But where did it start before the Garand?
The process took one step, one development, and one cartridge at a time.
To answer this question, I spent some time going through U.S.
Ordnance documents that detail this process.
The U.S. military opted not to put any of these into production.
Meanwhile, Americas arms industry was in full swing by 1918.
The expectations of marksmanship for the individual rifleman had decreased measurably from 1914 to 1918.
In the short term however, cartridges smaller than .30 caliber would continue to be greeted with skepticism.
Pedersens semi-auto rifle concept featured a unique toggle-joint locking system.
Approximately 200 rounds were fired in this demonstration and the rifle functioned very well.
What Were the Goals?
Americas self-loading rifles were not developed in a vacuum.
The Ordnance Bureau provided rifle designers with a detailed list of their wants and expectations.
The following is a condensed list of those expectations, developed in February 1921.
It must be simple and rugged in construction and easy of manufacture.
The following features are considered necessary:
(a) The rifle must be simple, strong and compact.
Weights should be well balanced and so placed that the essential strength is given to components requiring it.
Ease of manufacture should be a guiding factor in preparing the design.
The magazine may be detachable, but this is not considered desirable.
It is preferable that the bolt or block be positively locked to the barrel at the moment of firing.
The capacity of the magazine should not exceed ten rounds.
The bolt or block should remain open when the last cartridge in the magazine has been fired.
In case a detachable magazine is used the insertion of a new magazine should not release the bolt.
The rifle should remain cocked and ready for firing when the safety rig is unlocked.
(j) The accuracy of the rifle should be comparable to that of the present service shoulder rifle.
Expectations vs.
Reality
When the M1 Garand was adopted in 1936, there was no fully automatic variant of that rifle.
Eventually the M14 was developed and added selective-fire capability during the 1950s.
In Subsection (h) the Board demands a rifle of not more than 10 pounds.
The.276 Pedersen rifleweighed in at a little over 8 pounds.
The M1 Garand would be accepted for service at 9.5 pounds.
Its available with either a classic walnut stock or a rugged black composite stock.
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