Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic BATF compliant non-firing display M3A1 Grease Gun built using 50% of a dummy solid steel receiver along with genuine Issue parts, including the bolt and barrel This wonderful condition Grease Gun was manufactured by the Guide Lamp Company and is complete with US ordnance "Crossed Cannon" markings on left side of magazine and serial number US NO / 618454. This eye catching example is nicely maker marked and shows the serial number clearly.

This example is particularly interesting, in that it is in the M3A1 configuration, not the M3, which made up the vast majority of WWII production. In 1945, the Guide Lamp factory manufactured only 15,469 M3A1 submachine guns before production contracts were canceled with the end of the war. When the Korean war broke out, Ithaca Gun Company was given a contract for additional M3A1 grease guns, as well as additional parts for guns still in service. It was also decided that existing M3 guns in service would be converted to the improved M3A1 configuration using additional new production parts.

There are not any serial number records for M3 manufacture from the different makers, however we previously had serial number 108516 for sale, so this is almost certainly a gun that was converted during the Korean war. This mainly involved removing the cumbersome and delicate cocking mechanism, and installing a new bolt and larger ejection port, so that the bolt could be cocked using a large inlet in the front.

It is comprised of totally original issue parts with the exception of the ATF approved newly made solid steel dummy receiver. This is a ATF approved non-gun making it 100% legal for sale, trade and ownership within the USA. Comes complete with one modified 30 round magazine (high capacity restrictions will apply), a telescoping wire shoulder stock, and fixed peep sights. Barrel is live and unmolested, bolt is welded in the forward position per ATF guidelines. With great markings and fantastic condition, this is one of the best looking M3 grease guns that we have ever had!

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