Just about every military small arms enthusiast is familiar with the U.S. M3 and M3A1 submachine guns, better known by the nickname bestowed upon them by GIs during World War II, the “grease gun.”

The .45 caliber M3 was conceived as a less expensive alternative to the Thompson submachine gun, which at the time the U.S. entered World War II in 1941, the Thompson design was 20 years old. The M3 was patterned after the British Sten and German MP40 sub-machine guns, both constructed from sheet metal stampings—a far cry from the Thompson forged and machined receiver and parts. In addition to being less expensive, weapons stamped from sheet metal can be produced faster, an essential advantage in wartime.

Mk II

The Mk II was the most prolific model of the British Sten. The receiver was fabricated from pre-formed metal tubing. The German MP40 receiver was made from a flat piece of sheet metal that was rolled into a tube. The receiver of the U.S. M3 submachine gun was far more complicated to produce. The M3 receiver and most of its other parts were stamped from cold rolled sheet metal, requiring a factory equipped with a battery of large hydraulic stamping presses. The receiver was made of two separate stamped pieces that were then welded together. When production began, it was discovered that it was difficult to accurately weld the two receiver halves together. In addition, the heat from the gas welding process was warping the thin metal, and it took some time to perfect the process. During production, the time allotted for welding the two receiver halves together was 12.11 minutes. The M3 design had an advantage over other submachine guns of the day, with its ingenious guide rod-bolt system. The bolt of the M3 rode on two guide rods, never touching the inside of the receiver. The unique system made the M3 impervious from malfunctions caused by mud, sand or other debris, making it one of the few weapons to successfully pass all the Ordnance Department’s requirements.

The Guide Lamp Division of General Motors Corporation

The Guide Lamp production plant was located in Anderson, Indiana, and in 1943 it had over half a million square feet of production floor space in 18 separate buildings. The Guide Lamp Division of the General Motors Corporation was a peacetime manufacturer of automobile lamps, headlight buckets, hub-caps and bumper guards. Guide Lamp had a lot of expertise and experience in sheet metal stampings and was an excellent choice for the manufacturing of the M3. By May 1943, the first M3 submachine guns were finally rolling off the assembly lines at Guide. Production had fallen far behind projected figures by the unforeseen welding problems encountered with the receiver. However, by June 1944, 1,000 M3s were being manufactured every 24 hours.

The Guide Lamp contract price for the M3 was $17.92 per unit less the bolt assembly. The initial price was later amended to $18.36 per unit to cover the cost of minor production changes and the packing and shipping of the completed units. The M3 bolt assembly manufacture was subcontracted to the Buffalo Arms Company at a cost of $2.58 per piece.

The following quote is from the second summary of the tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground upon adoption of the M3 Submachine Gun. “Although it would be dangerous to state that further improvements and developments are unlikely, the ultimate has been reached in this type of weapon for the time being and production may begin without fear of immediate change.”

The above statement was premature, because as the M3 was pressed into service, problems began to arise. The M3 was not yet “GI Proof.”
One of the primary problems was with the cocking handle and its internal parts. A second problem was magazines were dropping out of the weapon, by the accidental pressing of the exposed magazine catch. Deterioration of the bolt face and barrel chamber was found to be caused by soldiers using the overly long wire butt stock as a cleaning rod. These problems and a few others would be addressed in an upgrade of the weapon.

M3E1 Submachine Guns

The M3 was thought to be as simple and reliable as possible; however; the Ordnance Department felt that the weapon could be simplified even further. Six pilot models were built, incorporating several recommended changes that were designated as the M3E1 submachine gun. Two of the completed weapons were sent to the Infantry Board at Fort Benning, Georgia, for informal testing, and two were demonstrated at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Since none of the changes incorporated in the M3E1 design had any adverse effect upon the reliability of the weapons’ functioning, no formal testing was undertaken by the Ordnance Department. Sufficient firing of the new weapons was conducted to satisfy concerned personnel as to the desirability of the changes incorporated. Some of the firing demonstrations were witnessed by representatives of the Army Ground Forces and by the director of the Infantry Board who expressed his approval of the M3E1.

The U.S. M3A1 Submachine Gun

The experimental M3E1 was recommended for adoption on November 2, 1944, by OCM 25593. On December 21, 1944, the M3E1 Sub-machine Gun was approved and officially adopted as: Submachine Gun, Caliber .45 M3A1, thus reclassifying the M3 as Limited Standard.

M3A1 Changes

• Ejection port increased in size
• Cocking handle assembly eliminated, fin-ger hole added to bolt for cocking
• Disassembly groove the length of the bolt
• Stronger cover spring
• Larger oil can located inside the grip
• Stop plate and magazine loader added to the stock
• Guard for the magazine catch

9mm M3 and M3A1 Submachine Guns

Among the original specifications desired in the T-20 (M3) submachine gun was a kit to change the caliber to 9mm. The conversion kits were originally planned for allied use in the European Theater; none were ever issued to U.S. troops. The 9mm cartridge was common in Europe during World War II. It was the standard pistol and submachine gun cartridge of both the British and the Germans. Ammunition would be easier to obtain by resistance groups that the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was planning to supply with the M3. The conversion kits could also make the M3 readily adaptable for use by the British especially when using a Sten magazine. The conversion kits consisted of a Bolt assembly C153425, Barrel Assembly C153435 and magazine Adapter C153430. In December 1943, the Ordnance Committee recommended that 500 of the 9mm conversion kits for the M3 be obtained as a limited procurement item. In February 1944, procurement was authorized. The parts were manufactured by the Rock Island Arsenal and Saginaw Steering Gear. The 32-round Sten magazines would be obtained from the British government.

In addition to M3 and M3A1 conversion kits, there were a small number of grease guns produced that were marked 9mm, in place of .45 caliber, on their magazine housings. Those observed were the same configuration as the .45 caliber model but fitted with Sten magazine adapters, 9mm bolts and barrels.

Curved Barrels

Due to its compact size, the M3 submachine gun was ideal for issue as a defensive weapon for armored vehicle crews. The weapons could be easily stored in the cramped space inside a tank. Tanks in the field were usually accompanied by infantry troops for protection from the enemy. Without infantry protection, the enemy could climb onto the tanks and drop grenades or spray machine gun fire into the inside of the hull, killing the trapped crews. To avert such situations, the Ordnance Department engineers came up with several curved barrel designs for the M3. The idea was the crew could extend the curved barrel out of the tank and spray enemy soldiers on their vehicle with fire, without exposing themselves. The issue of the curved barrels was limited. The Germans had also experimented with curved barrels for a number of their small arms.

The .30 Caliber T29 Submachine Gun

The German Sturmgewehr mid-range assault rifle was an entirely new concept in World War II. The weapon had the full-au-tomatic capability of the submachine gun but fired a more potent cartridge, giving the enemy far more range. After U.S. troops began to encounter the Sturmgewehr in the field, requests were made for a similar weapon. The most expedient method to get such a weapon to the troops was to modify an existing model. The M3A1 was chosen as the best candidate. The concept was given considerable study by the design section of the Guide Lamp Division of the General Motors Corporation, which was manufacturing the M3A1 submachine gun. There were three M3A1 submachine guns made, designated as the T29, chambered for the .30 caliber carbine round. The weapon was basically an M3A1 with a larger magazine well to accept carbine magazines, a modified bolt, a spring-loaded case ejector and a 14-inch long barrel. Initial testing revealed more development would be required. Development efforts of the T29 ceased with the adoption of the select-fire caliber .30 M2 carbine.

The Suppressed M3

The U.S. Ordnance department developed a special interest in suppressed or silenced weapons after learning of the British Special Operations Executive (also known as the SOE) commandos’ successful use of their silenced Sten Mark II S model. The weapon proved to be an invaluable asset for special operations where surprise and concealment were paramount to a successful mission. The SOE was the British counterpart of the United States’ OSS organization.

