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Title:	CARBINE -  U.S. CARBINE M1E5 .30 SN# 1
Maker/Manufacturer:	GARAND, JOHN C.
Date of Manufacture:	1944
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3190
Measurements:	OL: 95.2CM 37 1/2" BL: 45.7CM 18" 8.4 lbs.

Object Description:

U.S. CARBINE M1E5 .30 SN# 1
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. in 1944 - Experimental M1 carbine with folding stock. Attempt to make a short, lightweight rifle. Tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground in May, 1944 for possible paratrooper use. Tests indicated weapon accurate at 300 yards, but blasts, flash, recoil, and noise was excessive. It featured a shortened barrel (dated 1 SA 2 44) and pantograph folding stock. Aberdeen recommended that a pistol grip be added after testing. The development of the pistol grip was carried out at a low priority. Complete with M15 grenade sight. Weapon has an overall length of 37 1/2" and a barrel length of 18". Weapon weighs approximately 8.4 lbs. Weapon classified, despite markings, as rifle type M1A3.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. CARBINE/CAL..30 M1E5/SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/1.
Bolt: D28287-12SA/S B7.
Barrel: 1-1-SA-2-44.

Weapon received from the Research & Engineering Branch of the Springfield Armory 01/07/65. At that time weapon was appraised for $80.60.

Notes: The Infantry Board tested a shortened rifle submitted by the 93rd Infantry Division that was 1.22 lbs lighter than the standard M1, in January, 1944. These tests indicated that accuracy was not impaired by this alteration, but the Infantry Board reported that weapon has excessive recoil and muzzle blast. It was recommended that the project continue as there was a need for a paratrooper weapon with more punch than a carbine or a submachine gun. The Board asked Colonel Rene Studler to develop such a weapon. Studler passed the job on to the Springfield Armory.
John Garand began work on the project in January, 1944. The first completed model of the M1E5 and stock tested by Aberdeen exhibited the same problems reported earlier by the Infantry Board; too much noise and recoil. Shortly after these tests, Studler suspended work on improving folding stocks to permit the Armory Model Shop to concentrate on the T20 rifles. There was no further testing until Headquarters, Pacific Theater Of Operations, requested 15,000 M1s with a 18" barrel. Garand received a patent for the folding stock on February 22, 1949.

"M1E5 - This rifle was developed in response to requests, from various World War II Theaters of Operation, for a short, light-weight M1 having a folding stock. Accordingly, the barrel of the rifle was reduced to 18" length from the standard 24" and a metal pantograph-type stock that folded down and forward under the forestock was added to complete the weapon. Testing of the M1E5 disclosed excessive blast and flash from the shortened barrel and also resulted in a request for a partial or full-type pistol grip for the folding metal stock. The rifle having this modified stock was designated T6E3 but was not carried to completion because of higher priority work.
A short M1 Rifle almost saw service during World War II, when, in July, 1945, the Pacific Theater requested such a weapon and provided a model of the type desired. As plans were being finalized for the limited procurement of 15,000 of these weapons, VJ-Day occurred and the requirement was cancelled." - T.E. Cosgrove, American Rifleman, March, 1974.

"SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, M1E5 (PARATROOP CARBINE) SERIAL NUMBER 1, MANUFACTURE MONTH: May 1944 - During the early years of WWII, reports were received from the field requesting that a carbine sized version of the M1 Garand and a shorter M1 bayonet be developed. Ordnance personnel were responsive to these requests and by 1943 the shorter M1 bayonet (10" blade VS 16" for the M1905) was adopted and initial work on the carbine version of the Garand was started. By early 1944, the combat limitations of the M1A1 Carbine, because of the short .30 Carbine cartridge, lacked the needed penetration and range of a full size military battle rifle. The experimental division of Springfield Armory was therefore tasked with the development of a short version of the M1 Garand. This carbine type Garand was for use by Airborne Troops or other specialized units. The need for a full sized cartridge in a paratroop carbine was a.
The Model M1E5...was the result of these efforts. Only one known prototype model was produced. After testing at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in May of 1944, the only known M1E5, serial number 1, was returned to Springfield Armory. This model is on display at the Springfield Armory National Historic Site Museum. Pictures at Aberdeen and the displayed M1E5 Carbine at Springfield, seem to illustrate two different models. Actually they are the same M1E5 carbine. The pistol grip was added after testing to accommodate a recommended change by Aberdeen personnel. The change of the trigger guard, from the original stamped type to the earlier milled type, was probably done for esthetic reasons.
This model of the Garand was never adopted as a standard U.S. Military Arm. Many reasons caused the M1E5 not to be adopted. The M1E5 was equipped and tested with the newly designed gas relief valve lock screw and the M7 Grenade Launcher. The prototype pantograph stock did not meet expectations in this area and several repairs had to be made. This was also an uncomfortable weapon to shoot, both to the shooter and to any unfortunate soul who happened to be alongside. Due to the 18" barrel, muzzle blast and flash were noticeably increased, as was gas port pressure and recoil. Improvements in the M1E5's design were needed. A functional muzzle brake and flash suppressor; a better pistol grip incorporating a rear sling swivel; and a stronger and more comfortable folding stock could have been made. However, time ran out. Further development of the M1E5 was ended by use of the Atomic Bomb to end the war.
Since only one was produced, the M1E5 cannot be considered as a collectable firearm. It is included here because of its historical significance and the fact that this was the start of the legendary 'TANKER' Garand. While definitely a misnomer, the legend started with the M1E5, and was exacerbated by the design and manufacture of the next two Garand models. The 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment Model, as manufactured in 1944 by ordnance unit personnel of the 6th Army in the Philippines; and the T26, as prototyped by Springfield Armory." - Harrison

See, Scott Duff, THE M1 GARAND: WORLD WAR II, Scott A. Duff, 1993. pg. 88.

References:
Duff, Scott. THE M1 GARAND: WORLD WAR II. Scott A. Duff. Export, Pa. 1993.
Harrison, J.C. COLLECTING THE GARAND. J.C. Harrison. Oklahoma City, Ok. 1995.

SA "Monthly Report of Progress on R&D Projects" (January 20, 1944), 7.
SA "Monthly Report of Progress on R&D Projects" (September 20, 1944), 7.

OCM ITEM 27819 (May 31, 1945), "Rifle, Caliber .30, Semi and Full-automatic, Shortened Type, 2."