| 76 mm gun M1 | |
|---|---|
 An M18 Hellcat armed with a 76 mm gun | |
| Type | Tank gun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | US Ordnance Department |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,141 lb (517.55 kg) |
| Barrel length | 52 calibres |
| Shell | Fixed QF 76.2×539mm R[citation needed] (R/93mm) |
| Caliber | 76.2 millimetres (3.00 in) |
The 76 mm gun M1 was an American World War II–era tank gun developed by the U.S United States Ordnance Department in 1942 to supplement the 75 mm gun on the basic Medium tank M4. It was also used to arm the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer.
Although the gun was tested in early August 1942 and classified on 17 August 1942,[1] it was not until August 1943[2] that the Ordnance Department developed a mounting for the M4 tank that the tank forces would accept. It was not accepted for combat until July 1944.[3] In January 1943, the decision was made to mount the 76 mm on the vehicle that would become the M18.[4] By May 1944, it was being combat tested as the T70.[5]