About this ebook
Influenced by the German MP 40 and the British Sten, the .45-caliber M3 “Grease Gun” served as the primary US submachine gun for almost a half-century.
Designed to replace the expensive Thompson SMG, the M3 was issued to airborne troops and others during World War II thanks to its compact design with sliding wire stock. An improved variant, the M3A1, was favored by armored crews right up to the beginning of the 1990s, seeing service in 1991's Operation Desert Storm. In Korea and Vietnam, reconnaissance troops and special-operations forces were at times armed with the M3A1 – also available in a suppressed version – and it was the first SMG issued to the US counterterrorist unit Delta Force.
Featuring full-color artwork, first-hand accounts, and archive and close-up photographs, this engaging study examines how the deadly M3 provided US forces with close-range automatic firepower during World War II and for many decades afterwards.
Designed to replace the expensive Thompson SMG, the M3 was issued to airborne troops and others during World War II thanks to its compact design with sliding wire stock. An improved variant, the M3A1, was favored by armored crews right up to the beginning of the 1990s, seeing service in 1991's Operation Desert Storm. In Korea and Vietnam, reconnaissance troops and special-operations forces were at times armed with the M3A1 – also available in a suppressed version – and it was the first SMG issued to the US counterterrorist unit Delta Force.
Featuring full-color artwork, first-hand accounts, and archive and close-up photographs, this engaging study examines how the deadly M3 provided US forces with close-range automatic firepower during World War II and for many decades afterwards.
Influenced by the German MP 40 and the British Sten, the .45-caliber M3 “Grease Gun” served as the primary US submachine gun for almost a half-century.
Designed to replace the expensive Thompson SMG, the M3 was issued to airborne troops and others during World War II thanks to its compact design...
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6 reviews
JOSEE HENRIQUE DA SILVA CANUTO
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October 29, 2025
OTIMO.A
About the author
Leroy Thompson has trained and advised military and police special-operations units around the world, focusing especially on the tactical use of firearms. He has had more than 45 books published and appeared as a weapons expert on TV.
Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on diverse subject.
Alan Gilliland, a contributor to more than 70 Osprey titles, notably in the Weapon series, writes, illustrates and publishes fiction (www.ravensquill.com), as well as illustrating for a variety of publishers (alangillilandillustration.blogspot.com).
Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on diverse subject.
Alan Gilliland, a contributor to more than 70 Osprey titles, notably in the Weapon series, writes, illustrates and publishes fiction (www.ravensquill.com), as well as illustrating for a variety of publishers (alangillilandillustration.blogspot.com).
Leroy Thompson has trained and advised military and police special-operations units around the world, focusing especially on the tactical use of firearms. He has had more than 45 books published and appeared as a weapons expert on TV.
Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an il...
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