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Title:	CONTAINER -  CONTAINER - 10 M1 RIFLES
Maker/Manufacturer:	SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Date of Manufacture:	1947
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 2401
Measurements:	H:118.1CM D: 40.1CM

Object Description:

STORAGE CONTAINER HOLDING TEN M1 RIFLES
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - Original Springfield Armory sheet metal storage container, cylindrical in shape, 46 1/2" high and 15 7/8" diameter, painted O.D., containing ten (10) M1 rifles. These rifles are all of Springfield make, and have the following serial numbers: 924869, 979313, 979834, 1194818, 1196452, 2142660, 2195753, 2485179, 3284526, 3629841. The end of the can bears a label and is dated 9/47. Can has been slightly sectionalized on one side as a display piece so contents can be seen. Can and contents are in very good condition and all rifles are complete with slings and are also in good condition. Can contains ten slings. Catalog numbers for weapons are SPAR-8815 through SPAR-8824.

Markings:
Top of can: BOO1-004196/RIFLE, U.S., CAL..30 M1/W/SLING/COND. CODE NO. 23/M.W.O. THRU W2/DRY AIR - NO PRESSURE/7.5 CU. FT. 170 LBS/CONTAINER NO. SA 013634/ORD. DEPT. U.S. ARMY/3-47/

Springfield Daily News, 5/23/1959 - "CANNED M-1 RIFLES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. Weapons Sealed in Containers 12 Years Ago Opened At Armory.
What happens to a rifle when it's been 'canned' for 12 years. Is it still a serviceable weapon?
M-1 Garand rifles made at the Springfield Armory and 'canned' in special hermetically-sealed cannisters were returned from the Schenectady, (N.Y.) depot for conversion to National Match weapons.
The rifles, removed from their sealed chambers, were found to be in perfect working order.
The 'canning' of weapons at the Armory, following World War II was a major gunplant project. Methods of packaging and preserving small arms weapons for a long period of storage posed quite a problem when hundreds of thousands of M-1 rifles were returned to depots for field servicing.
Solution of the problem was assigned to the Armory in July 145. Final design and development of an acceptable storage container was accomplished in 1946 and 1947 by the Armory's research and development division.
The process eventually developed at the local Army Ordnance installation assured serviceable weapons free of rust and fungi, ready for immediate use upon removal from the storage containers.
Rifles, pistols, carbines, submachine guns and machine guns for which the U.S. government had no immediate use were then ready for long-time storage in containers in which the atmosphere was controlled.
This 'canning' method proved to be superior to previous methods, ordnance men report.
Production of these containers was completed by June 1948. Besides the M-1 rifle, the carbine, Browning automatic rifle, M-3 machine gun and caliber .45 pistol were also canned for storage.
Some of the present-day Armory employees who worked on this project during the post-war years included James Rowley, Saul Blankstein, Frank Piekos, Joseph Szanto, Herve Quellette, Robert Hassett and Earl Abbee.
The specially developed cans shipped back to the Armory are believed to be about the last in existence. However, several of these special containers with weapons sealed in have been on display at the Benton Small Arms Museum at the gunplant for the past several years."

