Description
Add a strong piece of Vietnam War-era U.S. Army small-arms documentation to your collection with this Technical Manual TM 9-1005-229-35 for the .45 Caliber M3 and M3A1 Submachine Guns. Dated September 19, 1969, this manual covers direct support, general support, and depot maintenance for the famous M3 “Grease Gun” and its improved M3A1 variant. The title page lists Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3, W/E – 1005-672-1767 and Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1, W/E – 1005-672-1771.
This is a DS, GS, and Depot Maintenance Manual Including Repair Parts and Special Tools Lists. It is a deeper support-level manual, not a basic operator booklet. It was written for maintenance personnel working beyond normal operator and organizational maintenance levels.
Historical Significance
The M3 and M3A1 Submachine Guns are among the most recognizable American small arms of World War II and the early Cold War. Known to collectors as the “Grease Gun,” the M3 was developed as a simpler, lower-cost alternative to earlier submachine guns such as the Thompson. It used stamped and welded construction, a compact layout, and a telescoping wire stock.
The M3 family had a long service life. The NRA National Firearms Museum notes that approximately 650,000 M3 and M3A1 submachine guns were manufactured by General Motors’ Guide Lamp Division during World War II, with additional M3A1 production by Ithaca Gun Co. during the Korean War. The same source notes that these weapons continued in U.S. service through Korea and Vietnam.
That gives this 1969 maintenance manual strong collector value. It documents the Army’s support system for a weapon that began as a World War II production solution and remained relevant through Korea, Vietnam-era service, armored vehicle use, and Cold War inventory support.
The M3 and M3A1 Submachine Guns
The M3 and M3A1 were compact .45 caliber automatic shoulder weapons built for practical military use. The 1969 manual’s parts and repair sections cover both the original M3 and the simplified M3A1, with separate exploded-view coverage for major groups such as the bolt and guide rod group, trigger housing group, trigger and sear group, receiver assembly, flash hider assembly, and related tools and equipment.
The M3A1 is especially interesting because it simplified the original M3 design. Historical museum reference notes that the M3A1 eliminated the retracting handle, used a finger hole for cocking, enlarged the ejection port, added a magazine-catch guard, and redesigned the stock for added utility.
For collectors, this manual is useful because it supports comparison between the M3 and M3A1 at the component level. It fits well with displays focused on World War II vehicle crews, Korean War small arms, Vietnam-era armor and support weapons, and .45 ACP U.S. military firearms.
What This Manual Covers
As TM 9-1005-229-35, this manual covers direct support, general support, and depot maintenance for the M3 and M3A1. The manual states that it provides maintenance information beyond the tools, equipment, personnel, or supplies normally available to operator and organizational maintenance.
This manual is especially relevant for:
- M3 Grease Gun documentation
- M3A1 Submachine Gun documentation
- Direct support and general support maintenance research
- Depot maintenance reference collections
- Repair parts and special tools list research
- World War II, Korean War, Vietnam-era, and Cold War small-arms displays
- U.S. Army ordnance technical manual collections
- Collectors completing an M3 / M3A1 manual set
The table of contents lists sections for repair parts, special tools and equipment, troubleshooting, preembarkation inspections, general maintenance, removal and installation, depot maintenance procedures, repair instructions, final inspection, references, and the direct support, general support, and depot maintenance repair parts and special tools list.
Key Features
- Technical Manual TM 9-1005-229-35
- Covers Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3, W/E (FSN 1005-672-1767)
- Covers Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3A1, W/E (FSN 1005-672-1771)
- Dated September 19, 1969
- Direct Support, General Support, and Depot Maintenance Manual
- Includes Repair Parts and Special Tools Lists
- Supersedes the earlier TM 9-1005-229-35 dated December 14, 1964
- Strong World War II, Korean War, Vietnam-era, and Cold War collector appeal
- Excellent reference for M3 Grease Gun and M3A1 collectors
Why This Manual Matters
The M3 Grease Gun represents a different kind of American small-arms history. It was not built for elegance. It was built for speed of production, compact carry, simple maintenance, and military practicality.
This manual preserves the support side of that story. It shows how the Army maintained, repaired, inspected, and supported the M3 and M3A1 long after World War II. It is a strong addition to any collection focused on U.S. submachine guns, armored crew weapons, .45 ACP military firearms, or Cold War technical publications.
It pairs well with M3 and M3A1 displays, .45 ACP ammunition references, World War II armored crew equipment, Korean War small-arms collections, Vietnam-era vehicle crew displays, and U.S. Army technical manual libraries.
About This Manual
This listing is for Technical Manual TM 9-1005-229-35, covering the .45 Cal M3 and M3A1 Submachine Guns, dated September 1969, with listed stock numbers 1005-672-1767 and 1005-672-1771.
This listing is for the manual only unless otherwise stated. No submachine gun, firearm, receiver, barrel, magazine, ammunition, sling, tools, repair parts, storage case, or additional accessories are included unless specifically shown or noted.
Ideal For
This manual is a strong fit for:
- M3 Grease Gun collectors
- M3A1 Submachine Gun collectors
- U.S. Army technical manual collections
- World War II small-arms displays
- .45 caliber submachine gun reference libraries
- Direct support, general support, and depot maintenance manual collectors
- Museum and archival reference collections
- Collectors completing an M3 / M3A1 technical manual set
Approx length 11", Approx width 8", Approx height .5", Approx weight 1lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item's general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times