"The canning of the M1 Rifles was begun in November 1946, in the South end of building 104, previously occupied by the M1 Rifle line.  However, a considerable amount of planning and preliminary action had been necessary prior to this action: It was necessary to locate, procure and install equipment with which the armory had no previous acquaintance, such as vapor degreasers, welding machines, alkali and ?onderizing [can't see that first letter -- I told you these were hard to read] tanks and water spray paint booths.  Because the greater part of this equipment was necessary for the final assembly of the weapons into the containers, it was possible to manufacture parts of the container assembly pending receipt and installation of this equipment.  The manufacture of the container, or drum was procured for the initial orders, the Walsh Boiler Company of Holyoke, Massachusetts, being the contractor."




"The initial order for canning the M1 Rifle was completed in October 1947; and after necessary adjustments in the production line, the Armory began the canning of the Carbine.  The process was then applied to Pistols, Submachine guns and the BAR, the orders being completed in the early part of 1948."