1903a3's at Guadalcanal ?

[robertb6112]

If you have directv they show it on there 101 channel and it was a pretty good. I noticed the gun flaw but it wasn't enough to bother me. Most people don't know the difference between o3 o3a3s. But i think they should of did a better job for the people that can.

[rugersworld]

Growing up we had a neighbor who was in the Army on Guadalcanal, and he was issued a standard 1903. He would show us kids how to elevate the rear sight ladder to "hit them nips way off".

[Pattern14]

[QUOTE=Jim Tarleton;111352]No A3's at Guadacanal.
QUOTE]

Don't know about model A3's but I do know that Marines on Guadalcanal were issued 1903's and not Garands. My father was a Marine Staff Sergeant with the 18th Naval Construction Battalion attached to the 2nd Marine Division on Guadalcanal from December 1942 to February 1943 and he said the Army had Garands and the Marines had 1903's. He was always proud of his wartime 1903 rifle and in 1970 my brother and I bought him an excellent condition Remington 1903A3.

[Tom in N.J.]

The first M1903A3s were assembled in November 1942, by Smith-Corona, the first acceptance from both Remington and Smith-Corona was in December, 1942. However, I saw one in the hands of a bounty hunter, in "The Wild Bunch", in which the story line took place in 1916.

[Mike D]

Seen that movie not long ago and caught the same thing. Guy was on the roof top, right Tom?

[OLDGUNS123]

My Uncle Landed On The Canal With A Ww1 03 He Said It Was Dated 1918 On The Brl. So For Sure There Were Early Guns There As Well As Later Ones Tommy Gun

[slamfire1]

The Marines used the 03 early in the Pacific war. I have several photos from the "Canal", all the identifiable rifles are 03's.

I understand the Army units had Garands.

I have a book titled "The Best of Yank". In the few pictures you see one or two 03's later in the Pacific. In combat. One must have been a Grenade launcher.

If you read enough WWII books, the very rare and occasional 03 is in Europe.

I have seen pictures of troops on their way to D-Day. There are 03's, probably some A3's.

I expect that once someone got in combat, they dumped their bolt rifle and got a Garand or a Carbine.

[stryker]

Given the value and scarcity of original 1903 rifles and RELATIVE availability of 1903A3 rifles, I think its forgivable. I found it interesting that one marine was carrying a Rising Gun.

[VeeVee]

I think it may not matter whether a rifle is scarce or not. They make rubber and resin replica props for the movie. They have all those other exotic firearms in it that are more "rare" compared to a 1903.

I think they really just made a mistake. Some guy charged with researching the weapons messed up and it was too late to change the prop if it was noticed at all.

Not that this is a witch hunt. It's just admittedly disappointing to 1903 fans.

[rice 123]

look on the bright side they could have flimed them landing on the canal with m1s and m1 carbines