A year-long contest amongst America's military and civilian gun designers led to the adoption of a last-minute Winchester entry as "US Carbine, Caliber .30, M1" in Ocober, 1941. From the first trickle of Inlands in June, 1942, through to a combined production peak of over 500,000 units per month in December, 1943, over six million carbines were manufactured by a total of ten prime contractors, until program termination in 1945. War Baby is an in-depth account of the carbine's prduction history, component variations, production methods, subcontractors, and markings. Perhaps most importantly, the integration of components among the prime contractos, a process often resorted to during wartime to keep production moving, is addressed in detail. So don't trade off that "incorrect" carbine until you read what Larry Ruth has to say in this book. 8 1/2 X 11, hardcover with dust jacket, photos, illus, 512 pp.