Second World War M1 Carbine Semi-Automatic Rifle

Of all the small arms developed and used by the U.S. during the Second World War, one of the most produced was the M1 carbine. From the men who designed it to the various manufacturers that made it, it serves as a prime example of speedy engineering and wartime mass production by U.S. industry during the 1940s. One of the men responsible for the development of the design that would later become the M1 carbine was David Marshall Williams, who had been convicted for the death of a sheriff's deputy. Serving out his sentence, Williams worked out the fundamentals of the short-stroke piston system that would later be used in the M1 carbine. His work at the time also garnered attention from several firearm manufacturers, including Winchester Repeating Arms, which hired him in 1938. That design became the basis for what would, eventually, become the M1 rifle—commonly called the “Garand” after its inventor, John Cantius Garand.
Weighing in under 6 lbs., loaded, and feeding from a detachable magazine, the M1 carbine was not intended as a front-line combat rifle, but rather as a suitable arm for those not intended to be in the front lines or who would be hampered by the weight of the 9-lb. M1 rifle in their tasks, like cooks, MPs, mortar men and medics. Despite this, the M1 carbine did make its way to the front lines during the Second World War, where it proved to be a light and easily controllable combat arm.
The letters “WRA GHD” stamped on an M1 stock indicate that the stock was manufactured by Winchester and accepted by ordnance inspector Guy H. Drewry. The “GHD” cartouche, for Col. Guy H. Drewry, is the most commonly found on Winchester M1s. The serial number 1028994gives a production date between 09/42 – 02/44
The story known about this particular rifle is that it was used by a U.S. soldier but was captured by the Japanese, then recaptured by Australian soldiers. On the handle are Japanese inscriptions, whilst on the strap there is the name R. STRAUSS VX 114111. Captain Ray William STRAUSS VX 114111 served in the 42nd Australian Infantry Battalion including at Bougainville PNG.