Machine Gun News, Volume 8, Number 7, December 1994; The Magazine for Full-Auto Enthusiasts

The format is approximately 8.5 inches by 11 inches. 64 pages, including covers. Illustrated covers. Illustrations. Tabular Data. Machine Gun News was published monthly to serve as a forum for Class III dealers and machine gun enthusiasts. Among the topics in this issue are Colt, OSS 9mm Grease Gun, Stechkin Machine Pistol, WWI Metallic Belts, and French Silencieux Unique. No one ever used the words "graceful" or "elegant" to describe the M3 submachine gun. Instead, those soldiers, sailors and Marines who carried it called the M3 a "plumber’s nightmare" or "the cake decorator." Its passing resemblance to a mechanic’s lubrication tool, however, led to the weapon’s most common and enduring nickname: "grease gun." As early as 1940, officials in the United States Army Ordnance Department began to prepare for the enormous rearmament program their nation would have to undertake if it was to win victory in the approaching world war. Certain specialized troops such as paratroopers and vehicle crewmen often required a compact, hard-hitting submachine gun for short-range work. Sometime in late 1940, an Army committee recommended the U.S. military develop a more modern submachine gun. An uncomplicated design, the M3 submachine gun consisted of only 73 separate parts. Just two major pieces (the bolt and barrel) required costly machining; almost everything else was either pressed or stamped from sheet metal. Extensive use was made of spot welding, a technique that hastened assembly but forever ruined the weapon’s aesthetic appeal. The Stechkin or APS (Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Stechkina) is a Soviet selective fire machine pistol that is chambered in 9×18mm Makarov and 9×19mm Parabellum. It was introduced into service in 1951 for use by artillery and mortar crews, tank crews and aircraft personnel, for whom a cumbersome assault rifle was deemed unnecessary, and saw service in a number of wars including the Vietnam War, Russo-Ukrainian War and Syrian Civil War. The APS was praised for its innovative concept and good controllability for its size. However, the high cost of the weapon, complex and time-consuming machining, combined with a limited effective range, large size and weight for a pistol, and fragile buttstock have been mentioned as a reason to phase it out of active service in favor of assault rifles such as the AKS-74U. The pistol bears the name of its developer, Igor Stechkin. Metallic belts from World War I were primarily used by soldiers for utility and support. They served various functions, including carrying equipment and providing a secure fit for uniforms. Types of Metallic Belts: Webbing Belts: Often made from durable materials, these belts featured metal buckles and were used for carrying ammunition and gear. Leather Belts: Some soldiers used leather belts with metal fittings for added strength and durability. Features: Buckles: Metal buckles were common, allowing for easy adjustment and secure fastening. Attachment Points: Many belts included hooks or loops for attaching pouches and other gear. Historical Context: Metallic belts were part of the standard military uniform and varied by country and unit. They reflect the practical needs of soldiers during trench warfare, where mobility and access to equipment were crucial.