It was held that the U.S. M3 submachine gun would be ideally suited for adaptation of a suppressor because of its inherently subsonic .45 ACP cartridge.

The M3 suppressor research was conducted at the Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Georgia. There was an interest in supplying Army Rang-ers and other troops with a silenced weapon for special assignments. The earliest silencers were based on the Hiram Maxim baffle system. These proved to be heavy and cumbersome. None of the Fort Benning designs went past the prototype stage, and the project was canceled.

The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was established in June 1942. The OSS organization was engaged in various types of covert and unconventional activities during World War II. The OSS had requested from the Army Ord-nance Department suppressed submachine guns for their special mission and operational needs. By late 1943, the OSS was directly supporting resistance groups in Europe and the South Pacific. The U.S. Ordnance Department contracted Bell Laboratories to develop a new suppressor for the M3 submachine gun. Guide Lamp was subcontracted to manufacture drilled barrels and special barrel nuts for the project. The High Standard Company was engaged to produce the components and assemble the unit. The contract called for 1,000 suppressor units to be built. The barrels made by Guide were identical to the standard production barrels except the face of the barrel nut was machined to form a seat for the expansion chamber. The barrel was also a standard item modified by drilling 48 one-quarter-inch diameter holes, arranged in a straight-line pattern of 12 on each quarter section of the length of the barrel. The muzzle end of the barrel was threaded for a length of one-half of an inch to enable the front end of the suppressor can to screw onto it.

The suppressor itself consisted of two sleeves. The rear sleeve is the expansion chamber. It is 7.5 inches long and 1.5 inches in diameter. The front sleeve is the silencer housing and is 7 inches long and 1.125 inches in diameter. The expansion chamber is connected to the silencer housing by a metal connector. External threads on the front portion of the unit were screwed into the connector. The connector was screwed on the muzzle of the barrel and holds the rear part of the suppressor in place by seating on the modified barrel nut. The rear expansion chamber contained a coil of stainless steel mesh. The front section of the suppressor housings contained approximately 230 steel mesh discs. An end cap secured the discs in place. As the bullet travels down the barrel some of the propellant gases escape through the 48 holes drilled into the sides of the barrel.

The total of submachine guns manufactured from 1943 to 1945 by Guide Lamp was 606,694 M3 models and 82,281 M3A1 models, for a combined total of 688,975 weapons. The entire World War II production of the M3 and the M3A1 would total only a little more than one-third of the Thompsons produced during the war.

During the Korean War, the Ithaca Gun Company was contracted through the Roch-ester, New York Ordnance District to fabricate 70,000 new M3A1 submachine guns. The manufacturing was authorized under contract number DA 19-058-ORD-7894. Preparation for the manufacturing would be assisted by the data package documented by Guide Lamp during its manufacture of the weapon.
Delays in getting production started resulted in the Ithaca M3A1s being manufactured in 1955–1956 after the war in Korea had ended. The contract was canceled after 33,227 guns were manufactured; primarily due to the Korean conflict ending and the anticipated adoption of the M14 rifle.

The Colonel Hamilton M3 Submachine Gun

Sometime in the post-World War II era, an experimental weapon was constructed by a Lt Colonel Hamilton while he was stationed in Panama. An obvious attempt was to modernize a M3 submachine gun. The front part of an M3 was welded to a steel frame with a removable side plate, secured with machine screws to remove the bolt assembly. Other upgrades include: a wooden buttstock, fore-grip and pistol grip, side cocking handle, adjustable flip-up rear sight and a perforated barrel jacket. The overall length is 30 inches, barrel length is 8-inches, and the weight is 11 pounds. The weapon was procured by the Rock Island Arsenal Museum in 1948 and is currently on display there.

Rare M3A1 Magazines

During World War II, M3 magazines were made by Sparks-Withington (SPW) and Kesler Brass (KL). The magazines made by those companies are still common even today. During subsequent conflicts, in Korea and Vietnam, there were small production runs of magazines for the M3 and M3A1 submachine guns.

In addition to M3A1 submachine guns, Ithaca also made a small number of magazines for the M3A1, marked with a new drawing number C565427 and “ITG.”

Magazines were also produced during the Vietnam conflict by Jahn Manufacturing. These were marked with a letter “J” and drawing number C-565427. OKAY Industries purchased Jahn Manufacturing around 1970.

The Adoption of the U.S. M14 Rifle

Substitute Standard after the adoption of the M14 rifle, which (in theory) was replacing the M1 rifle, the carbine and the submachine gun. M3A1 submachine guns continued to be issued to Army Reserve armored units as late as 1999. Modern mid-range assault rifles like the M16 and M4 have rendered the military use of the submachine gun obsolete.

Vickers Guide: WWII Germany Vol I

• ISBN 978-0-9965032-3-5
• vickersguide.com
• 360 pages
• 13”x11” (approx.)
• Mott Lake Publishing
• P O Box 158294 Nashville, TN 37215
• mottlake.com

Vickers Guide: AK Kalashnikov Vol I

• ISBN 978-0-9965032-4-2
• vickersguide.com
• 360 pages
• 13”x11” (approx.)
• Mott Lake Publishing
• P O Box 158294 Nashville, TN 37215
• mottlake.com

As a lover of fine military books, I was immediately impressed by these wonderful books. They are everything that a premium quality, collector-grade coffee table book should be, without the “fluff.” Often, a book with great photos lacks technical expertise, simply relying on the photos to carry it. This most certainly is not the case with the Vickers Guide series. Author Larry Vickers definitely knows his stuff, as the list of his military and civilian awards and certifications attest.

Currently, there are five titles in the Vickers Guide series. In order of release, these are: 1911; AR-15, Vol. I; AR-15, Vol. II; WWII Germany, Vol. I; and AK Kalashnikov, Vol. I. This review will cover the two most recent titles.

Each title is available in three different versions or editions, these being the Standard, Signature and Limited Editions. The Signature Edition is hand-signed by Larry Vickers. The Limited Edition of each title is also hand-signed by Vickers, along with a personal handwritten message of your choosing. This numbered series is limited to 250 books (a mere 100 copies for the 1911 title).

Unfortunately, the vickersguide.com website now shows that all three versions of the AR-15 Vol. I are sold out. However, it also mentions the 1911 Standard Edition has been reprinted, so perhaps the AR book will be also.

These are large format books, measuring 13 inches wide, by 11 inches tall. And many of the photographs span across two pages, so the image is 26inx11in. The books are printed on premium quality paper, so the photos really pop. Each page feels a bit heavier than a typical page from other books. A nice touch is a ribbon page marker that is sewn into the binding. Not a huge deal, but it does add another touch of refinement to an already fine work.

Speaking of photography, the images featured are stunning. Photographer James Ripley has created a series of beautiful photos. The photos are studio quality images, more like high-end product photography than the usual distant, hard-to-make-out action shots in many books. Each photo is taken against a white background and is properly lit to avoid glare to bring out the finest details. Additional photography of mainly uniforms and other militaria was supplied by Jeff Demers for the WWII Germany Vol. I book.

Naturally, quality of this level does not come cheap. Starting at $95 for the Standard Edition (Signature Edition is $125, and the Limited Edition is $200), this is a big purchase for many people. However, books of this quality level do tend to increase in value once they are out of print. A quick browse on Amazon for other books of similar quality confirms this. Perhaps, if someone is having difficulty finding a suitable gift for you, a fine book is in order.

WWII Germany, Vol. I examines handguns, submachine guns, the K98k infantry rifle and sniper rifles. (The soon to be released Vol. II will cover semiauto rifles, select-fire rifles, belt-fed machine guns and “Last Ditch” weapons.)

