M3 submachine-gun

Image: IWM (FIR 6124)

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Image: IWM (FIR 6124)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

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Description

Physical description

M3 smg & oiler, magazine release-catch guard fitted.

Label

The M3 submachine gun was developed during 1941-2 in response to a US Army requirement for a modern submachine-gun to replace the Thompson. In concept it was influenced by the British Sten gun, insofar as ease of manufacture lay at the centre of its design. Nicknamed the 'Grease Gun' because of its appearance, the M3 was easy to shoot, due to being well balanced and having a low rate of fire. Unfortunately (as in the case of the Sten) its reliability was undermined by a poorly designed magazine. This particular weapon was captured from the Chinese 'People's Volunteer Army' in the Korean War. It is a trophy of the celebrated action fought on the night of 28-29 May 1953 by 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, in defence of a ridge known as 'The Hook'. The Chinese were defeated in their attempt to seize the ridge, in one of a series of attacks intended to strengthen the hand of North Korea in the peace negotiations, which were in progress at this time.

History note

This particular weapon was captured from the Chinese 'People's Volunteer Army' in the Korean War. It is a trophy of the celebrated action fought on the night of 28-29 May 1953 by 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, in defence of a ridge known as 'The Hook'. The Chinese were defeated in their attempt to seize the ridge, in one of a series of attacks intended to strengthen the hand of North Korea in the peace negotiations, which were in progress at this time.

Stamped on magazine housing

SUB MACH-GUN CAL 45 M3 Guidelamp

Stamped on left of magazine housing

SUB-MACH. GUN CAL.45 M3

Stamped on left of magazine housing

GUI over US army crossed cannons mark over U.S NO. 393037

Stamped on underside of body

G.L.C 153432

Stamped on trigger guard

B.G.R. - GL - over B 301456

Painted in yellow on right side of receiver

70 over 53

Object Details

Category: Weapons and ammunition
Related period: 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: General Motors (Guidelamp Division), Detroit
Dimensions: whole: L:57cm BL:20cm Calibre: .45 ACP
Catalogue number: FIR 6124

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Chinese People's Volunteer Army
British Army, Duke of Wellington's Regt (West Rid)
Associated events

Hook 1953, Korean War 1950-1953
Korean War, 1950-1953
Associated places

Korea
Associated themes

Korea 1950-1953

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Object Details

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Associated events

Associated places

Associated themes

Our collections information