George Hyde (gun designer)

George Hyde was an American firearms designer best known for his contributions to the development of submachine guns, particularly during World War II. He is most recognized for his work on the Hyde M2 submachine gun, developed in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Hyde's career was marked by a blend of innovation and collaboration with other designers and manufacturers. Prior to the M2, he worked on other firearm designs, gaining experience and refining his approach. The Hyde M2 was notable for its advanced design compared to some of its contemporaries. It was intended to be a more accurate and controllable submachine gun. However, due to a variety of factors, including production difficulties and bureaucratic issues, the Hyde M2 was ultimately not adopted for widespread use by the U.S. military. The simpler and more easily produced M3 "Grease Gun" was selected instead.

Despite not achieving mass production for the M2, Hyde's work contributed to the broader field of small arms development and influenced subsequent submachine gun designs. He continued to work on firearms-related projects after World War II, though details of his later work are less widely documented. His legacy remains primarily tied to his contributions during a pivotal period in small arms history.