The U.S. Carbine Caliber .30 David Marshall Williams Prototype Separted from the team working on what has come to be known as Winchester's 2nd prototype, Williams designed and built his own version. Whereas the 2nd prototype was completed and submitted in time for the 15 Sep 1941 light rifle trials, Williams did not complete his prototype until December 1941. Winchester's 2nd prototype, selected as the Carbine Caliber .30, M1 on 30 Sep 1941, was already in the first stages of production. Though Williams failed to meet the deadline thereby eliminating his design from the competition the prototype he produced was considered by Puglsey to be an excellent design. Williams utilized the design in the development of a squad automatic rifle that likely would have replaced the M1918 Browning BAR had it not been for the end of WWII and Ordnance's loss of funding for new weapons. After Williams left Winchester the design was used by Winchester to develop another "light rifle" for the trials that led to the adoption of the M16 rifle. The eventual legend of "Carbine" Williams is addressed elsewhere on this website with five pages devoted to this legend and the firearms actually designed by Williams while he was in prison, in the 1930's after his release from prison, during his time at Winchester and beyond. The story of Williams and Winchester is addressed in more detail as it related to the "legend". What this research revealed is an interesting story with his involvement in the development of the M1 Carbine being only a very small part of that story. The story of the Legend of "Carbine" Williams starts HERE. The .30 caliber Carbine Prototype Designed by Williams Whereas the design for the first Winchester light rifle prototype borrowed parts of from the design of the Williams 7 1/2 lb. Browning rifle, the Williams light rifle design was a smaller version of the Williams 7 1/2 lb. Browning Rifle with only a few changes. The most obvious being the redesign of the receiver with the safety at the rear. 7 1/2 Lb Prototype, .30 M2 caliber, Winchester Military Rifle (photo courtesy of the Cody Museum, Cody, WY in cooperation with Larry Ruth) The safety is a lever located at the rear of the receiver. Rotating the lever up held the bolt to the rear. Front Sight & Barrel Band Short stroke gas piston Note the rails extending out from either side of the barrel to support the slide Slide Safety, vent hole in receiver ring, note the opening running lengthwise down the top of the receiver Bolt Trigger Group Buttplate Patents for the Williams Prototype Patents issued to David M. Williams, assignor to Winchester Repeating Arms under their various names. Application Date Patent # Patent Description Patent Approved 03 Jan 1942 US2323954 Fixed Barrel Band 13 Jul 1943 03 Jan 1942 US2350484 Stock cut for Sling 06 Jun 1944 04 Feb 1942 US2325646 Receiver and Trigger Plate 03 Aug 1943 04 Feb 1942 US2353800 Recoil Absorption 18 Jul 1944 04 Feb 1942 US2355768 Gas Operated Self Loading Firearm 15 Aug 1944 13 Feb 1942 US2355769 Cartridge Deflection 15 Aug 1944 21 Apr 1942 US2361519 Firing Mechanism 31 Oct 1944 21 Jan 1943 US2345083 Firearm Takedown 28 Mar 1944 26 Feb 1943 US2373213 Receiver Assembly Firearm 10 Apr 1945 29 Feb 1943 US2366823 Firing Mechanism 09 Jan 1945 02 Nov 1944 US2412663 Cartridge Extraction 17 Dec 1946 Firearm Location Catalog Number Prototype Carbine, Williams Design Cody Firearms Museum 1988.8.421 Should you have questions, assistance is available on our Discussion Forum. The Discussion Forum also serves as a reference desk for the more advanced material that could easily overwhelm a website and is often subject to opinions that may vary due to a lack of original documentation. A number of researchers and authors are present on the forums, helping others and seeking information for various research projects. © Copyright 2012- The Carbine Collectors Club. All Rights Reserved.