Notes: SPAR CHRONOLOGY, 1950s, MALCOLM PAPERS - "LONG TERM STORAGE OF SMALL ARMS - A process for packaging small arms for long periods of indoor storage, known as 'canning,' was developed at Springfield Armory to preserve new or reconditioned small-arms weapons.
Weapons preserved in this manner will be serviceable, free of rust and fungi and ready for immediate use for an estimated period of fifty years.
Rifles, pistols, carbines, sub-machine guns and machine guns have been secured within hermetically sealed metal containers in which the atmosphere is controlled. In so far as possible the weapons are secured in such a manner as to produce a uniformly balanced pack.
The atmosphere in each container is maintained at a low relative humidity to prevent rusting and growth of fungi and is in equilibrium with the wood components. To control this atmosphere, several pounds of moisture-absorbing material are placed in each container,hen seam welded and embossed with a varying number of rolling hoops depending on the length. The pressed steel covers have a one inch flange and an embossed centering ring which serves to hold the gun rack on the axis of the container. One cover is pressed into the shell and then rotary seam welded and tested for leaks by internal air pressure of ten rounds per square inch. A rectangular identification plate is seam welded to the opposite cover. The plate contains information as to stock number, contents, modification work order, volume, weight, serial number of the container and the date packed.
Seamless aluminum tubes of one-eight inch wall thickness are used for individual packing of Caliber .50 Aircraft Basic and Heavy Barrel Flexible machine guns. Aluminum covers with one inch flange are pressed from sheet alloy. One cover is assembled with a rear bracket support. This support is a spot-welded assembly, channel shaped to secure the rear end of the weapon. A cup is used to protect the muzzle of the gun. The gun is also supported forward of the receiver with a formed disc.
Rifles, carbines and sub-machine guns are assembled to a gun rack. The rack is made up of a center post, (standard steel pipe) with spacing units welded in place to locate the weapons. Formed discs or end plates with muzzle and butt-plate indents are welded on each end of the center post to prevent endwise movement of the guns. The formed edge of the end plate fits over the centering ring which is embossed in the cover. Padding material is placed between the weapons and rack to cushion shock and to prevent marring of weapons.
Pistols are packed in trays which are pressed from low carbon steel and shaped to fit the silhouette of two pistols with extra magazines. In assembly the pistols with magazines are placed in position on one tray. Another inverted tray is placed on top to form a single unit. Matching ears and slots on each tray allow them to be locked together. Ten units, or twenty pistols with extra magazines, are stacked in each container.
Weapons are cleaned prior to canning by immersion in a tank of selected volatile solvent which removes acid forming greases and other foreign compositions that might produce corrosion. They are then immersed in a tank of Soft Film Rust Preventive AXS-1759, Grade #2j. This compound has moisture displacing properties and a minimum tendency to become gummy or varnish over a long period of time.
After evaporation of volatiles from this compound, the film resulting is about .0005 inch thick. This allows unpacking and firing the gun without cleaning, thus avoiding the difficult removal of heavy compounds from weapons as preserved in the past.
Following this coating of preservative, the weapons are assembled to the gun rack along with accessories, which consist of magazines, slings, oilers for rifles, spade gips and charging handles for machine guns. These are secured in specially designed holders. Slings and bags of desiccant such as Silica Gel, are tucked in between the weapons and center post of the rack.
Cotton webbing pads and half-inch box-strapping bands are placed around the weapons assembled to the gun racks, drawn up tightly and secured with strapping seals.
The assembled packs are put into the containers, properly centered and the top cover with name plate assembly pressedThe hermetically sealed containers are tested by immersion in clean water heater to 180 degrees F. The internal air pressure rises to about three pounds per square inch in two minutes. All surfaces and seams are carefully examined while the container is under water. Defects are repaired by oxy-acetylene welding and the container retested.
Accepted steel containers are prepared for painting by vapor degreasing, bodnerizing and drying. The containers are spray painted with two coats of olive drab enamel (U.S. Army Specification 3-181, Type V). Each coat is baked for five minutes by infra-red lamps, allowing ten minutes between coats for cooling. This cooling period prevents the internal temperature from exceeding 200 degrees F, above which a breakdown of phosphate coatings and the preservative compound may occur. During an overrun of fifteen minutes on the paint line conveyor after the final coat, the paint air dries to 'Full Hardness.' Painting of the aluminum containers is omitted as the material was selected for its non-corrosive properties. Instructions for opening are stenciled on each shell.
A specially designed portable 'can opener' was developed to facilitate opening the containers of various models and weighs about thirty pounds. This tool may be considered a giant version of the ordinary kitchen utensil. It can be used as a single unit or it may be used in conjunction with a platform base for opening on a production basis.
The portable opener consists of a gear reduction unit that operates two serrated drive rolls which are designed to provide the force necessary to cause a set of cutting discs to cut through the shell thickness of the containers. The two cutting discs are located on a pivoted arm. A vise clamp arrangement allows the discs to be set to the desired depth of cut. In operation, the serrated drive wheels are placed on the inside of the container flange and the pivoted arm is tightened, with the cutting discs located below the seam weld on the flange. The opener may be operated manually with a hand crank, or if electrical power is available, it can be driven with a one-half inch portable drill.
When used in conjunction with the platform base, the portable unit in inverted and properly located in the base. The platform base is equipped with a one-third horsepower motor. The power is transmitted by means of a worm gear arrangement to the portable unit's drive stud. Containers are placed upright on this composite unit and opened in the same maner as described with the portable unit.
Containers were subjected to various rough handling conditions in laboratory tests prior to acceptance. These tests included four-foot falls with the containers landing at various angles along with vibration tests to simulate most phases of transportation handling. Containers were then tested for hermetic seal and opened for examination and contents. Results indicated that although the containers were badly dented, they retained their hermetic seal and the weapons were not damaged in any way.
An additional test was conducted to simulate air transportation of containers. In this test the loaded containers withstood fifteen pounds per square inch of internal air pressure without any indication of distortion or leakage.
The canning method of packaging weapons for long periods of storage has proved to be superior, in certain respects, to previous methods used."

