link Posted February 4, 2019 Share #1 Posted February 4, 2019 I picked up one of the Italian modified M3A1s with the hex nut. It appears to be an early tool because it has the longer screwdriver with the round cutout. The tool has no mfg stamp as was typical of the first M3A1s, but it does have a boxed star over T over 6. I have tried repeatedly to view Bill Ricca's site but it seems to have been disabled. 1 - Does anyone know about these markings? 2 - Any idea regarding Bill's site? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rifleman Posted February 5, 2019 Share #2 Posted February 5, 2019 The T is probably for the Terni Arsenal.The hex nut,I've been told was to adjust the gas valve on the BM59. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted February 5, 2019 Share #3 Posted February 5, 2019 Bill retired a while ago and I expect that his lease finally ran out on his web site and it is shut down. Since your tool is a foreign rebuild I expect it was assembled from parts, hence the early blade. It very well could have been built at Terni. I believe new tools assembled in Italy were riveted but the rehabbed tools have the hex nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
link Posted February 5, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted February 5, 2019 Thanks for the replies. By any chance does anyone have a copy of Bill's history of the M3A1's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rifleman Posted February 6, 2019 Share #5 Posted February 6, 2019 If you go to Wayback Machine and put in this address,you'll find Bill's site intact.www.billricca.com/m3a1m.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted February 6, 2019 Share #6 Posted February 6, 2019 If you go to Wayback Machine and put in this address,you'll find Bill's site intact.www.billricca.com/m3a1m.htm Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
link Posted February 6, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted February 6, 2019 Most excellent! Thanks so very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gap Posted February 8, 2019 Share #8 Posted February 8, 2019 Bill was at the Gettysburg gun show recently and was selling off all of his parts at liquidation prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted February 8, 2019 Share #9 Posted February 8, 2019 Sad to know Bil’s getting out of business, been to many a show he attended, set up behind him once, what a good time. My young son had a pea shooter, had to take it away from him after Bill asked who was shooting spit balls. LOL, we all laughed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Posted February 23, 2019 Share #10 Posted February 23, 2019 Hex nut tool is for the BM59. The Hex Nut fits the gas screw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted February 26, 2019 Share #11 Posted February 26, 2019 I suspect he means the nut holding the tool together. The Koreans and in some cases the Italians used a nut to hold the tool together rather than a rivet when they made/modified the tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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