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Title:	LAUNCHER, GRENADE -  U.S. GRENADE LAUNCHER T148E1 40MM SN# 127
Maker/Manufacturer:	SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Date of Manufacture:	C 1960
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 2361
Measurements:	OL: 74.9CM 29 1/2" BL: 30.4CM 12" 6.72 lbs. unloaded; 8.50 lbs. loaded.

Object Description:

U.S. GRENADE LAUNCHER T148E1 40MM SN# 127
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Ma. - The T148E1 Launcher is a three-round, magazine-fed, percussion-fired, semiautomatic, shoulder type weapon that is capable of launching an antipersonnel fragmentation type projectile. The sighting system (unity optic and open) is located on the right side of the weapon and affords range settings of 50 - 285 meters. The T148E1 Launcher is composed basically of six major subassemblies and groups. These subassemblies and groups consist of (1) receiver assembly (2) barrel group (3) stock group (4) magazine assembly (5) trigger guard assembly (6) sight assembly. Operation of this weapon is as follows: A manually operated safety, located on the right side of the receiver is pushed into the position marked "S"' this action blocks the trigger and prevents firing of the launcher. A loaded magazine is then inserted into the receiver, against the driving spring, and pushed from right to left until the first chamber is aligned with the barrel. At this point, the desired range is estimated and set. The safety is pushed into the position marked "F" thus, the launcher is ready to be fired. A double-action trigger mechanism is used in this weapon so that, when the trigger is squeezed, th hammer is depressed back until it slides off the sear; then, the hammer, rotating forward, strikes the firing pin - thus, the primer is initiated and the first round is fired. After the projectile leaves the magazine, the magazine is free to move to the next chamber. Now, any error in range estimation is corrected, and the firing operation is continued until the magazine is empty. The magazine can be reloaded while it remains in the weapon. Functioning of the magazine is as follows: The rounds are inserted into the chambers and then pressed inwardly. When the rounds are completely chambered, the extractors are locked in place. After the rounds have been fired, the extractor releases are depressed and the fired cases are extracted and ejected. The cases occupying the first and second chambers are extracted and ejected from the right side of the weapon, whereas, the case occupying the third chamber is extracted and ejected for the left side of the weapon. Indexing of the magazine is accomplished in the following manner: Three spring-loaded indexing levers are located on the underside of the magazine; when the rounds are inserted into the chambers, these levers are forced downward by the projectile rotating band. When the magazine has been completely inserted into the receiver, the retainer prevents the magazine fro being ejected from the receiver. As each round is fired the lever moves upward (it is no longer held down by the rotating band) and the magazine is allowed to index to the next chamber. Functioning of the sight is as follows: A manually operated lock is rotated, counterclockwise, one complete turn. This allows the slide to be rotated manually to the desired range position. This range setting can then be locked in position by manually rotating the lock, clockwise, one complete turn. Rifling, right-hand uniform twist; 1 turn in 48. Weapon weighs approximately 6.72 lbs. unloaded and 8.5 lbs. loaded. Sight is missing on this specimen.

Markings:
Receiver: SPRINGFIELD ARMORY/LAUNCHER T148E1/U.S./127.

Launcher transferred to the Museum on 31 October 1961. At that time it was appraised at $946.00.

HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES:
1JUL57 - 31DEC57 - "Intensive industrial engineering work on the T148 type launcher during this period was directed toward the preparation of technical data for this item. It was anticipated that product design would be proved out by the fabrication of a quantity of items, thereby resulting in a technical data package suitable for procurement and production. Studies relating to methods of manufacture, material, and the use of investment castings continued, the overall activity being toward the objective of providing a weapon incorporating the latest technology."
1JAN58 - 30JUN58 - "The pilot lot of Launchers was comp1JAN59 - 30JUN59 - "The Launcher T148 weapon pilot lot production program was suspended by higher Headquarters in lieu of initiating a program on the XM79 launcher."
1JUL60 - 31DEC60 - "The T148E-1 and T148E-2 programs were terminated. Arctic test of the E-2 was cancelled and R&D was requested to bring their unfinished work on the E-2 to an orderly conclusion."
1JUL63 - 30JUN64 - "Automotive Engineering Investigation Studies. Six hand-held T148E1 40mm grenade launchers were redesigned for remote control, cupola-mounted application. The remote control problems were solved in the mechanism. A total of six systems along with twelve three-round magazines were function tested and shipped to ATAC to complete the program. Springfield Armory had offered technical assistance to ATAC when tests are conducted. ATAC had not requested assistance by the end of the period."

References:
SA-NM20-2719 - Launcher, T148E1, by A.J. Panzica, 13 January 1958.