The M-1A1 Carbine, AKA the paratrooper model, complete w/folding stock. This is the only WW2 era weapon I own. Mine is an Inland, and it was appraised at $10,000.00 at a gun show a few years ago in New Orleans. My Dad bought it for $25.00 back in the early 70s when the Louisiana State Police was selling off it's WW2/Korean War era inventory to make room in the armory for the new fangled M-16s and AR-15s. They even had a number of Thompsons for sale, but they went quick. Inland, a division of General Motors was the sole manufacturer of the M-1A1s, so if you see any carbines with the folding stock without the Inland stamp on it, it was modified after the war. Folding stocks were sold with kits to modify regular M-1 Carbines. Out of the 6,121,309 M-1 Carbines (of all variations) manufactured during the war, only 140,000 were of the paratrooper types. As far as accessories, all I have is a magazine pouch that is mounted on the fold out stock. I also have about a dozen extra magazines and maybe 1,000 rounds of ball ammo, you know, just in case of a Zombie Apocalypse or something like that. All I need to complete my collection is the corresponding bayonet and scabbard. So far, the cheapest one I can find in reasonable good condition runs about $400.00 at the gun shows. That's a lot for a pig sticker. I'll keep looking.
For folks interested. From TM 9-2200, 11 October 1943 (superseded TM 9-2200 dated 12 June 1942) "Carbine, Cal. .30, M1A1" Kind regards, always, Jim.
The M1A1 was used by British airborne as well. I've seen photos of it in use by 1st Airborne at Arnhem and 2nd Para Bde in Athens. I may be misremembering, but I think the Chindits had some too.
Didn't think bayonets and bars were fitted during the vast majority of WW2? if it has, it's likely been refitted post-war.
Off the net, Wiki in particular. I have mine stashed away in safe keeping at the house. It's not in the first-line of home defense armaments. Have plenty more bullet launchers at the ready, in case of the assorted home invasion attempt, zombie apocalypse or your basic break down of society. I will have something for the have-nots when they come around.
Seen pix of their use with the units you mentioned. Most US issued weapons that I've seen them with has been Tommy guns, but also with the occasional M1A1 as you mentioned. An Army buddy of mine while we were in Alaska at Ft. Richardson told me that his dad carried one in Vietnam. Not in the bush, but in Saigon when he was in some rear echelon job. He was on his 3rd tour, and was an SF type so this was an cush assignment compared to earlier ones. Anyway, it was a coveted status symbol for them, second only to the Tommy gun.
Major Freddie Lumley, Chindit and father of British actress Joanna Lumley, in Burma, 1944: British Forces - The Chindits
One from "AIRBORNE EQUIPMENT A History of its Development" by John Weeks of 505th PIR in North Africa, plus more pages from good old TM 9-2200. Kind regards, always, Jim.
Oh, hell yeah. Along with a large number of friends and family. To the teeth, that is the only way to be armed. Do you want me to fix bayonets? I can comply. Bobby, do you have body armor and a skull protector? Mine is somewhat afraid of shotguns, so I keep hand weapons available nearby for you her, particularly revolvers. Point and pull the trigger