Need help identifying part

[jond41403]

Hey guys, was hoping someone out there could recognize this part and tell me what it goes to. I'm 99.9% sure it is a firearm part of some kind. It came in a large lot of carbine and garand parts. This piece and another part which has been identified as an M3 grease gun part we're in the mix. Any help is very much appreciated, thanks

[painter777]

M3 / M3A1 Mag Catch Protector

Pic 10:
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1056468683

https://www.apexgunparts.com/m3-grea...otector-g.html

[jond41403]

Wow Charlie you are the man! I even looked at an exploded diagram of an M3A1 and M3 grease gun and didn't see any part that resembled that so I don't know how this escaped me because naturally, after BAR identify the spring as being to a grease gun,, I naturally thought to look at the grease gun exploded diagram But didn't see anything that I thought was even close haha.Thanks brother!

[browningautorifle]

This piece and another part which has been identified as an M3 grease gun part we're in the mix.

That is correct, mag catch guard for M3 SMG

[jond41403]

a big thank you to BAR and Charlie! Those parts would have driven me nuts without knowing what they were haha. Now they will go in a tiny little bag with the correct labels. Thanks again guys

[painter777]

JD,
It was a late fix after problems in the field were reported of mags accidently being dropped. Prolly why it doesn't show up on the early exploded diagrams.

Found this in WIKI:
After new complaints were raised about accidental magazine releases and failure of the wire buttstock to remain in place in the collapsed position, two additional changes were made to M3 production and approved by Ordnance on 31 August 1944.[12] This included a small sheet metal guard around the magazine release button, and the inclusion of a stop between the two rods forming the wire stock at the butt end.[12]

[jond41403]

Thanks Charlie! That is some good information to know. You guys are the best, I always learn something every time I talk to you guys. Thanks again

[browningautorifle]

accidental magazine releases

Initial mod was a simple sling loop wire welded across the button to keep things away from it.

[painter777]

Thx Jim,
I couldn't find a picture showing the 1st fix and struggled how to type it clearly to be understood. So I just stayed on the subject of his part.

[jond41403]

That's a pretty cool attempt at a first fix though. Cuz usually the simplest thing works but not in that case I don't guess. Very neat, the M3 grease gun is one firearm I have just not really studied or read about much at all. They are cool as all heck. I would love to have fired one like BAR has