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Rock Island Rifle Model 1903
Everyone knows about the famous Springfield ’03. From collectors to service rifle shooters to every 1950s deer camp uncle with a sporterised rifle. But do you know all ‘03s are not Springfields? The M1903 rifle was the primary U.S military rifle from 1903 through 1936 and remained in use in the early days of World War II.
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Rock Island Rifle Model 1917 – Table of Contents
When the U.S. entered the war, it had a similar need for rifles. The Springfield Armory had delivered approximately 843,000 M1903 Springfield rifles, but due to the difficulties in production, rather than re-tool the Pattern 14 factories to produce the standard U.S. rifle, the M1903 Springfield, it was realized that it would be much quicker to adapt the British design. Although it might have been faster to retain chambering for the .303 British military cartridge, the design was modified for the U.S. .30-06 Springfield cartridge to simplify ammunition logistics. Acknowledgements v Foreword vii Introduction ix Chapter Page 1 Origin 1 2 Manufacture: Interchangeability vs. Production 7 3 World War One 31…
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Rock Island Rifle Model 1903 – Table of Contents
It would be bemusing to find an arms collector or firearm enthusiast who was not familiar with the U.S. Rifle, Caliber, .30, Model of 1903. Developed by the Springfield Armory and adopted in 1903, the rifle is so closely associated with that venerable National Armory in Massachusetts that when someone refers to a “Springfield rifle,” it is almost axiomatic that they are referencing the M1903. It is sometimes forgotten, however, that another U.S. government ordnance facility also manufactured M1903 rifles from the time of the rifle’s adoption in 1903 until just after World War I. Foreword v Preface vii Chapter Page 1 Rock Island Arsenal 1 2 First Production…
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US Infantry Weapons In Combat – Table of Contents
“Some movies, like “Band of Brothers” are very accurate, others are not. The general history books of these wars rarely contain the in-depth details of infantry weapons that would be of interest to collectors. The stories about US infantry weapons contained in this book are the real hands-on experiences of the men who actually used them for their intended purposes. Once I began reading these interviews, I could not put the manuscript down.” – Scott A. Duff Table of Contents v Illustrations vii Foreward ix Preface xiii Acknowledgements 1 Darrell “Shifty” Powers • World War II – ETO • Army, 101st Airborne Division 12 Bill Trexler •…
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My Favorite M1911A1 Pistol
This post is my third about my favorite World War II U.S arms. The first was, of course, about the M1 Garand rifle. The second was about the M1 and M1A1 carbines. This one is about my M1911A1 pistol. The following paragraph is repeated from my first story in Scott & Walt’s Gun Tales. As a researcher and serious student of American history I like comparative technological study. Therefore, my theme for World War II focuses on the year 1943. By 1943 the primary US arms were well developed and production was at or nearing its peak. Americans were engaged in combat against the Axis powers around the world. My…
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M1911 Springfield Armory, 1914 Production
I began collecting U.S. martial arms in 1980. My interest was focused on M1911 and M1911A1 service pistols. A 1983 business trip in to Holyoke, MA and time to kill before my return flight led to my first visit to Springfield Armory National Historic Site Museum (SANHS) and triggered an interest in all arms made by Springfield Armory. By 1986 my interest narrowed to collecting M1 Garand rifles and M1911/M1911A1 pistols. My interest in both arms continues to this day. Over the decades I’ve been fortunate to have owned many outstanding examples of nearly every manufacturer with many having been in outstanding condition. But a very good condition M1911 manufactured…
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My Path to Becoming an M1 Garand Collector, Researcher and Author (Part 2/4)
When we last visited this topic, about eight of us were piling into a van and heading to Clairton Sportsmen’s Club to shoot in our first DCM service rifle matches. My part began about six months prior to that, in March 1984 with the purchase of a Springfield Armory Inc. M1A rifle with NM barrel and stock. I befriended my local gun club’s High Power Rifle competitor, former Marine Bill Thomas. Bill had been competing and Camp Perry for many years and was an accomplished rifleman. He began training me in the ways of high power rifle shooting. We shot nearly every Saturday morning. Not knowing what to expect at…
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My Path to Becoming an M1 Garand Collector, Researcher and Author (Part 1/4)
My main interests have long been the study of history, firearms and shooting, and cars. All of these interests began at a young age. For my 10th birthday I received a Daisy BB rifle, no it was not a Red Ryder, so no shooting Black Bart! I could not begin to estimate how many BB’s were fired through hat BB rifle. The spring after I turned 12 my Dad took me out behind Grandpa’s barn and taught me to shot his .22 rifle and .22 revolver. As was common in the early 1960s it was typical plinking at tin cans removed from the burn pile, not shooting at paper bullseyes. …
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Who Made M1 Garands? How Many Were Made? When Were They Made?
World War II Production Springfield Armory The first production M1 was successfully proof fired, function fired, and fired for accuracy on 21 July 1937. Thus began manufacture of what was to become the greatest production effort in the long history of Springfield Armory. A program for developing increased production capacity had been adopted in 1934, and by January of 1940 the Armory was producing 100 rifles per day. By January 1942 this number had risen to 1,103 per day. Production peaked in January 1944 with 122,001 M1s produced that month. This translated to 3,936 rifles per day or 164 rifles per hour! The surrender of Germany in May 1945 slowed…
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The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide
Since the publication of Scott Duff’s The M1 Garand Owner’s Guide, readers have asked for a book that would help guide them through the assembly of their M1 Garand. Ideally, such a book would impart the tips, tricks, pitfalls and “gotchas!” that experienced Garand enthusiasts and armorers have discovered and developed over the years. his is that book. It goes beyond the military manuals in depth and scope, using words and pictures to clearly guide the reader through every operation required to assemble their Garand. You’ll learn the best and easiest ways to build your rifle. It won’t make you an Garand armorer, but it will make you a more…
