M1 WWII Collectibles

M1 is a common designation found when collecting WWII military items. Although I have no firm source most sources say M often refers to “Military” or “Model” and the 1 refers to “First” or the first model. In addition to those listed below some other common M1 WWII collectibles include the M1 pouch, M1 Winchester, M1 scabbards, and the M1 knife.

M1 Carbine

During the World War II a standard firearm of the US military was the M1 Carbine. This gun is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine and it was manufactured in an assortment of modifications. Whether for the civilians, the US or any other foreign military, the M1 carbine has been used by many of them.

Generally a carbine is a short version of a parent rifle. However, the M1 carbine has only a single part in common with the M1 rifle, a short butt plate screw. It even uses a different cartridge.

During World War II, this small carbine was perhaps not the best gun to use by the soldiers because of its reduced power. However, it was a good front line weapon because of its lightweight and small size.

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand was the first semi automatic rifle used during World War II as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In fact, during World War II, this rifle was declared as “the Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised.”

Although the US was the official user of this rifle, especially the army and the marine troops, the country also lent the M1 to many of its allies. Also, the civilians can now get their hands on the M1 Garand in the original .30 and .60 chambering and in a .308 Winchester as well.

M1 Bayonet

Before 1943, US army personnel were using the bayonets M1905 and M1942, however later on in 1943 the country decided that a shorter bayonet was probably more useful and hence came the M1 Bayonet which is about 10 inches long with the handle being 4 inches in length.

The US military forces used these shorter M1 Bayonets largely during the Second World War and the Korean War. Also many of the M1905 and M1942 were reissued with reduced blade lengths for their use in World War II.

M1 Helmet

Today many of the people would be acquainted with the PASGT helmet for the US military. However, initially the M1 helmet had been in use from the time of World War II in around 1942 till the beginning of 1985, giving it over 40 years of use.

The M1 helmet can rightly be called an icon of the US military and these have now become quite difficult to find by the military collectors. This helmet had the unique design of “one size fits all” and was also referred to as the “steel pot.”

There is plenty of M1 information on wikipedia.

Tags: Carbine, M1, WWII