The book begins with a sombre dedication to those lives lost due to WWII and the evil of the Third Reich. Vickers and Rupley want to be perfectly clear that displaying firearms and other historic militaria containing Swastikas and Nazi eagles does NOT imply any sort of support for such an evil regime.

The P08 Luger leads the collection of arms featured. Several fine specimens are displayed, representing different manufacturers, branches of service, grip types, etc., and then the P38, followed by foreign pistols put into German service.

Machine pistols and submachine guns pro-file some of the early attempts to create a practical SMG, culminating with the iconic MP38 and MP40 designs. The Soviet PPSh-41 is also discussed, due to so many being captured and put into German service.

The section on bolt-action rifles opens with a .22 rimfire training rifle, along with an article by guest author Robert Simpson explaining how the German military pulled a fast one on international inspectors. At the end of the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles put limits in place to prevent Germany from re-arming. By making “commercial sporting target” rifles, Germany was able to rebuild her arms industry and offer marksmanship training to huge numbers of men prior to WWII.
The K98k infantry rifle is studied in detail, comparing specimens from pre-war, early-war and late-war. Ian McCollum, of Forgotten Weapons fame, wrote a detailed essay on this subject. He contributed several articles, including a piece about waffenamts and proof marks.

Sniper rifles based upon the K98k are given a separate section. Also included is a look at Soviet sniper rifles. As with the PPSh-41 mentioned above, the rationale is that so many rifles were captured and used, it is valid to include the Mosin-Nagant as German equipment.

AK Kalashnikov Vol. I deals exclusively with the 7.62×39 caliber AK rifles, so we can probably expect a second volume on 5.45×39 in the future. In this first volume, the AK series is covered, from the earliest AK-47, up to the modern AK-203 and AK-15 variants. (It is worth noting that guest author, N.R. Jenzen-Jones, Director at Armament Research Services, points out that the name AK-47 actually only applies to the early “trials” guns, prototypes that took part in the selection process. The production service rifles are correctly named “AK” only, followed by the “AKM.”)

Speaking of the true AK-47 trials guns, the authors were given access to two early trials guns; one fixed stock and one underfolder. Again, Rupley was able to use his masterful photography skills to capture details of these rare items. Also featured is a gun presented to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
Several guest authors contributed articles on specific subjects. Ian McCollum wrote a piece on the progression of the Type 1, 2 and 3 receiver differences. He also contributed an article comparing and contrasting the German Sturmgewehr to the AK design. Maxim Popen-ker, founder of worldguns.ru wrote about the influence German designers may or may not have had on the AK. (He believes the German influence was minimal.) Rob Stott, publisher of the AK-47 Catalog Volume I, covered Type 2 production, as well as Chinese factory codes.

After covering the USSR and Russian models, the many foreign-produced variants are examined. Countries covered include Albania, Bulgaria, China, DDR (East Germany), Egypt, Hungary, Iraq, North Korea, Pakistan (Khyber Pass knock-offs), Poland, Romania, Vietnam and former Yugoslavia. There are many small but significant differences in these various models, detailed both in text and photos.

Several pages are given to cover the many variants of magazines fielded over the years, both Soviet and foreign. Guest author Brandon LeLeux wrote a three-page history of AK mags, describing steel, aluminum and polymer types, followed by five pages of comparison photos.

Based on the two titles I have seen, I predict great success for this series. And I hope the authors continue to add more books. Using the same format for WWII-era U.S., British Commonwealth and Soviet arms would make an amazing collection.

During WWII, the Gewehr 43 (G43) was the German answer to American M1 Garands and Soviet SVT-40s. Along with parts and accessories, the rifle is highly collectible today. SARCO Inc. (Steen Armament Research Company) offers functional reproduction magazines for replacement or to save wear and tear on originals. The company, located in Easton, Pennsylvania, is one of the largest dealers in surplus war materiel in the U.S. The business collaborates with military arms collectors, shooters and military history re-enactors. This article compares a reproduction to an original “gcb” magazine. SARCO’s magazine’s dimensions closely match, and it functions without problems on an AC44 rifle. The markings are close but different enough for collectors to distinguish. However, the magazine catch area has thin metal in one area.

Physical Construction

The magazine body is dimensionally similar to the original. Despite sharper corners, one can still easily insert and eject the magazine. While feed lips are shifted slightly forward, they fed ammunition without pause.

Externally at the front, the two rivets are solid on the original, while hollow on the reproduction. At the bottom and sides, floorplate lips and over-insertion stops are similar to the original. At the rear, magazine catch differs notably. Two sides of the sheet metal body are folded together to form the spline. This is also where the catch is formed. The reproduction has a notch cut into the inside piece of sheet metal, and the outside piece is seemingly stamped to form the “V” shape. Consequently, there is precious little metal at the apex while magazine internals are exposed to the outside. The original does not feature this opening, and the author could not verify metal thickness at its apex. The SARCO representative reassured that the company has never had issues regarding this construction and has no history of returns.

Internally, the follower is of the same stamped metal construction as the original. While the stamped bits used to hold the magazine spring is shallower and smaller on the reproduction, there was no functional issue. At the follower tail, the original is fully welded and smooth whereas one can see the splits on the reproduction. Recoil spring is of similar gauge and length, with the same number of wind-ings. The reproduction floor plate is the two-ribbed type, with cuts in the same place, and is interchangeable with the original.

Markings

The reproduction’s markings are mostly correct but are different enough to allay fears of contaminating genuine pieces. The markings are shallower and lack tell-tale signs of stamping usually observed in originals.

The manufacturer code “gcb” denotes Ad. “Grohmann & Sohn in Würbenthal Sudetenland” is mirrored across both magazines in the same place. However, the original is marked only “K43” while reproduction is marked “G43/K43” in the same place. The original magazine also featured both “WaA892” Waffenamt on the bottom in line with the other markings, while the reproduction magazine placed one just under the front over-insertion stop. Lastly, the original Waffenamt has the alpha-numeric arranged in a slight curve under the Nazi eagle while the reproduction has them straight.

Function and Conclusion

SARCO’s reproduction magazine functions without hic-cups in the test rifle, a Walther 1944 manufacture (AC44). It locks into place with no undue wobble and removes cleanly with the magazine release depressed. Using Yugo-slav surplus 198-grain ammunition, it feeds reliably from the first to the last round. These reproductions represent viable, functional replacements while marked closely enough for passing inspection—the clear differences prevent pollution.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

SARCO Inc. e-sarcoinc.com

A second “brother” printed colored postcard of an artist-drawn war scene taking place in the South African Boer War painted and signed by E. Storm in 1903. This scene seems to be at sunset with the notation of “Drink Maxim Ale” as part of the setting sun.

World War I-era sweetheart or veteran’s lapel pin in the shape of a guidon with the Army machine gun colors of red and blue enamel. Trimmed in brass, the top half of the guidon has the number “1,” and the bottom half of the guidon in blue has “M.G.B.” (1st Machine Gun Battalion). Pin back.

No. 2 Battery Sudan Motor Machine Gun Corps (circa 1935-1945) sun helmet badge. (Arabic name: Kingi Batteria Ottomobilat Madaf a El Makina). Blackened bronze badge of winged wheel with crossed Vickers to the center. Two lugs to the rear. Attached to a diamond-shaped, dark blue, Melton felt baking that was worn on the side of the sun helmet.

First Day coin cover for the Centenary of the First World War from Gibraltar, denoting weaponry—specifically machine guns. The 8-block, 22-pence stamps, canceled on the first day of issue of February 18, 2015, depict a Vickers machine gun in an anti-aircraft pose. The main image on the card is of a Lewis gunner in an anti-aircraft pose. The 50-pence commemorative coin (attached in plastic) shows on the obverse a Lewis gunner firing over sandbags and a Hotchkiss gunner with a belt of machine gun cartridges running edge-to-edge in the center. Prominent to the face of the coin is a line from the poem, “Arms and the Boy” by Wilfred Owen, written in 1917, stating, “Blue with all Malice like a Madman’s Flash.” The coin is a 24-carat gold-plated steel Crown from Jersey. The reverse has an image of Elizabeth II. The coin measures 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Interwar Latvian brass tank or armored car machine gunner’s proficiency badge circa 1919–1926. Crossed Vick-ers on tank that is on a spoked tire. Two-piece screw construction. Screw back. Spinner marked: “Arm. Ekonom. Veikals, Rīgā.”

Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps Machine Gun Section cap, collar and shoulder title. The cap and collar badges are blackened bronze, showing tea leaves with “M” and “G” to each side with a three-part Latin motto below the letters: “Salus Unitas Nostra” (“Our Safety Unit”); and a single banner below that reads, “Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps.” Both the cap and collars have two lugs to the rear. The brass shoulder title simply reads, “M.G.” over “CPRC” (Machine Gun Section Ceylon Planter Rifle Corps). The unit was raised in 1901 as a volunteer (reserve) regiment of the Ceylon Defence Force based in Kandy, and it existed until 1949. The regiment was made up of Europeans that were tea and rubber planters in the hills of Sri Lanka. The regiment deployed personnel to fight in the Second Boer War, World War I and World War II.

The Wilkinson Arms’ Linda pistol and Terry carbine were an excellent example of early 1980s engineering genius. I first read about the Linda pistol at a public library in 1990, when I was 16. Looking at a recent Gun Digest and comparing various weapons, I was fascinated by Linda. Having no firearms of my own at the time and a minimal familiarity with them in general, I was drawn to it by the clean forms and high-magazine capacity. Holding 31 rounds, the Linda pistol was one of the clear winners in my mind. That, along with its distinctive appearance and memorable model designation, implanted the name of that gun in my memory. Discovering that Linda was back in production as a carbine was like having a chance to meet a once-famous musician.

Some History

Designed during the 1960s by Ray Wilkinson of J&R Engineering, the guns were originally designated M68 and M80. They were produced with law enforcement use in mind. Later, once J&R was closed and re-incorporated as Wilkinson Arms, the family of 9mm and rimfire pistols and carbines also became a family in model designations, named after Ray’s wife and daughters. The design then passed to Northwest Arms, and production ran through 2005. For a while, the Linda pistol and Terry carbine were relegated to “A-Team” re-runs on late night TV. Fortunately, in 2015, Wilkinson Arms was bought and revived by a shooting enthusiast named Patrick McFarland, who acquired the remainder of the unused Linda parts and went about setting up renewed production.

Linda as a Carbine

As soon as possible, I got my hands on the carbine version of the Linda pistol. Fitted with a simple tubular buttsock and a 1/2×28 threaded 16-inch barrel, it was an improvement over the one of my teenage dreams. Several details also improved upon the original configuration, including the addition of a Weaver rail on top of the receiver. The new Linda’s overall length with fixed stock is 31.5 inches (underfolding AKMS or collapsible M4 stocks also available) with an unloaded weight of 6.1 pounds. The tubular receiver houses the enveloping bolt concept originated with the Czech Sa. 23 and the Israeli Uzi. Even more efficient than those already compact designs, Linda uses a bolt almost entirely encircling the barrel, with just enough behind the chamber to load the next cartridge. Unlike the submachine guns which use small diameter recoil springs on guides behind the bolt, Linda uses a larger single spring wrapped around the bolt in front of the chamber. At rest when in battery, this spring stretches on firing and returns the bolt into its original position by compression, making the mechanism even shorter. Like the Sa. 23 and the Uzi, Linda uses a barrel nut; unlike them, Linda has a second nut behind the first to retain the bolt. Although, like those two submachine guns, Linda feeds through the grip—Wilkinson improved the grip angle considerably. Using a double-stack, single-feed magazine, it provides a very natural forward-leaning grip instead of the straight (Uzi) or backward-raked (Sa. 23). 

Because of U.S. government regulations, Linda shoots semiautomatically from the closed bolt, requiring a slightly heavier bolt than its automatic competitors. The closed-bolt mechanism reduces ventilation between bursts of rapid fire but yields superior accuracy and improved dust sealing of the chamber. Firing is by hammer and firing pin, with the trigger feeling lighter than its 6.5 pounds of pull thanks to the smooth wide face. Cross-bolt safety stands out by feel, so its state can be ascertained without looking. The overhanging receiver sides fence it from accidental interference in both ON (right) and OFF (left) positions. Since the extra-wide ejection port exposes the back of the receiver behind the bolt to outside dust, Linda uses an M16-like hinged cover.

Take-down is simple but requires tools. Use a 5/32-inch Allen key to remove two screws holding the grip to the receiver and also the set screw locking the shroud to the barrel. A 3/16-inch Allen key is needed to unscrew the charging handle. Unscrewing the barrel nut releases it along with the attached ventilated shroud. Using any flat object for a wrench helps unscrew the second nut retaining the bolt, which comes forward with the attached spring. That’s the full extent of field-stripping the carbine for cleaning. Reassembly is pretty straightforward, but care must be taken to align the locating pin at the base of the barrel with the corresponding open

The signature 31-shot magazine looks like most pistol mags, with the addition of over-insertion tabs. Loading is surprisingly easy for the capacity, with no mechanical loader required. The magazine doesn’t drop free, full or empty. This helps retention but harms reloading speed. The magazine is compatible with 59 and 5900 series Smith & Wesson pistols, so 15-, 17- and 20-round options are also available. Linda lacks any kind of bolt hold-open device, manual or automatic, so an empty magazine or a misfire feels alike.

The iron sights are a throwback to the 1980s. Both front post and rear aperture are fixed for elevation and windage, so matching the point of impact is a matter of luck. They can be bent into regulation, but that’s a pretty crude method. Fortunately, the updated Linda comes with a Weaver rail. Some Picatinny mount optics fit, like the Primary Arms red dot the author mounted; others, like Magpul sling eyelet, do not. The crude iron sights are removable, but finding Weaver-compatible iron sights can be a challenge, and the sight radius is quite limited for a carbine anyway. The problem is less the separation of the sights and more the placement of the front sight way too close for most people to focus. The left-side charging handle reciprocates safely away from the hands, but its knob position has to be considered when mounting optics to avoid hitting knuckles against the sight. With many optic mounts, the optional extended charging handle available from Wilkinson Arms is essential.

Ergonomics are good for action shooting, awkward for prone. The carbine is well-balanced, especially with a full magazine and an optic attached. The balance is very slightly to the front of the pistol grip but is placed behind the support hand on the re-designed wooden forend. The forend is made of nicely finished wood, but the stylishly pointed edges not present in the old Linda pistol reduce handling comfort. It is similarly nice looking, but hard-polished wood is used for the stock buttpad. A layer of soft rubber would have been a welcome addition. The metal tube which is the buttstock could use neoprene insulation for comfort. The angle of drop is considerable, yet the carbine comes to the shoulder naturally, and the eye lines up well with the sights in standing, kneeling and squatting positions. For people who crowd the rear sight and so end up with a higher head position, a slightly raised red dot works better. Prone shooting is nearly impossible because the angle of the stock drop puts the sights well above eye level for a natural shooter pose, especially if optics are used.

Test Firing

Typical for blowback designs in tubular receivers, Linda has some blowback from the ejection post. Use of a linear compensator or muzzle brake increases it slightly; the use of a sound suppressor increases it a lot. The reduction in muzzle blast is partially offset by the ejection port pop, but the overall noise level is still milder.

