I was recently in Beijing, and visited the Military Museum of the People’s Revolution of China. In addition to wonderfully delightful propaganda, the museum includes an impressive array of weaponry from around the world, including many US and Japanese arms “liberated” by the People’s Liberation Army over the course of the past several decades. Their collection of modern small arms is quite impressive, perhaps second only to the NRA’s National Firearms Museum (at least, that I’ve seen).
One particular item, though, caught my attention. It was an M1 Garand, but the plaque next to the rifle said it was made in China. What? I looked carefully, and noticed unusual markings on the oprod and gas cylinder. That made me wonder what was on the receiver, so I got my camera up as high as I could to get a shot at the receiver heel, and here’s what I got:
Anyone know anything about these?
Well remember during WWII China was on our side, we did send the AVG (American Volunteer Group) there to fly P-40’s and serve technically as volunteers. I am sure somewhere along the way we did supply M1’s or give them rights to manufacture some under some of their companies at the time.
I’m Chinese so I guess I’ll take a shot at it.
The sign next to the M1 says “中国重庆造”
Chongqing was the WWII war-time capital of Nationalist China. With so much aid from the United States going over to the Nationalists through the Burma road and transport planes flying “over the hump” from India, it is very likely that the tooling for M1 Garand production was transferred to supplement Nationalist armories.
Just a small addition to the previous comment.
I have a couple of M1 clips that are stamped with segmented circle I have seen described as the ‘bent spoke wheel’ symbol; I was able to identify it as a symbol used by the Nationalist Chinese.
weird that symbol is also in a lot of native american art as well
It is undoubtadly a copy. Many economically chalenged countries copied what ever they needed or could turn a profit with even when it did not originate there. The simbol was an asian symbol first. Hitler was a poser/copier. I believe it might have religious roots too. At least it will make a great conversation piece. Way to go Gun-Toter!
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The flyflot (bth the clockwise one and the revers, as shown here) were used as early Christian symbols as well. Both are found in the catacombs under Rome. It is only the Nazi use that has brought this ancient symbol into direpute.
Just wondering what the value of one of these could be?????????????