The United States Army first worked on a 120 mm gun after the end of World War I, with a prototype being presented in 1924.

To defend against long range Soviet Tu-4 bomber attack, the Army Anti-Aircraft Command (ARAACOM) formed 44 active duty and 22 National Guard battalions equipped with M1 guns, divided into seven brigades and 20 anti-aircraft artillery groups.

Two Canadian anti-aircraft battalions were also equipped with M1 guns for the joint defense of the Soo Locks.

These guns were guided by the long range Lashup Radar Network equipped with AN/CPS-5.

By January 1960, all remaining National Guard units with M1 guns were converted to Nike missiles or deactivated.

Firing tests revealed issues with fumes from the gun entering the turret, causing flarebacks and a high concentration of toxic gases in the fighting compartment.

In this form the design was standardized as 120 mm gun M58 [zh], which would see service in production M103s.