The most important feature of any weapon is reliability, and Linda carbine shines there; only one malfunction out of about 750 rounds of ammunition ranging from 50-grain Liberty hypervelocity alloy bullets to Seismic 185-grain subsonics. Accuracy was also respectable, amply adequate to keep all hits on the A zone of a silhouette target at 100 yards. With 9mm Luger being, at most, a 150-yard cartridge, this seems sufficient. The author did the first round of testing with a Hi-Lux 4MOA Tac-Dot, a very excellent little optic with a front-facing auto exposure cell that adjusts the reticle brightness to match target illumination. Rather than mount a magnified scope to wring the smallest groups out of the carbine, I wanted to see what realistic results can be expected in a typical fighting configuration. Due to strong wind on the day of the range trip, all of my groups were wider than they were tall, with the vertical component being more an accurate representation of the actual bullet dispersion.

For varmint use, the frangible lightweights would be superior, but for everyday plinking and target shooting the least expensive, most common 115-grain load proved the most accurate. Felt recoil is fairly low, to the point where drop stock didn’t affect follow-up shots. Lighter weight bullets produced noticeably less push, which is a further argument in their favor for rapid fire. 

With both red dots, I have an impression that I was wasting some of the accuracy potential. So the red dot came off, and the illuminated 1-4x Trijicon AccuPoint went up on the Weaver rail. Low rings kept the height over the bore to a minimum, while 4x top magnification enabled more precise aiming. Unmagnified, the scope worked like an improved red dot, with vertical and horizontal references to guard against accidental cant and with MRAD hash marks to enable accurate rangefinding.The best ammunition this time was Remington 124-grain Golden Sabre, at ¾-inch at 60 yards, or 1.25MOA. Groups fired with Fiocchi 115 grain did not change, which suggests the red dot was not the limiting factor. What did improve with the magnified optic was the ability to center the group on the desired point of impact. The speed of target acquisitions at 1x magnification did not change from the red dot.

Despite its distinctly dated look, Linda carbine turned out to be comfortable and ergonomic for everything but the prone position. Compared to straight stock modern PCCs, it rises a little more on recoil, but not enough to make a strong difference. A muzzle brake would reduce that difference. The less hunched-over position afforded by the drop stock design permits better awareness of the environment. 

50-YARD TEST FIRING

Speer Lawman: 147gr FMJ 1.4in -1060fps

Inceptor RNP: 65gr polymer 1.3in – 1715fps

Liberty alloy: 50gr HP 2.15in – 2550fps

Fiocchi: 115gr FMJ 1.15in – 1320fps

Seismic: 185gr 5.5in – 1010fps

In 2018, the author mailed in his paperwork (a separate packet than the one used for rifles) and was given a randomly generated number in the low 3,000s. CMP called those numbers sequentially, and the buyer was given a choice of Service or Field Grade based on availability at the time. The author was contacted around middle of March 2019 and purchased a Service Grade pistol. It was delivered inside a large protective case marked with “CMP” on the outside and included a certificate of authenticity. The pistol is in excellent shape with little finish wear on the frame rails and no gas cutting of the breech face. 

Frame 

The frame was manufactured by Remington Rand (RR) in 1945, and most of the frame parts seem consistent. In front of the serial number, “NO.” instead of “Nº”is consistent with a late war RR. Proof mark “P” is behind the magazine release. “FJA” represents the inspection initials for Frank J. Atwood and is found on RR and Ithaca guns. The main spring housing has seven ribs which mark it as a late-war Ithaca part, while an RR part has eight ribs. Smooth contouring of the thumb safety matches another identifying point for RR. The trigger is a rounded, stamped and parkerized affair. The type 3 magazine release features a slot screw head. As expected, the slide stop and safety are serrated and not checkered. 

Grips with reinforcement rings were manufactured by Keyes as denoted by the star with a “K;” however, only the right stock has a part number denoting Korean War-era replacement. It is possible that the left is an original part with the right replaced when damaged. On the right of the frame, in front of the slide stop, one can find “A 8 80” under “M1911 A1 U.S. ARMY.” That marking is not parallel to the original serial number and seems deeper. This author can only guess this was the date for the rebuild; although “A” does not denote any familiar arsenal. 

Slide and Barrel 

Both slide and barrel are post-WWII GI replacement items. The left side of slide has drawing number “7790314” in large font, and the right side has “53397” which is the Cage Code for NUMAX ELECTRONICS INC in New York City. Since this is a post-war product, it is fully heat treated. Author has yet to learn the significance of “M” marked atop the slide, between ejection port and rear sight. When viewed from the top, the machining in front of the leaf is radiused and is the type used by Colt and US&S which was eventually adopted by all contractors; the original RR pattern had straight cuts. The front sight measures 0.08-inch wide, but the top was slightly peened, perhaps from rough handling. 

The barrel has a caliber and drawing number visible through the ejection port. At the bottom near the barrel link, one can find “73677” for DUROYD MFG CO INC on the right, and “M” “P” marked on the left. Rifling, crown and lugs are in excellent condition with minimal wear. The recoil spring guide is the late type with rounded legs, while the plug paradoxically was not punched to retain the spring. That makes the plug either an early production run example or a commercial one sourced outside government supply. The barrel bushing is unmarked. When in battery, the pistol rattles little with the barrel-to-bushing fit not excessively tight or loose. 

Shooting and Final Thoughts 

No malfunctions were experienced during a short range trip. The safety engaged and disengaged with authority and assurance. The trigger measured about 5.5 pounds. and featured a notable amount of creep. The trigger face fell at the middle phalanges, whereas the wider-gripped Beretta M9 fell at the joint between middle and distal phalanges. This author is very happy to add a genuine piece of Americana to his collection and looks forward to retelling its rich history to future generations. 

Once the creator of one of the first mass-produced light machine guns, Denmark had slept through the dawn of the submachine gun era.

While Denmark’s neighbours busily experimented with the new type of weapon in the 1930s, at first nothing happened in the country of the machine gun. The Dansk Rekyl Riffel Syndikat (DRS), which was founded in Copenhagen before World War I, continued with machine gun production. The Model 1903 and its successors sold well, and the brand name “Madsen” had already established itself into far countries. The officer, inventor and Minister of War Vilhelm Her-man Oluf Madsen had been the driving force behind the development, and in his honor the weapons bore his name.

When the Wehrmacht invaded Denmark in April 1940, there were only a few foreign submachine guns in use by the Danish Army. Negotiations with the Finnish arms factory, Oy Tikkakoski Ab, on a licensed production of the Konepistooli M31 (Suomi) were in progress but could not be finished before the German occupation. At the end of 1940, the company, now renamed Dansk Industri Syndikat A/S (DISA), began production of the Finnish submachine gun with a slightly modified stock and protected front sight as the M/41 under German control. The approximately 1,400 weapons produced were first used in Danish units and taken over by the Germans after the disarmament in October 1943. At DISA, each weapon model and each variant received its own P (project) number, even if only some mark-ings were different. For example, the P.5 was the version for Portugal, to which the weapon was offered in 1943.

Otherwise, not much happened in the course of the war. The development of their own submachine gun was going on slow. By the time P.13 was finally finished as the “Model 1945,” the war was over, and the design was already obsolete. An interesting feature: the bolt was attached to a slide which extended over the barrel and also covered the recoil spring. For cocking, the slide was pulled back until the bolt was locked by the sear—just like a conventional blowback pistol. This slide moves back and forth with each shot. This circumstance, and the elaborate milled parts, a solid wooden stock and a complicated interior were no longer up-to-date. The installation of a folding stock did not help either. Only Mexico and El Salvador bought a few pieces.

At the same time, however, a further development had been worked on, and it was to become a major commercial success for DISA: an uncomplicated, modern submachine gun with a sheet metal receiver, folding stock and a simple but effective safety.

The work on project P.16 would be completed by the end of 1946. The production-ready weapon was called “Model 1946” (M-46) and was sold under the brand name “Madsen.” The first weapons were sold to the Danish police. Thanks to a cost-effective production, inquiries soon came from South America and Asia. El Salvador, Paraguay and Thailand were among the first foreign customers.

