historicalfirearms:Smith & Wesson 9x19mm Experimental Prototype CarbineI recently came across so
historicalfirearms:Smith & Wesson 9x19mm Experimental Prototype CarbineI recently came across some photographs of two of Smith & Wesson’s prototype 9x19mm carbines. I wrote about the carbines a few years ago but only black and white photographs were available. There new photographs feature serial numbers 17 and 21.The carbine was developed in the mid-1940s, with Joseph W. Norman, Smith & Wesson’s chief technician patenting the design in 1943. It wasn’t until 1945 that they were tested by US Army Ordnance. A photo of ‘X17′ serial number with its integral magazine well and trigger guard (source)The carbines were chambered in 9x19mm rather than the US’s standard pistol round, .45 ACP, and fed from British 32-round STEN magazines. They used a locked breech, rather than blowback, action. Interestingly while Smith’s patent for the carbine’s lock work and hammer was granted, another patenting the locking action appears to have been rejected - I have so far been unable to find it.Smith & Wesson maker’s mark on the barrel (source)When tested at the Aberdeen Proving Ground the prototype was found to be a decent weapon, withstanding the harsh environmental tests well. While the extractor and firing pin fractured during the endurance test the Ordnance Corps’ report noted the carbine was simple in design and construction and would be cheap to manufacture. However, they noted that the US military had no need for a weapon of its type, already having the M1 Carbine and the M1 and M3 submachine guns, and recommended no further testing. Check out my earlier article on the Smith & Wesson carbine here.Sources:Image Sources: 1 2The Smith & Wesson 9mm Carbines, F. Iannamico, Small Arms Review, (source)If you enjoy the content please consider supporting Historical Firearms through Patreon! -- source link