Between the years 1941 and 1945 there were over 6 Million M1 Carbinses produced by 10 different government contractors (Winchester, Standard Products, Underwood-Elliot-Fisher, Quality Hardware Machine, National Postal Meter, Rock-Ola, IBM, Irwin-Pedersen, Inland of GM, and Saginaw Steering Gear of GM).
Developed as a replacement for the M1911 & 1911 A1 Service Pistol. The U.S. Military had a need to arm second line and non-combat (support) troops with a shoulder based weapon.
The M1 Carbine saw action in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
