M*A*S*H (or simply spelled as MASH) was the television adaptation of the 1970 film of the same name. As in the film, the series followed the antics of the medical personnel assigned to the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Though set in the Korean War, the series was meant as an allegory to the then ongoing war in Vietnam. The series aired on CBS for 11 seasons from 1972-1983 and its finale was one of the most viewed television programs in history.
The following weapons were used in the series M*A*S*H:
For the majority of the series, the Star Model B was used as a substitute for the M1911A1 that would be standard issue, since blank .45 ammo was more rare than 9mm at the time. It is used by many characters throughout the series, notably MAJ Frank Burns (Larry Linville) and (Harry Morgan) as both MG Bartford Hamilton Steele and as COL Sherman Potter. CPT Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce (Alan Alda) disdains guns, though he uses one in Episode 5.10 "Hawkeye, Get Your Gun" to scare Chinese forces.
The Colt Commander is seen used by characters throughout the series, probably as a substitute for the regular Colt M1911 as the Colt Commander was not a common pistol seen during the Korean War.
In the Episode 1.16 "The Ringbanger" Henry uses his service pistol. In the Episode 2.13 "Deal Me Out" Captain Halloran (Edward Winter) draws his service Pistol because of gunfire in the camp (Winter would later become better known in the series as Col. Flagg). In the same episode, Private Carter (John Ritter) threatens Frank in the shower.
In Episode 4.13 "The Gun," a wounded Colonel arrives at the 4077th with a revolver described as a chromed Colt .45, shiny barrel with bone grips, made in 1884. The year suggests that pistol is supposed to be a Colt Single Action Army, though the actual revolver is in reality an anachronistic Colt New Service model, which wasn't introduced until 1868, 14 years later.
In Episode 3.2 "Rainbow Bridge" Houlihan gives Burns a Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket with pearl grips for a concealed weapon before going to a wounded pickup in Chinese territory, in spite of the Chinese saying they were not even to have sidearms. Fortunately the Chinese are so amused by the diminutive size they laugh it off.
Chinese soldiers in Episode 3.2 "Rainbow Bridge" are armed with Soviet PPSh-41 SMGs during the wounded pickup. If they were Chinese-made Type 50s, they would use stick magazines instead of drums, though North Korea did make licensed PPSh copies as Type 49s.
Several US Army and UN soldiers are seen with M1 Carbines. CPL Maxwell Klinger (Jamie Farr) is seen with one during patrol in a couple instances. 1LT Smith (William Watson) uses one to demand treatment for his Sergeant in 3.12 "A Full Rich Day."
The M1 Garand also appears as a regular service rifle, used by the Camp's enlisted men on guard duty (notably CPL Maxwell Klinger (Jamie Farr) before he becomes the company clerk), US soldiers and other UN allies.
In Episodes 6.12-13 "Comrades in Arms," Korean patrols appear to be carrying Valmet M71 Sporter riles with synthetic furniture and the muzzle brake removed, to represent AK-47s. While this is a reference to the Vietnam War, any AK-47 variant used in the Korean War is likely an anachronism, since even the Soviet Union and China did not issue AK-type rifles until years after the Armistice was signed in 1953.
A surrendering North Korean soldier (Soon-Tek Oh), who is nicknamed "Ralph" by Hawkeye, as well as a North Korean patrol they encounter appear to be using Mosin Nagant M91 rifles in Episode 8.10 "The Yalu Brick Road."
On his way to R&R, Hawkeye is shot at by a North Korean soldier (Mako) who holds him at gunpoint with his Chinese SKS Type 56 rifle, forcing him to treat his wounded comrade S09E01 "The Best of Enemies"
MAJ Charles Winchester (David Ogden Stiers) managed to get his shotgun sent from home for fowl hunting in Episode 8.12 "Dear Uncle Abdul." It's a hammerless break action side-by-side shotgun. As a nod to his character namesake (and affluence), it is possibly a Winchester Model 21 or 24 though the receiver is never clearly seen. MAJ Margaret Houlihan (Loretta Swit) borrows it during the episode.
Mk 2 pineapple grenades are occasionally seen on passing GIs. SSG Rizzo (G.W. Bailey) borrows a dummy grenade from PVT Igor to play pranks in Episode 11.15 "As Time Goes By." As another nod to the Vietnam War, these grenades are painted black. Mk II grenades during the actual Korean War would be olive drab in color.
The 4077th is supplied with a "40mm gun" in Episode 2.2 "5 O'Clock Charlie" when he starts trying to bomb an ammo dump near the hospital. This is actually a Navy 3"/23 caliber gun, similar to the one used in The Sand Pebbles.
