One of the more difficult weapons to identify as USMC in provenance, the M1 Carbine faithfully served a broad genre of Marines from the steamy jungles of the South Pacific to the bitter cold of the Chosin Reservoir. Initially the Marine Corps would be allotted a disproportionate number of M1 Carbines, making many very early in manufacture. The Marine Corps would receive 333,370 Carbines in total during WWII, accounting for just over 5% of production.

The story of the M1 Carbine in Marine Corps service begins with the realization that the new weapon would not be ready in time fo the Guadalcanal campaign. In the interim, the Marine Corps would source other weapons to fill the intended role of the M1 Carbine. Extra M1911 pistols were made available by the Navy, and as M1911A1 production surged the Marines sought to acquire more. and In order to supplement existing Thompson submachine guns, the USMC would procure the Reising Model 50 submachine gun and its folding stock paratrooper variant, the Model 55. While fully automatic, the Reisings would perform very poorly during the Guadalcanal campaign.

Marines with Reising and Thompson Submachine Guns prior to the implementation of the M1 Carbine (USMC & NARA).

 

Early I-cut M1 Carbines, including one Winchester, during Marine Corps equipment trials in WWII. The M1 Carbine was well received during testing (NARA).

Documents detalailing M1 Carbine procurement by the Marine Corps in early 1943 (NARA).

Parachute Regiment Marines with the M1A1 Carbine, a folding stock variant issued for airborne operations (USMC).

After action reports from different battalions in the 2nd Marine Division detailing weapons performance at Tarawa (NARA).

Identifying USMC M1 Carbines

The Marine Corps would receive M1 Carbines from all manufacturers and they would be exactly the same as those issued to other services, making identification difficult and extremely rare. The only way to definitively identify an M1 Carbine as having served with the USMC is through the presence of documentation. Beyond this, the only attribute that can increase the likelihood of a given M1 Carbine being of USMC provenance is a modification to the rear sight. Marines in the South Pacific were keen to file their rear sights into a V to allow better target acquisition in the dense jungles and during the frequent nighttime Japanese banzai charge. There are solid examples of V-Cut M1 Garands, M1941 Johnson rifles and M1 Carbines documented to the Marine Corps. V-Cuts were not particularly common in M1 Garands, but quite a few M1941 Johnsons and M1 Carbines share this trait.It is important to note that the V-Cut was not strictly Marine however, as US Army soldiers would do this modification as well. That said, it has been observed on M1 Carbines with strong USMC provenance at a higher frequency and can increase the likelihood of Marine Corps service.

Rock-Ola M1 Carbine with EGA and double V cut rear sights. 

 

 USMC Contract M1 Carbine Magazine Pouches

 M1 Carbines often would have pouches that could contain an additional two magazines slid onto the buttstock. The Marine Corps would have contracts with S.F. Co and Boyt for these, which can be seen on the stocks of USMC Carbines in period photographs. S.F. Co pouches are typically dated 1943, while Boyt pouces are often 1944 or 1945.

S.F. Co. magazine pouch on First Sergeant Wilber Burgess’s M1 Carbine on Iwo Jima (NARA).

USMC M1 Carbine Bringbacks

Some M1 Carbines can be identified as having served with the Marine Corps if they have provenance as a being brought home by a serviceman. A good example of this is Inland M1 Carbine #34315. Manufactured very early in the first production run, #34315 is largely original and in fair condition with a copious amount of volcanic sand remaining in the stock, particularly behind the buttplate. Sold at auction last year with Captain Fleming’s narrative and a signed document identifying #34315 as the “rifle” he brought home with him, this M1 Carbine is an excellent time capsule to the Battle of Iwo Jima and a great example of a battlefield bring-back.

USMC M1 Carine #34315, brought home from Iwo Jima by B-29 Navigator Captain Mal Fleming. More about this Carbine and other Iwo Jima documented or brought home weapons can be here (Plowman collection).

A Marine infantry officer’s kit in 1944 & 1945

 

 Following the Saipan Campaign, the 4th Marine Division found the M1 Carbine to have performed poorly and recommended a reduction in the amount issued in exchange for M1 Garands (NARA).

Some of the most iconic images of Marines in World War II would include the M1 Carbine, as pictured here during the first flag raising on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima (NARA).

In 1944, the Ordnance Department would mandate an adjustable rear sight for the M1 Carbine, as well as a stronger upper band with more stock contact. The upper band would be improved further with the inclusion of a bayonet lug for the M4 Bayonet, and an improved switch style safety would help the operator differentiate from the magazine release.While there are photographs of these improvements on M1 Carbines in the European Theater, none so far have surfaced in the hands of Marines. Work order documents from the 2nd Marine Division show these updates having been completed by early 1946, after the war had ended.

Marine Corps test report of the improved safety dated January 4th, 1945 (USMC).

The very end of M1 Carbine production would feature the arrival of the fully automatic M2 Carbine. While relatively few M2 Carbines would be produced, the parts necessary to upgrade M1 Carbines to fully automatic would be distributed throughout the Marine Corps following World War II. By the time the Korean War began, the 1st Marine Division would report 75% of their M1 Carbines had been converted to fully automatic fire capable.

With most of their M1 Carbines converted to fully automatic, the 1st Marine Division would put them to good use in the Korean War. The waves of assaults employed by the Chinese at the battles like the Chosin Reservoir would make any weapon with automatic capability preferred. The .30 Carbine round would be deemed particularly poor in performance however, with Marine grunts attributing the many layers of cloths worn in the subzero temperatures as capable of diminishing “stopping power.” Whether this was factual or more of a myth is up for debate to the day, but the perception was enough to limit the M1 Carbine’s time in service. By the mid-1950s, the desire of the American military to have a one-size-fits-all rifle would lead to the development of the M14. The M1 Carbine would be phased out by the mid-1960s, and never would undergo the rebuild programs of that era that allow other weapons systems to be identified as having served with the Marines.

The 5th Marines in action in Korea, circa 1951-1952. Photos taken by regimental communications man Sergeant George Zurlinden Jr (Cook family collection).