The weapon is an unusual design, consisting of two receiver halves, each of them pressed from one piece of sheet metal including the grip piece and magazine well. They are held together at the back by the hinges of the side-folding wire stock and at the front by the barrel nut. The cocking handle is a bracket-shaped slider that rides along on top of the receiver. Disassembly of the M-46 is very easy: one must unscrew the barrel nut, pull out the barrel, remove the cocking slider and then open the left side of the receiver, almost like a book. All internal parts such as bolt, recoil spring and buffer will remain in the right receiver half and can be easily removed. No tools are needed, and there are no connecting pins that can get lost. Weapon cleaning has never been easier, as there are no inaccessible places.

On the other hand, the operating principle is not very innovative. The Model 1946 is a conventional blowback design firing from the open bolt. The cocking slider can be operated from both sides due to its position on top of the receiver. It moves forth and back with every round fired. The weapon is fed by a stick magazine with 32 rounds (9x19mm). The small magazine loader is practically stored inside the hollow grip together with a spare extractor and a second firing pin.

The safety mechanism is extraordinary: the bolt can be locked in the open or closed position by means of a manual safety switch located on the left side of the receiver right above the trigger. And then there is an additional automatic safety in form of a lever just behind the magazine well. To fire the weapon, one must grasp the magazine and this lever securely with the non-firing hand to release the bolt. Otherwise, the lever protrudes into the receiver and blocks the way of the bolt. This kind of safety is highly unusual in submachine guns. Only a few weapons, such as the Italian TZ-45 from World War II, have almost identical safeties. Most commonly the designers rely on a grip-safety located in the grip piece. The lever behind the magazine well has one big disadvantage: the weapon cannot be fired with one hand. In case of injury or if only one hand is free, the shooter has an unsolvable problem.

In the following years, DISA did a slight revision of its submachine gun, resulting in the P.56. The main improvement was the new cocking handle. It got the shape of a button, was firmly attached to the bolt, and there was no need to remove it before disassembling the weapon.

On November 7, 1950, the submachine gun was presented as “Model 1950” on the shooting range at the old Mosede Fort near Copenhagen. Military representatives from Great Britain, India, the United States and several other countries were allowed to attend the successful demonstration of firing 20,000 rounds with a weapon from the current serial production. After 2 hours and 17 minutes the test was over—and the gun still alright. Not a single malfunction occurred during firing. In the days before the demonstration a barrel was already stressed with 42,970 rounds and then measured. The muzzle velocity decreased by less than 10 percent and the bore widened by 0.04mm (0.0015 inch). The military, in any case, seemed to have been convinced by the Mad-sen M-50, because it soon became an export hit. Orders followed (again) from El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, Indonesia and many other countries.

To be even more successful in the international market, there were a few minor improvements to the weapon, as well as a few variants to choose from. From the Model 1953 (P.74), the thread for the barrel nut was relocated from the receiver to the barrel. A curved magazine was supposed to improve the cartridge feed (although the straight stick magazines were working properly). In addition, an alternative barrel nut could be used in connection with a perforated bar-rel jacket with integrated bayonet lug. The last DISA submachine gun was the Madsen Model 1953 Mark II (P.127). It too was optionally available with barrel jacket and bayonet. On request, wooden grip plates could be attached so that the grip piece did not heat up in the sun as much as the standard grip piece made of pure metal.

In Brazil, the Indústria Nacional de Armas S/A manufactured the submachine gun under license in São Paulo. Contact with the Danes was made in 1949, and DISA assem-bled some prototypes in the desired .45 ACP caliber. Already in the middle of 1950, serial production began in the factory in Brazil. The weapon was given the model designation INA M950. The most noticeable difference to the Danish model was the cocking handle relocated to the right side of the receiver. Three years later, a slightly improved version followed—the INA M953. Among other things, the magazine well was extended. The submachine guns were used in large numbers by army, navy, civilian police and other armed units. When the military forces switched to 9mm ammunition in the early 1970s, the INAs were gradually sent back to the depots for storage. The number of weapons is not known, but it was enough to let the military think about a conversion to 9mm caliber. Originally, the state-owned armaments company Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil (IMBEL) was to produce a conversion kit consisting of barrel, bolt and magazine so that the replacement work could be carried out directly in the respective depots. But the conditions of the weapons varied a lot, and many had to be repaired first. Ultimately, therefore, the weapons were sent to the IMBEL factory in Itajubá for rework and conversion. In addition, the submachine guns received a fire selector switch because most of them went to the police, and they wanted a semiautomatic function.

As great as the success of the Madsen sub-machine guns was in the world, it remained modest in its homeland of Denmark. Only the Danish police bought weapons from DISA. The army, however, preferred the M/49 “Hovea,” which was adopted in 1949. It was nothing more than a copy of the Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45. The state-owned weapons factory (Haerens Vabenarsenalet) in Copenhagen was chosen for its production.

The Schiffer Military History series contains many fine books on military aviation, naval and ground forces, the American Civil War as well as militaria and even modeling & collectable figures. However, until recently, they did not have much in the way of firearms books. 

French author Luc Guillou has brought three interesting books to the Schiffer library. These represent the beginning of the Classic Guns of the World series. (Besides the three books already released and reviewed here, the Spring/Summer 2019 catalog mentions that a two-volume set profiling the German P.08 Luger will soon be released. These are also by Luc Guillou.) 

American Submachine Guns, 1919–1950 deals mostly with the Thompson SMG, with a brief look at the M3 “Grease gun,” the Reising and the UD M42, made by United Defense Supply Corporation. Eight pages are given to the M3 “grease gun,” five to the M50 Reising, and four pages to the UD M42. This book was originally published in 2014 in French as Les P.M. Américains, 1919–1950. It has been translated into English by Julia and Frédéric Finel. 

Beginning with a look back at the early development of the Thompson, this leads to the Model 1921, followed by the Model of 1928. Close-up photos of the internals depict some of the differences between the models. Later, during WWII, the design was simplified to create the M1 and M1A1 models. These are covered in detail, along with many accessories. 

The Sten: The Legendary World War II British Submachine Gun naturally covers the various marks and models of the Sten gun as well as the Lanchester, based on the German MP28 11 and the Patchett prototype, which later developed into the L2A3 Sterling SMG. Numerous black and white photos from WWII show vast numbers being produced; also, a sequence of photos shows the disassembly of a Sten. Several foreign versions of the Sten are also covered, including the German MP3008 copy. A brief look at the Belgian ABL (armée belge/Belgisch Leger) is provided by guest author Patrick Denamur. This book was originally published in 2015 as La Sten: L’Arme de la Résistance. 

German Submachine Guns, 1918–1945 was first published in 2013 as Les P.M. Allemands, 

1918–1945. As with the other two titles, it was translated by Julia and Frédéric Finel. The German SMG book covers many designs, starting with the Bergmann MP18/1 and continuing with the MP28/11, MP35/1, MP34 and more. These designs all used wood stocks, giving them a “traditional” appearance similar to the Thompson. The infamous Nazi MP38 and MP40 guns, with their distinctive underfolding skeleton stocks, are covered in great detail. Many clear, crisp color photos illustrate manufacturing details, variants, and so on. 

A chapter on foreign guns covers captured guns, mainly Soviet and British Commonwealth. Interestingly, at the War’s end, Germany was producing a copy of the Sten known as the MP3008. 

The final chapter, chapter 12, delves into assault rifles. This may seem like a strange thing for an author of a book about pistol cartridge submachine guns to do. The author makes the point that the early prototypes used the Maschinenpistole term, such as the MP43/1 and MP44. This was prior to the final term Sturmgewehr, as with the StG44. Eleven pages are given to these weapons. 