"LONG TERM STORAGE OF SMALL ARMS
A process for packaging small arms for long periods of indoor storage, known as 'canning', was developed at Springfield Armory to preserve new or reconditioned weapons.
Weapons preserved in this manner will be serviceable, free of rust and fungi and ready for immediate use of an estimated period of fifty-years.
Rifles, Pistols, Carbines, Sub-machine guns and Machine guns are secured within hermetically sealed metal cThe atmosphere in each container is maintained at a lot relative humidity to prevent rusting and growth of fungi and is in equilibrium with wood components. To control this atmosphere, several pounds of desiccant are placed in each container before sealing. The amount of desiccant used is governed by the ambient air condition at the time of packaging, Weapons equipped with wood stocks and hand guards are placed in drying kilns, where the wood components are conditioned to a uniform moisture content prior to canning. Web slings are padding material (cotton, felt) are dehydrated before packing. When dehydrated, the padding material is immersed in oil to prevent reabsorption of moisture.
The drum type container, used for packaging M1 Rifles, Carbines, Pistols, B.A.R., and submachine guns, is fabricated from WD 1015 steel. The shell is of #18 gage material and the end covers are of #14 gage. A flat sheet is rolled to form the shell, longitudinally resistance seam welded and embossed with a varying number of rolling hoops, depend on the length. The pressed steel covers have a one inch flange and an embossed centering ring. The centering ring serves to hold the gun rack on the axis of the container. One cover is pressed into the shell, rotary seam welded to the opposite cover. This plate contains information as to stock number, contents, modification work order, volume, weight, serial number of the container and the date packed.
Aluminum extruded tubes, of one-eight inch wall thickness, are used for individual packing of Caliber .50 Aircraft Basic and Heavy Barrel Flexible machine guns. Aluminum covers are pressed from sheet Alloy, have a one inch flange but without centering rings. One cover is assembled with a rear bracket support. This support is a spot welded assembly, channel shaped to secure the rear end of the weapon and is welded to the cover. An extruded cup is welded to the opposite cover to supper the muzzle of the gun. This gun is also supported forward of the trunnion block with a formed disc.
Rifles, carbines and submachine guns are assembled to a gun rack. The rack is made up of a center post, (standard steel pipe) with spacing units welded in place to locate the weapons. Formed discs or end plates with muzzle and butt indents are welded on each end of the center post to prevent end wise movement of the guns. The peripheral form of the end plate fits over the centering ring embossed in the cover. Padding material is placed between the weapons and rack to cushion shock and to prevent marring of the weapons.
Pistols are packed in trays. These trays are pressed from WD 1010 steel and shaped to fit the silhouette of two pistols with extra magazines. In assembly, the pistols with magazines are placed in position on one tray, with another tray inverted and placed on top to form a single unit. Matching ears and slots on each tray allow them to be locked together. Ten units, or twenty pistols with extra magazines, are stacked in each container.
Weapons are prepared for canning by immersion in a tank of selected volatile solvent. This solvent removes acid forming greases and other foreign compositions that might produce corrosion. They are then immersed in a tank of Soft Film, Rust Preventive AXS-1759, Grade 32. This compound has moisture displacing properties and a minimum tendency to become gummy or varnishy over a long period of time.
After evaporation of volatiles from this compound, the resulting film is about .0005 inch thick. This allows unpacking and firing the gun without cleaning, avoiding the difficult removal of heavy grease from weapons are preserved in the past.
Following this coating of preservatives, the weapons are assembled to the gun rack along with accessories. The accessories consist of magazines, slings, oilers for rifles, spade grips and charging handles for machine guns. Magazines, oilers, spade grips and charging handles are secuCotton webbing pads and ½" Box strapping bands are placed around the weapons assembled to gun racks, drawn up tightly and secured with strapping seals.
The assembled packs are lowered into the containers, properly centered and the top cover with name plate assembly is pressed into place. The cover is tacked to the shell while in the press by 'gun welding', to prevent outward displacement after removal. The cover is then rotary seam welded to complete the hermetic sealing operation. The hermetically sealed containers are tested by immersion in clear water heated to 180 degrees F. The internal air pressure rises to about three pounds p.s.i. in two minutes. All surfaces and seams are carefully examined while the container is under water. Defects are repaired by oxy-acetylene welding and the container retested.
Accepted steel containers are prepared for painting by (1) trichloroethylene vapor degrease (2) bonderize (3) dry before painting.
