ordnance Corps in February, 1941. George Hyde and Frederick Sampson, working together at Inland Division of general Motors Corp developed a prototype, which was designated the T20. The T-20 was a very simple weapon, made mostly from steel stampings. In November 1942 T20 was tested against several other prototypes, and was found superior to all other contestants. Late in 1942 the T20 was recommended for adoption, which followed in 1943. Combat use of a newly adopted M3 submachine gun showed some problematic points in design, most notably in the failing cocking mechanism. The problems were solved by elimination of this unit in 1944 when a further simplified weapon received the designation M3A1, and served with US Armed forces through the later part of WW2, Korean and Vietnam wars. M3A1 was issued to US tank crews all the way up until 1980s.

M3 submachine gun was a full-automatic blowback-operated firearm that fired from an open bolt. The receiver was made from steel stampings. M3 featured spring-loaded ejection port cover (which also acted as safety, locking the bolt when it is closed) and crank-type bolt retracting (cocking) handle at the right side of the receiver.

Characteristics include:
Caliber: .45ACP
Weight: 3.7 kg
Length (stock closed/open): 570 / 745 mm
Barrel length: 203 mm
Rate of fire: ca. 450 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Effective range: 50 meters