Worn and broken parts were updated and replaced from stocks to sights, and many rifles were re-barreled.
War-weary M1 rifles were made new again, quietly waiting for the next conflict that was sure to come.
The M1 rifle was at the top of that list.
The M1 rifle with South Vietnamese (ARVN) troops in October 1963 during the Vietnam War. Image: NARA
Once removed from the bag, the M1 rifle was ready for action with no tedious cleaning required.
Also developed were special hermetically sealed metal cannisters for M1 Canning.
In August, Congress appropriated $12 billion for Americas armed response to communist aggression.
Preparing for the long winter of the Cold War: “Canning” M1 rifles after World War II. Image: SANHS
There was little in the form of conventional forces and weapons to deploy to Korea.
Even so, the M1 Garand was ready to fight for freedom once again.
(Dont miss my article about theBAR in the Korean War.)
M1 rifles were placed in long-term storage for use in a national emergency, delivery to the National Guard or shipment to allies. Image: SANHS
In many ways, the M1 rifle faced some of its greatest combat challenges during the Korean War.
(Check out my article discussing theM1C and M1D sniper rifles in the Korean War.)
The rifle is sufficiently accurate for the purpose intended.
A Marine and his rifle are a dominating force. Here Marines are shown during the Korean War with M1 rifles during 1952. Image: NARA
Its record of high serviceability remained unimpaired during the worst storms of the winter.
Its durability is the great reason why it stands in such high favor with the men.
They no longer mind the weight of the piece because of its consistent performance.
The M1 equipped most of the United Nations infantry units in the Korean War. These men are from the Columbian Battalion. Image: NARA
Italy even developed its most significant post-war infantry rifle, the BM 59, from the American M1 Garand.
confirm you read our article Sibling Rivalry?
The Italian BM 59 about this fascinating rifle.
During the Korean War, these U.S. Marines rode with their M1 rifles into battle in a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw helicopter. Image: NARA
Prior to the end of WWII, theJapanese tried to copy the M1 Garand rifle.
Ultimately, they got the real things post-war.
This was particularly true in the many small brushfire conflicts that marked the Cold War period.
One of the approximately 7,500 soldiers of the “Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea”. Image: SANHS
By the early 1960s, the M1 rifle was at war again, this time in South Vietnam.
A group of 400 U.S. Special Forces advisors went to Vietnam in May 1961.
By the end of 1963, that number had grown to 16,000 U.S. troops in country.
Men of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force armed with M1 rifles during 1958. Image: NARA
Who knows what the future holds for the greatest battle implement ever devised?
A soldier of the Greek Expeditionary Force in Korea. Hellenic troops fought bravely throughout the war and received two U.S. Presidential Unit Citations for bravery. Image: SANHS
In Vietnam, a U.S. advisor of the 77th Ranger Detachment demonstrates off-hand firing to ARVN troops, October 1962. Image: NARA
U.S. troops of the Berlin Brigade observe East German construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961. Image: NARA
