Maker

John C. Garand (Inventor)

John Garand was a Civil Service employee. As the Chief Civilian Engineer at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts, he invented a semiautomatic .30 caliber rifle known as the M-1 or "the Garand." His work on this rifle let the United States enter into World War II as the only country with a semi-automatic rifle as standard issue for its troops. Garand received no monetary award other than his modest Civil Service salary for the M-1 or the numerous other technical innovations related to weapons. A bill was introduced in Congress to grant him $100,000. It did not pass; however, in 1941 he was awarded a Medal for Meritorious Service. In 1944 he received a U.S. Government Medal for Merit.

Dimensions / Weight

Dimensions: 6" H x 43.5" W x 3.5" D

Physical Description

United States M1 .30 caliber rifle with bayonet and sling

General History

The United States M1 Rifle, .30 caliber is better known as the M1 Garand. This rifle made General George Patton state, "In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised."