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Title:	GUN, SUBMACHINE -  U.S. SUBMACHINE GUN M3 .45ACP
Maker/Manufacturer:	HYDE & SAMPSON
Date of Manufacture:	1943-1944
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 1556
Measurements:	OL: 29.1" with stock extended; 22 3/4" with stock folded. BL: 8" 8 lbs. without magazine

Object Description:

U.S. SUBMACHINE GUN M3 .45ACP
Manufactured by Guide Lamp Division of GM, Dayton, Oh. - Standard M3 submachine gun that has been fitted with experimental curved barrel. Barrel is rifled. Purpose of design was to protect personnel in armored vehicles when the enemy had penetrated blind areas on or near the vehicle and could not be engaged with vehicle mounted weapons. Weapon weighs approximately 8 lbs. Weapon has no housing around magazine catch release and the bolt is missing. Official paperwork indicates that weapon was tested, but we have not been able to find the test report. It is assumed, weapon did not test well.

Markings:
Magazine housing: SUB MACH GUN/CAL..45 M3/GUIDE U.S. NO.
Magazine: SPW GL C-153427.
Weapon has no serial number and no defense acceptance stamp.

ARMORY HISTORICAL REPORT - 2 SEPTEMBER 1945 THRU 1 JULY 1951
"Submachine Gun, Cal..45 M3 - Objectives. To obtain production, accuracy and functional data when this weapon is equipped with a barrel having a curvature of 10" radius and of variable lengths."

Notes: "CURVED BARRELS - Although the idea is older, curved barrels for small arms only came into practical use during World War II. Germany led in this development, which was intended for two tactical purposes. One aim was to allow crew members of an armored vehicle to defend it against enemy infiltration into dead areas which were not covered by fire from normal defensive weapons on the vehicle. The curved-barrel concept was proposed as a method for directing the defensive fire into these areas by rotating the weapon around its longitudinal axis while firing.
The other proposed use was in close-combat situations where the user might need to fire around the edge of a building, a tree, or some similar obstruction, without unduly exposing himself. For either of these uses, it was, of course, necessary to provide suitable sights.
The most interesting feature of the curved barrel concept is the fact that the direction of the recoil is changed somewhat. It is also necessary to insure that the bullet remains stable in flight.
The curved barrel concept has been applied to submachine guns to a limited extent. In some instances an attachment has been provided which mounts on the muzzle of a standard gun. In other instances, barrels have been provided with an integral curved portion at the muzzle. At present, there seems to be no significant military requirement for this type of equipment, but interest could revive in the future." - Nelson & Musgrave

LOAN HISTORY:
ARMY# 6853 - WEAPON LOANED TO U.S. NAVAL AND MARINE CORPS RESERVE TRAINING CENTER, 211 CASE ST., SPRINGFIELD, MA. 4/8/57 TO 4/15/57.
ARMY# 6853 - Loaned to Mr. Donald Clifford, Principal, Technical High School, Springfield, Ma. 10 April 1958 to 14 April 1958.
Army# 6853 - Weapon loaned to the Sahara Antique Gun Show, Hotel Sahara, Las Vegas, Nev. from 20 January 1969 to 2 February 1969. At that time weapon was appraised at $500.00.

References:
Hogg, Ian V. & John S. Weeks. MILITARY SMALL ARMS OF THE 20TH CENTURY. 7th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 2000.
Iannamico, Frank. UNITED STATES MACHINE GUNS: FROM THE AMERICAN 180 TO THE ZX-7. Moose Lake Publishing LLC. Henderson, NV. 2004.
Mullin, Timothy J. THE FIGHTING SUBMACHINE GUN, MACHINE PISTOL, AND SHOTGUN. Paladin Press. Boulder, Co. 1999.
Nelson, Thomas B. & Daniel D. Musgrave. THE WORLD'S MACHINE PISTOLS AND SUBMACHINE GUNS. Vol. II. T.B.N. Enterprises. Alexandria, Va. 1980.
U.S. Army Ordnance. SUBMACHINE GUNS. Vol. III. Aberdeen Proving Ground. Aberdeen, Md. 1959.

Standard barrel for weapon on rack.