Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. WWII M3A1 inert display submachine gun, officially the "SUB-MACHINE GUN, CAL 45, M3A1", but usually referred to as the "Grease Gun" due to the resemblance. It was assembled from original U.S. military components, including a Guide Lamp marked receiver section, original removable barrel, magazine, wire shoulder stock, and fixed peep sights. The surviving receiver is clearly serial numbered 629792 and retains the faint original M3 model designation markings.

The display gun is built from all 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 torch cut receiver, including the barrel bushing, combined with some new made steel portions. It has properly had a 4 inch long section of the total length completely replaced entirely with solid steel bar stock. Meaning a 1/3 length section of the display receiver is solid steel, making this totally legal to own without a license of any kind within the USA. It has been completely refinished with our gunmetal gray paint to simulate the original parkerized finish.

This wonderful condition Grease Gun was manufactured by the Guide Lamp Company and is complete with US ordnance "Crossed Cannons" markings on left side of magazine and serial number 629792. This eye catching example is nicely maker marked and shows the serial number clearly. It also still has the official designation marked faintly, often worn away, above the complete markings:

Every part on this display gun is original WWII manufacture other than 30% of the receiver replaced by solid steel (as required by BATF). 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 bright bore with clear lands and grooves. There is some wear and past oxidation, now removed, but the rifling is still strong.

As this display SMG is 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 that was added as part of the M3A1 changes. The barrel nut is an later version, with the cutouts in the side to use the stock as a barrel wrench. 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 WILL need a rubber mallet to get it to move.

With its Guide Lamp markings, serial number 629792, M3A1 pattern configuration, original removable barrel, magazine, wire stock, and substantial surviving U.S. military components, this is a strong WWII Grease Gun display piece. The receiver reconstruction, welded bolt, refinished exterior, missing flash hider, stiff stock, and original barrel condition are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a U.S. WWII infantry weapons, airborne equipment, submachine gun, or inert military display collection.

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. 

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. 

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.

The crank proved to be problematic in the field, so an updated M3A1 was released, which was cocked by using a large thumb inlet in the front of the bolt when the ejection port was open.

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