Heidler, M. U.S. M3 / M3A1 Submachine Gun "Grease Gun"

Described derogatorily by many as the "Grease Gun", the M3 quickly gained a reputation for reliability. The improved M3A1 model followed at the end of 1944. It lived through not only the Second World War, but also Korea, Vietnam and various other conflicts. Over 700,000 M3/M3A1s rolled off the production lines of American companies. China and Argentina produced copies for their armies, other countries received weapons from the USA and some still keep them in active service today. This book tells the story of a weapon that, despite its success, has always been overshadowed by the Thompson models. The reader can expect many hitherto unknown details, background information and numerous photos of worldwide use.

As early as 1939, the Ordnance Department of the U.S. Army had made initial preparations for the search for a new submachine gun that would be simple, cheap and quick to manufacture. The Thompson submachine guns were of excellent quality, but not suitable for mass production. Years of trials followed and in the end an inconspicuous weapon prevailed:
When the "U.S. Submachine Gun, Calibre .45, M3" was officially introduced as the new submachine gun on 11 January 1943, many a soldier first had to get used to its appearance. Welded together from two formed sheet metal halves, with rough welds and a simple shoulder rest made of bent wire, the weapon was not comparable to the high-quality Thompson-MP used until then. But the United States of America was at war, the armaments industry was in full swing - and the design of the M3 was uncompromisingly geared to mass production.