M3A1 Grease Gun

[Achtung Spitfire!]

M3A1 Grease Gun

Designed & developed as a much cheaper alternative to the Thompson. Basically a no frills sheet steel seem welded weapon with a single 'slow' rate of automatic fire. 45APC ammo same as the Thompson. The name derives from its appearance being similar to a common grease gun used to inject grease into moving mechanical parts

This example supersedes the original M3 having done away with the external cocking handle just below the breech on the right hand side making the manufacturer of the weapon even simpler. To cock the weapon one just flips the safety cover/ used case ejection port open & pulls back the bolt with a finger. Surprisingly heavy & with a real solid feel about it. The skeleton stock folds away/ extends nicely. There's an oil bottle with a 'spoon' located in the  pistol grip. A weapon of choice for tank crews owing to its small dimensions. Used throughout the  mid to latter part of WW2, Vietnam & as late as the first Gulf War. Still in use today by all accounts. Pictured here with doubled up magazines for fast reloading. 

[Fritz]

Probably the American equivalent of the Sten. Who uses these today?

[Achtung Spitfire!]

The Sten is a great comparison. Again designed as a simple cheap effective alternative to the Thompson.

Still in use today according to Wikipedia though the latest reference I've found is 2009. I'd bet money though that someone somewhere will have it their 'armoury' today. It has been extensively used (thats an understatement) by many countries & in many conflicts since WW2 the list of which makes very interesting reading . That speaks volumes about the weapon itself! The Falklands conflict caught my eye. Obviously used by the Argentinians.Great close quarter weapon I'm thinking.

Countries that have used the Grease Gun.

Seen here being used (two at the front) by the Philippine Naval Warfare Group training with the US Coast Guard in 2009.

Photo & info source Wikipedia 

Edited September 29, 2020 by Achtung Spitfire!
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