The containers are spray painted with two coats of olive drab enamel U.S. Army Specifications 3-181, Type V. Each coat is baked for five minutes by infra-red lamps, allowing ten minutes between coats for cooling. This cooling period prevents the internal temperature from exceeding 200 degrees F, above which a breakdown of phosphate coatings and the preservative a compound may occur. During and overrun of fifteen minutes on the paint line conveyor after the final coat, the paint air dries to 'Full Hardness.' Painting of the aluminum containers is omitted as the material was selected for its non-corrosive properties. Instructions for opening are stenciled one each shell.
A 'can opener' was developed to facilitate opening the large number of containers packed. This may be considered as a giant version of the ordinary kitchen tool. The portable unit weighing about thirty pounds, may be used as a single unit or it may be used in conjunction with a platform base for opening on a production basis.
The portable opener consists of a gear reduction unit that operates two serrated drive rolls. The drive rolls are designed to provide the force necessary to cause a set of cutting discs are located on a pivoted arm. A vise clamp arrangement allows the discs to be set to the desired dept of cut.
In operation, the serrated drive wheels are located on the inside of the container flange and the pivoted arm is tightened, with the cutting discs located below the seam weld on the flange. The opener may be operated manually with a hand crank, or if electrical power is available, it may be driven with a one-half inch portable drill.
When used in conjunction with the platform base, the portable unit is inverted, and properly located on the base. The platform base is equipped with a one-third horsepower motor. The power is transmitted by means of a worse gear arrangement to the portable unit's drive stud. Containers are placed upright on this composite unit and opened in the same manner as described with the portable unit.
Containers are subjected to various rough handling conditions in laboratory tests prior to acceptance. These included four-foot falls with the containers landing at various angles, and vibration tests to simulate most phases of transportation handling. Containers were then tested for hermetic seal and opened for examination of contents. Results indicated that although the containers were badly dented, they retained their hermetic seal and the weapons were not damaged in any way.
A further laboratory test was conducted to simulate air transportation of containers. In this test the loaded containers withstood 15 pounds p.s.i. of internal air pressure without any indication of distortion or leakage.
This method of packaging weapons for long periods of storage has proved to be quite superior to previous methods used, in that (1) reduces breakages due to handling, (2)
"I have heard rumors of the existence of a cache of M1 rifles still in sealed metal drums from the 1940's. Each container supposedly has ten original rifles. Is there any factual information regarding these or the possibility that they may be imported into this country?
Rumors of the new condition M1's in vacuum sealed drums have been around the collecting fraternity for years. There is a possibility that some of these cans may still exist. These could contain original rifles or new condition arsenal rebuilt M1's. Under 'Canning,' the SA 1948 Fiscal Year Report shows 87,300 and 220,310 more M1's in FY 1949. If certain executive orders are rescinded it is possible that imported U.S. military firearms could once again happen. This is probably not likely to occur, however, there are several things to consider. Firearms could not be released in this country in sealed drums. Current regulations require that the importer place his name and location (city and town) on each individual firearm. In the past, many chose to stamp their markings on the barrels while others marked the receivers. Once this has been accomplished the collectibility of the piece is destroyed. Who wants M1 Rifles with 'Blue Sky' or anything else stamped on them? Another possibility is that the CMP could acquire these and bring them into this country in which case they would not have to be import marked." - THE GRAND STAND REPORT, Summer, 2005.

"The sign on the exhibit explains as follows: 'Springfield Armory packaged weapons for long term storage of small arms after WW2. Rifles, pistols, carbines, submachine guns were secured within hermetically sealed metal containers in which the atmosphere was controlled. In so far as possible the weapons were secured in such a manner as to produce a uniformly balanced.
Rifles are assembled to a gun rack made of a center post (standard steel pipe) with spacing units welded in place to locate the weapons. Formed discs or end plates with muzzle and butt plate indents are welded on each end of the center post to prevent endwise movement of the guns. The formed edge of the end plate fits over the centering ring which is embossed in the cover. Padding material is placed between the weapons and rack to cushion shock and prevent marring of the weapons.' Container is dated 9-47 and weighs 170 lbs.
Stories abound by veterans that many of these containers were punched with holes and thrown overboard from U.S. ships at sea." - Bob Miller, THE GARAND STAND REPORT, Summer, 1993.

References:
Pyle, Billy. THE GAS TRAP GARAND. Collector Grade Publications. Cobourg, Ontario Canada. 1999.