M1 Carbine with Shoulder Strap, USA 1941

Description of the Product The M1 carbine (officially United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) is a light semi-automatic rifle. This rifle was used by the US military throughout World War II, the Korean War, and even long into the Vietnam War. The M1 carbine was distributed primarily to commanders, signallers, gunners, paratroopers, and other front-line troops. The soldiers appreciated especially the lightness, ease of use and small size of the weapon. The M1 carbine was developed when a smaller and lighter weapon than the large and heavy M1 Garand or Thompson submachine gun was required for support troops, for whom it did not make sense to carry a large rifle with them. However the firepower, accuracy, and range was required to be better than could be achieved with pistols. Winchester developed the coveted light rifle, which was effective up to a distance of 100m, and the first weapons were brought to European war front in mid-1942. Although the M1 carbine was not designed as the actual main weapon for the infantry, the M1 carbine also ended up at the forefront as a conscious compromise. The weapon was lighter to use, the soldier was able to carry more light ammunition with him, and although the weapon's power was nowhere near a full-size rifle, it still defeated the Thompson submachine gun in penetrating power and accuracy. In the Pacific front against Japan, several battles were fought on tropical islands covered with dense jungle. The distances were often short, and in the dense vegetation a smaller weapon was easier to handle, which is why the M1 carbine was used in the “island hopping” campaign in which U.S. forces captured the  Pacific Islands conquered by the Japanese back to Allied forces one at a time. For the sake of clarity, it is good to know that the M1 carbine is not a smaller carbine version of the M1 Garand, although this could be inferred from the name. These are two completely different weapons, whose similar names are due to the naming practice of the U.S. military. The M1 carbine is the first carbine, the M2 carbine is the next version, the M3 carbine is the third, etc. The M1 Garand is the first version in the series of full size rifles. An amazing 6.1 million units of the M1 carbine was produced during World War II, more than any other weapon. In addition to Winchester, the gun was manufactured by many non-gun companies such as General Motors, IBM and even American jukebox manufacturers. After World War II, these weapons were distributed to US allies: South Korea, South Vietnam, France (used by the famous French Foreign Legion, among others), the British, Israel, the Philippines, and to Latin America. The M1 carbine is still used today as an official weapon by the military, police and / or security forces of many countries as well as being used as a hunting weapon by civilians. The M1 carbine originally had a 15-cartridge magazine, which is included, as is the shoulder strap. This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight. The mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be cocked and dry fired like a real one. The magazine is detachable. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods. Genuine wood and cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means. Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public. A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration. Length: 90 cm, of which the wooden stock is 72 cm. Weight: 2,14 kg Manufacturer: Denix, Spain Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-