M4 - Survival Rifle

[BJD 2548]

I picked up this rifle from a Colt collector, when I was buying 2 Colt
S.A.A's. It was sitting on a table & I actually had no idea what it was until I picked it up & took a closer look. I still had no idea what it was, but I bought it anyway, cause it was Military and I'm collecting military. Go figure!

So far, I've found out that it was supposedly rushed into production during WWII as a survival weapon for downed pilots. Who or where it originated from, I haven't been able to find out.

I'm also looking for an original carrying case or pouch, as it certainly must hve been issued with one. I'm hoping someone will be able to help in this regard. So here goes:

RIFLE SURVIVAL CAL. 22 M4 - Stamped on left side of frame above wire stock.
Serial No: 2667 - Stamped on Barrel & front of Receiver & on Rear of Bolt.
Caliber .22 Hornet - Bolt Action - 4 shot Detachable Magazine
Sights: Front post with protective ears. Lyman 55H Peep Sight (Fully Adjustable)
Detachable 14" inch Barrel & Collapsible Wire Stock.
Weight: 4 lbs.
Markings: Canadian Acceptance Stamp - C with arrow inside - On front of receiver to the right of serial no.
Manufacturer:
H&R Arms Co., Ltd.
Drummondville, P.Q. Can.
Stamped on left side of receiver above bolt release screw. This can be seen with a magnifier, as the stamping is very shallow.

This rifle is restricted in Canada, because of the detachable 14" barrel. It can only be taken to an approved range for target practice & cannot be used for hunting. Pity!, cause it's very accurate out to 100 yards

I have not been able to find out any info about H&R Arms Co, in Canada during the war. I assume that it was manufactured under license, here in Canada? Nor do I know to which services this rifle was issued. I'm hoping someone will be able to give me more detailed info.
Photos attached:

[BJD 2548]

Photo #2

[BJD 2548]

Photo #3

[BJD 2548]

Photo #4

[BJD 2548]

Photo #5

[BJD 2548]

Photo #6

[Steve Richards]

I know nothing about your rifle, but it is certainly interesting. A very good find.

Steve

[John Sabato]

I believe the information you have on your M4 survival rifle is correct. In the USA, it would have to be registered as a Short Barreled Rifle (Under 16" in barrel length) under the National Firearms Act of 1934 and a $200 tax would have to be paid to own it, unless it has been declared exempt as C&R, but I don't think that is the case..

Harrington and Richardson was a relatively small sporting arms producer in the USA (New England) during my youth... they got involved in military cotracts and produced M-14 rifles and parts for a while. They went out of business a couple of decades ago. I do not think that your rifle was produced in Canada, but imported from the USA. The M4 was USAF issue at one time.

[BJD 2548]

Thanks for your comments!

John;

Thanks to John Spangler of Antique & Collectable Firearms, who sent me a copy of the Dept. of the Army Supply Catalog for this weapon, which shows that this rifle existed during the Korean War, as it is dated November 1951.
So I know the Army had it for sure. Photo attached.

However I still don't know the answer to the following questions;

1. Was this produced in WWII?

2. Who invented/produced it ?

Can anyone confirm if the Air Force / Navy or Marines ever had this in their inventory?

Can anyonme tell me which of Canada's armed forces were issued it? After all it was stamped as being produced in Canada.

[Lugerdoc]

BJD, One of my co-workers in the 1970s had been a Marine armourer during VN in the 1960s. One of his job while at Yuma MCAS was to cut up the M4s as surplus. They were carried in Marine aircraft during Korea in a box under the pilot's ejection seat. TH