These books follow the same general layout—hardcover, 80 pages each and measuring just over 9in x 12in. The Sten book features 288 color and B&W photographs, the German SMG has 370 photos, and the American SMG has 450 photos. Many of the color photos are full-page, studio-type shots that portray not only the firearm but accessories and other related militaria. This provides an interesting visual treat. These photos are by Marc de Fromont, and the guns and equipment are from the Collection of the Royal Army Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, and the Musée de l’Armée. Some of the manuals, etc., are in French. Presumably, this is because these books were first published in France, for a French audience. 

On the topic of translation, there are a few awkward translations from French. Knurling or checkering of metal is called “grid pattern.” Or, while discussing the selector switch, it states, “… only conserved one automatic firing capacity.” I suspect this means “… was changed to full-auto fire only.” Aside from this minor issue, these are very nice books. 

At only 80 pages, these books are not high-end research and reference manuals, but they are certainly worthy of consideration. The full-page photos noted above, disassembly sequences, side-by-side variant comparisons and accessory photos should appeal to small arms enthusiasts. 

The first of the two Luger volumes mentioned above is out now. I do not know when Vol. II will release. Also, two other titles from the same Classic Guns of the World are due soon. The Colt M1911 and the M1 Garand, both by Jean Huon, are in the works. 

American Submachine Guns, 1919–1950 // ISBN-13: 978-0-7643-5484-7 

The Sten: The Legendary WWII British Submachine Gun // ISBN-13: 978-0-7643-5485-4 

German Submachine Guns, 1918–1945  // ISBN-13: 978-0-7643-5486-1 

• Author Luc Guillou 
• Copyright 2018 
• Binding: Hard cover 
• Size: 9in x 12in 
• Pages: 80 
• schifferbooks.com 

Such items have existed as long as there have been firearms, and, in truth, scale weapons have existed much longer. “There were skilled craftsmen making miniature weapons including cross bows, siege engines and, of course, even suits of armor,” said Wayne Driskill of Wayne Driskill Miniature Firearms (waynedriskillminiatures.com), one of the premier dealers of scale weapons. “I like to say that as soon as someone used the jawbone of an ass as a weapon someone else stepped up and used a jawbone from a baby ass for his son.” 

Driskill added that many of the scale models of larger items such as the siege engines and similar weapons were engineering models, but since the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, these served another purpose—namely, “salesman samples.” In some cases, this was a way for journeymen artisans to show off their skills; it was easier for a tradesman to carry scale replicas of actual weapons. 

In more recent times these have simply been a way for individuals to show off their skills. In this regard it is akin to model builders, but instead of putting together a kit, those who make scale weapons build everything from scratch. One irony is that while today’s modern world has allowed for all sorts of advancements in 3D printing, laser cutting and computer-aided design (CAD), the art of making scale firearms is a dying one. Perhaps that is because it is, in fact, an art form as few are learning the trade. 

“We’re the last of a dying breed,” admitted Zavie Kucer, who grew up making scale replicas of firearms. It was a skill he learned from his father David Kucer, who is now legendary amongst collectors worldwide and who has been working on the scale replicas for nearly 60 years (kucers.com). 

David Kucer grew up as a self-described “immigrant kid” in Montreal, and during a trip to visit his grandparents in New York City he took in the world of miniatures. The elder Kucer became intrigued with miniatures, while his interest in firearms came from his time in the military. 

“His job in the Canadian Army was to repair firearms,” said Zavie. “When he got out of the military he started to tinker with making miniature guns. His father had a metal shop, which offered the right tools to make these replicas. So he trained as a gunsmith and worked on everything from small arms to 25 pounders, and combined with his skills with tool and dies it just came together.” 

Fully Functional 

What sets the world of miniature firearms apart from so many other scale replicas is that these pieces are fully functional. In the Victorian Era, craftsmen produced the scale versions not only as the aforementioned samples to sell actual firearms but as a collectible to those with means. These included pinfire guns that were novelty guns that could fire blanks or even live miniature ammunition. 

One of the leading makers of these has been Bob Urso of Washington (boburso.com) who said he likes to think that he fills a middle ground for collectors. “I fill that niche between the inexpensive and the very expensive miniatures,” added Bob Urso. “With my guns I capture the look of the gun, and that includes duplicating the grips where I can. However, the action is greatly simplified compared to what others like Zavie Kucer does. I like to say they make a ‘true miniature’ while mine are simplified, but you can shoot the 2mm round.” 

While some of these are detailed and intricate, there is a word that shouldn’t be used to describe them, however: cute. “Cute is for puppies, and these pinfire guns are absolutely still dangerous,” explained Wayne Driskill, who has, since 2009, been the president of the Miniature Arms Collectors & Makers Society, a group that was founded in 1973. “Some will shoot, and some can kill you just the same as a full-sized gun.” 

However, most of the miniatures were not made as weapons, and that is true of the scale firearms made by the Kucers. “Our guns could shoot in theory, but in practice not really,” explained Zavie. “We don’t even make the ammunition, so these do go ‘click, click’ when you pull the trigger, but they don’t go ‘boom.’ But it is still a weapon and could be dangerous if used incorrectly.” 

This includes the scale machine guns, some of which have been built to function. This includes a miniature of the British STEN MkII, which was reportedly made by Leon Crottet of Switzerland, and is capable of full-auto fire. Due to the fact that they use custom-made miniature cartridges, these miniatures are reportedly not subject to the National Firearms Act (NFA) regulations of their full-size counterparts, but it wouldn’t be out of the question that these could raise the attention of law enforcement if used irresponsibly! 

True Americana 

While scale replicas of firearms have been made for centuries, there are plenty of vintage wheel lock and flintlock miniatures in collections. For the Kucers the sweet spot has been in the American small arms of the 19th century. The focus for the father/son duo has been those guns made from 1840 to 1890 and included cap and ball pistols and Winchester repeating rifles. That said, the Kucers have worked on 20th-century firearms as well, with the Colt 1911 being another favorite. “Among the favorite guns I’ve made include a Smith & Wesson Victory Model, which is one the Canadian soldiers used,” said David Kucer. “I also worked on a Smith & Wesson lever action pistol known as the Volcanic. That was an interesting project.” 

The Kucers also explained that they’ve relied on a time-tested method for making miniatures—one that has gone back to the days of these being salesman samples. That involves having a real one, copying each part in scale and producing an exact copy in miniature. This is why, despite the fact that they don’t produce ammunition, the firearms are otherwise fully functional in every other respect. “My dad’s approach was always to have an original, take it apart and copy each piece,” said Zavie. “More importantly this also involved using the same materials and the same method of manufacture. To replicate the guns in such detail requires this level of examination of the firearm. Drawings and even diagrams aren’t good enough.” 

As a result there is a lot of hand finishing involved that couldn’t be accurately represented in a drawing. “We always have to have the original,” added Zavie. “This allows us to make an exact copy of everything including the screws, the springs but also the bluing and the tempering.” When the Kucers produced a Colt 1849 revolver, it featured brass and silver plating, along with a stage coach scene engraved on the gun just like the original.

However, there have been a few guns that haven’t been made due to the complexities of the original. “There was one I really wanted to do,” said David Kucer. “It was a Colt Lightning Rifle, but it was too complicated and too big for our equipment.”

The scale of the weapons varies, but popular today with collectors are those that are in the one-third and one-fourth scale. Obviously the larger the scale, the more detail collectors can appreciate, but part of the appeal is in how small one can go. “It becomes increasingly difficult to make a functional firearm when you go smaller,” said Wayne Driskill. “When you get the cylinder working on these really small guns, it is like working on a watch. You’re talking tens of a thousand of an inch in precision. But it can be impressive to see something like the Colt Navy Revolvers in 1/12 scale, which is smaller than G.I. Joe but is still functional. That is doll house size!”

