Posted on 02/05/2014 2:34:11 PM PST by ZULU
Do you wonder why that rifle Is hanging in my den? You know I rarely take it down But I touch it now and then.
It's rather slow and heavy By standards of today But not too many years ago It swept the rest away.
It's held its own in battles Through snow, or rain, or sun And I had one just like it, This treasured old M-1.
It went ashore at Bougainville In Nineteen Forty-Three. It stormed the beach at Tarawa Through a bullet-riddled sea.
Saipan knew its strident bark, Kwajalein, its sting. The rocky caves of Peleliu Resounded with its ring.
It climbed the hill on Iwo With men who wouldn't stop And left our nation's banner Flying on the top.
It poked its nose in Pusan, Screamed an angry roar And took the First Division From Chosin Reservoir.
Well, time moves on And things improve With rifles and with men, And that is why the two of us Are sitting in my den.
But sometimes on a winter night, While thinking of my Corps, I know that if the bugle blew We'd be a team once more. Unkown Author
Canned Heat.
http://weaponsman.com/?p=13309
Garand collectors have long known about these, as stored and recorded by Springfield Armory, but as far as we know, nobodys found one yet. In 1959, Armory officials told the local newspaper that a few cans recently arrived (of which, more later) were the last survivors of the cans the Armory filled in 1947 and 1948 apart from a few in the collection of the Armorys museum.
Marines escort an elderly man away from the front lined during the battle on Okinawa.
Ooo-rah
I had the good fortune about 6 or 7 years ago to buy a Select Grade from the CMP. Took it to my gunsmith who was quite experienced with 1903’s and M1’s. He showed me the wear points and how it looked as though it was fired sparingly.
Made by Springfield Armory in 1952.
A treasured part of my belongings.
I carried an M14 in the Nam and, it too, had a presence the plastic fantastic never had in my hands.
WOW! Awesome. I love my Garand. The receiver was made in August of 1943 and the bolt at the end of 1940 - 1942 (SA9).
I have to check the rest of the parts someday by enjoy target shooting with it. Wish it could talk. What stories it could tell!
That’s awesome!!
My late father was there.
I wonder why they didn’t carry him?
Dignity.
The T-1 Pedersen Rifle
The Pedersen Rifle, officially known in final form as the T1E3 rifle, was a United States semi-automatic rifle designed by John Pedersen that was made in small numbers for testing by the United States Army during the 1920s as part of a program to standardize and adopt a replacement for the M1903 Springfield.
Although the Pedersen was rated for a time as the most likely candidate for standardization and adoption, the .30 caliber M1 Garand rifle was chosen instead.[1]
The M-1 was a fantastic weapon and definitely gave us an edge in WWII.
Why not just post the content here blogpimp?
I think they made the right choice. Nice gun but not a Garand.
Because it ain't my blog and I'm not promoting it.
The M1 and M14 were ideal weapons for skilled riflemen.If you can see your target you can shoot at it effectively.All the 5.56mm weapons,not so much.
The M-1 was a reason to go OSC, so you didn’t have to lug it around. My BT M-1 5365601 = Bolo, it was a piece of crap, later my assigned M-1 3335555 = Expert, it was a beauty. Had the m-14 issued to me, but never got to fire it. The M-1 carbine was nice because it was light. I had a wood stock one and one with a folding stock on. They were made for house to house fighting, but they were great for plinking on the range. The M-16 223 was the perfect carry weapon for all ranks. Hate to say this but the M-1 really cut into your shoulders on long marches, so you knew it was there, then again, WW II guys were men of Iron and un-pampered, they were able to handled it.
The BAR was even worse to carry!
I think that's the key phrase. The M-16 works well for an urbanized recruit base where many do not have much experience with firearms. Also, that soldier who may not be a highly skilled rifleman can carry a lot more 5.56 ammo.
Sure like that bigger slug the M-1 fires, personally, though.
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