Book of the Garand - Softcover

Julian S. Hatcher

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1934044253 ISBN 13: 9781934044254

Publisher: Canton Street Press, 2012

Synopsis

The Book of the Garand is the definitive chronicle of the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, also known as the M1 Garand. It was the first semi-automatic rifle generally issued to any infantry. General George S. Patton called it "the greatest battle implement ever devised" as it gave the U.S. a significant advantage in firepower over bolt-action single shot rifles used by the enemy in WWII. The Book of the Garand is Major General Julian S. Hatchers first-hand account of the U.S. War Departments search, testing, manufacturing and dissemination of the M1 Garand.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Here is more fact-filled, fascinating information about the famous M1 of the Armed Forces than has ever been published before, lavishly illustrated with rare historical and sparkling technical photos, and written by a man eminently competent to do it. The target, field or combat shooter and gunsmith will find here all the facts he wants to know about the Garand: how it works-how to fire it-where it stands as a match rifle-what metals are used in it-how to strip assemble it-what malfunctions and stoppages to expect and how to cure them-the full story of the sights (including the very newest)-the ballistics of the M1 and its cartridges. Julian Hatcher's easy, clear writting and twenty years background with the various Garands and other semi automatic rifles make the text simple and accurate. The pictures clarify every detail. The historian, collector and shooter will find that the historical section of the book will settle, and create, enough arguments to satisfy anyone. Julian Hatcher worked with Garand from the start, attended many of the tests on various Garands, Pedersens, Bangs, Whites, Colts and other semi autos that flashed into prominence between World Wars I and II. His history includes the development and analysis of every American semiauto manufactured. His inside stories range from the famous "Seventh Round Stoppage" through the "Pig Board" tests and the Johnson-Garand controversy to how the Garand worked in combat, and what it will do on the target range. Historically, this Work is based on first-hand sources and first-hand knowledge. The facts are accurate. Whatever kind of shooter, gunsmith, arms historian, collector, or just plain gun nut you are-this book will give you the answers.

About the Author

Julian Sommerville Hatcher (June 26, 1888 December 4, 1963), was a noted firearms expert and author of the early twentieth century. He is credited with several technical books and articles relating to military firearms, ballistics, and autoloading weapons. His premier works are Hatcher's Notebook and Book of the Garand, along with Textbook of Pistols and Revolvers and Pistols and Revolvers and Their Uses. He was also a pioneer in the forensic identification of firearms and their ammunition. Hatcher retired from the United States Army as a Major General. Afterward, he served as Technical Editor of the National Rifle Association's American Rifleman magazine.

Hatcher was born in Hayfield, Virginia and graduated with honors from Annapolis in 1909 [he voluntarily transferred from the Navy to the Army's coast artillery]. He married Eleanor Dashiell and together, they had three children. Chief of the Small Arms Division in the Ordnance Department and the Assistant Commandant of the Ordnance School before and at the beginning of World War II, he worked closely with Springfield Armory as an engineering trouble-shooter in resolving early production issues associated with the early iterations of the M1 Garand Rifle.

Edition details

• Publisher: Canton Street Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1934044253
• ISBN 13: 9781934044254
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 292