Modern Copies

The Kucers are part of a dying breed, made worse by the fact that the only production-made miniatures were produced by the now-defunct MiniArt in Russia and by Aldo Uberti, Srl—the latter being the Italian maker of full-sized historic firearms (ubertireplicas.com). 

The mass-produced guns by Uberti can be a good entry point for the new collector, at least compared to a similar handmade gun from Kucer and others. In comparison, a Kucer-made example could be near to $5,000 while a similar Uberti version might be several hundred dollars to $1,000 on the high end. However, some would argue the craftsmanship is a world apart. Then there is the new wave of low-end diecast versions that have come out of China. These are still a step up from toys but lack the overall detail of the handmade miniatures. 

“From my perspective there is no comparison,” said Zavie Kucer. “My father and I make 10 to 12 pieces a year, and our prices mean we’re in a completely different demographic of collectors. What I’ve seen is that new collectors start low and get comfortable in the field and move up. That is true of real firearms, and that is true of miniatures.”

Bob Urso added that he used to produce about 30 a year, but has slowed down in recent years. “I’m 76, and I’m retired,” he added. “This is a labor of love for me. Plus there are some very good makers in the Ukraine and Russia that are producing what I used to.”

This is why the diecast versions will never appeal to the serious collectors, as there are now lower cost, high quality alternatives. While the diecast versions might be worthy of decorating a desk at the office, they aren’t the sort of things that are meant to be on display and likely won’t appreciate over time the way these quality scale miniatures could. In fact, because there are so few being made for collectors it is now like buying real vintage firearms. 

“I’m not really getting any ‘new stuff,’” said Wayne Driskill. “What I’m now dealing in is recycling the stuff that was first sold 25 or more years ago. And just like old art, sometimes it can be a factor of 25 to 50 times more depending on who made it. Certain artists who made these guns back in the day bring more money than the unknowns.”

And that is where, again, it is easy to see the connection to works of art. Not just in the craftsmanship but in terms of how the good “stuff” will only appreciate over time. 

At the English Easter Maneuvers of 1891, the 26th Middlesex Cyclist Regiment demonstrated what is believed to be the first use of a machine gun fired by a cycle carriage. Military planners were impressed by the display, but there proved to be a rather significant issue with this concept: two bicycles mounted side-by-side with a platform for the Maxim gun in between. It simply weighed too much. At 96 pounds the bicycles of the era, with solid rubber tires and lacking the gears of today’s carbon fiber mountain bikes, were simply unable to pull the weight of the gun up even a slight incline. Two riders, even on level ground, would struggle to manage more than a few miles an hour. British designers tried to improve upon the design, and one concept included additional bikes that could aid by towing the twin-bike platform.

The Origin of Military Bicycles

Anyone who has visited parts of Europe, notably France, Italy and the Netherlands, can attest that these people love their bicycles. Bicycle racing is one of the most popular sports in Europe, following only football (soccer) in overall popularity. For many Europeans cycling is part of daily life as people commute to work, get to the store and when possible, get away from it all.

It is therefore not surprising that the bi-cycle also has a long and colorful history that includes service in various armies in Europe, and for that matter the world.

However, just as no one person, or persons, can lay claim to actually inventing the automobile, the same holds true for the bicycle. The first person generally credited with building a two-wheel device that would be the forerunner of the modern bicycle was German Baron Karl Von Drais, who in 1817 devised an in-line contraption that was propelled by the rider’s feet. This horse substitute, which was aimed at the well-to-do, didn’t catch on, however.

Other inventors and tinkerers attempted to create a human-driven machine, but it actually wasn’t until the 1860s that Frenchmen Pierre Michaux and Pierre Lallement introduced a pedal-driven system that would propel bicycle technology and subsequently the riders forward. While these early bicycles were actually awkward to ride, military planners saw a potential, and bicycles were employed by French scouts and dispatch riders during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.

Just as technological advances were being made in the development of automatic weapons in the 1880s so too did the bicycle see significant innovation. English inventor John Kemp Starley built on this development and produced the world’s first successful “safety bicycle,” which was dubbed the “Rover.”

Released in 1885, its design would be recognizable even today. It featured equally sized front and back wheels, with the front being steerable and a chain drive to the rear wheel. Throughout Europe military planners saw a potential for scouts, but also for a new type of mobile infantry.

Across the Atlantic, a handful of American National Guard regiments experimented with bicycles. The First Signal Corps of the Connecticut National Guard formed the first military bicycle unit in 1891, when the bicycle was used by messengers and relay riders. Various challenges ensued including one that had a Connecticut National Guard cyclist prove he alone could deliver a message faster than an entire flag signaler team, while a relay team carried a single dispatch from Chicago to New York City in just four days and 13 hours, with much of it in rainy weather. A follow-up challenge brought a message from Washington, D.C. to Denver in just over six days!

The Bicycle and the Machine Gun Come Together

Military planners proved that the bicycle could be used to deliver messages, but the bicycle also found use for portable topographers and even telegraphers. In one case, a rider used his bike to study the grade of hills and other terrain to help commanders in the field determine if the land was traversable with cannons and wagons.

In the 1890s, multiple nations conducted field tests that included adding a sidecar mounted with early machine guns as well as side-mounted rifles that could be fired from the handlebars. During the Second Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, which began in 1899, the bicycle first had its baptism of fire when it was used by messengers, was adapted into portable stretch-ers and even used as a part of a specially devised two-man cycle to patrol the railroads. In the latter case about 20 were built for patrol work, however, none is believed to survive today.

One of the most notable concepts was produced just after the war ended, when the English company of Vickers & Sons & Maxim created a large, two-man tricycle that featured a platform for a pair of machine guns. More correctly a “tri-cycle” than “bicycle,” it featured three wheels and was designed to carry 1,000 cartridges along with two Vickers machine guns.

This system allowed the two rear-facing guns to set up and fire simultaneously within mere minutes. However, the total weight was more than 375 pounds not including the riders! As with the earlier British design this meant it was almost impossible to pedal up a slope and instead had to be pushed. By removing one of the guns, tripod and ammunition, the tricycle’s weight was reduced to a far more manageable 126 pounds. The tests proved that the bicycle, at least in concept, could be used as a weapon’s platform.

The relative “success” of the bicycle caught the eye of American Albert Pope, who offered his own design which featured a Colt M1895 “potato digger” machine gun affixed to the front of the frame. It was of course impossible to fire while riding, and the weight of the gun seriously impacted the balance.

End of the Line

While designers continued to tinker with the designs, what truly resulted in the end of the line for the bicycle and machine gun were the trenches of the First World War. By that time the bicycle was employed by armies on both sides to help troops to get to the front line, but as the war bogged down into the hellish nightmare of trench warfare the two-wheel machines were relegated to rear echelon duty. Cycles were used to some degree by sharpshooters in less static areas as well as by scouts and, of course, dispatch riders.

A generation after the trench warfare of the First World War, the outbreak of war in Europe and Asia put the cycle back in the field. The German Army, even during its rapidly moving blitzkrieg, still relied on horse-drawn carriages to transport men and equipment, and bicycles also played a part.

Wartime shortages throughout World War II also resulted in many nations utilizing the bicycle to save on fuel. During the invasion of Malaysia, there were thousands of Japanese soldiers rolling towards Singapore on bicycles. As rubber was in short supply, it is reported that Japanese soldiers learned to ride on the rims when the tires went flat and couldn’t be repaired.

Ironically, the nation that is most associated with military bikes is one that stayed neutral throughout both world wars, Switzerland. That nation’s Bicycle Infantry was introduced in 1905 and only phased out in 2001; for nearly 100 years the bikes that the mountain nation used were known for their high quality and equally high durability. While Switzerland experimented with mounting machine guns on bikes over the years, like most other nations it found that the bicycle was best used as a tool for infantry.

In the end it was the introduction of motorized vehicles that signaled the end of the line for the bicycle and the machine gun.