Army/General issue means that it was adopted for use. It can be a surplus military device without having been GI.
The United States military captured a number of these devices during the war, and extensively tested the concept and the actual equipment. It is very possible that these captured pieces were remarked with US markings as much of the captured German equipment was. They had barrels that would bend 30 degrees up to 90 degrees (the latter was found to be fairly useless due to the drastic loss of velocity required).
No such device was ever adopted for general use by the US, to the best of my knowledge. However, I am not expert enough, and will bow to the wisdom of the more experienced Milsurp collectors.
vellnueve, very gracious response.
Having been a "GI", I have known "GI" to mean Government issue, not general issue.
I never said it was it was "GENERAL ISSUE".
Furthermore, it wasn't "RE-MARKED" captured enemy stuff, because it was custom fit to the barrel of the M1 allowing the extension to slip over the front sight and rotate into position and lock on, much like the Bayonette on a Mosin Nagant. It snapped into place with a retaining device that clipped into the front site. It was made specifically for this gun, not an altered captured piece. Even the metal finish matched the M1 finish, and it was not re-done, to the best of my observation and comparison.
I've Googled "M1 carbine shoots around corners, barrel extension, curved barrel adaptor", and got many hits that indicate the US Army used several such devices on various arms, especially for tank crewmen to use through the ports of the tank to defend from enemy soldiers mounting the tank.
I havent found a picture yet, or exact production numbers, but I havent added "Winchester" to my search yet, and it may be produced at the same spot the carbine was, since as I said the finish matched, and was original, and showed slight use, as .if it had been used
I'm 58, and I admit I have a lot to learn. I was however MUCH more knowing about "everything", when I was 24, so maybe you're right!
You're into Mil-Surps. Before you make a statemen t like, "I doubt it was G.I.", see what "G.I." means to the general military population. Then, using your knowledge, help me to find out more abaout this gun and accessory, before you dismiss it as.... "maybe a re-marked enemy weapon" or not likely to be G.I.
I look forward to any info you pass on with any reference, but I'd rather not just get your first "opinion" that you "DOUBT" it was "G.I.".
I might have gotten a bit "hot" from your "somewhat" know-it-all response, and I'm glad now I edited out half my comments to you. Maybe before you jump in with an answer you should ask yourself... "do I REALLY know what I'm talking about here" before you post, and "am I adding anthing worthwhile to this thread with my comment."
I know you have a strong drive to comment on EVERYTHING posted on this forum, as evidenced by your post count. Let me share the words of Ben Franklin with you. "Better to remain silent, and be thought a fool, than to speak and prove it."
Not calling you a fool. I'm just saying you have a habit of posting first about almost everything, when you would serve yourself better by listening and learning sometimes before you try to show us how bright you are with your comments and vast experience.
I was just like you in my twenties, but another famous American, Will Rogers, said once, "When I was 18 my father was an idiot. I was surprised by how much "HE" learned by the time I became an adult."
I have to admit, I seldom read your posts, because I've come to feel you post just to show off or try to impress me with your encyclopedia like mind.
Try a little "restraint" and more thought to your rapid responses, and I think I for one would respect your obvious enthusiasm and bright mind far more.
Oh how I wish I was 24 again and knew it all like I did then, instead of now at 58 when I realize how very little I know about most anything.
You're a good kid, but you don't always have to try to prove to us how smart you are.
Bill