On the Range with 1903's

[Jim Tarleton]

Can anyone identify this WWI era rifle range?

Jim

Information

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[Jeff L]

Jim, would it be possible to post the pic with a higher resolution? It might make it easier to see.

thanks

-Jeff L

[Jim Tarleton]

The site won't let me post a higher resolution. I had to downsize the photo file with Gimp to get it to load.

Jim

[JohnMOhio]

Jim, the forth shooter on the line looks like you. Can't your remember?

[Jim Tarleton]

John,

Of all people, I thought you might recognize the range from personal memory. My memory is pretty sketchy. Could this be Camp Perry of the old days?

Jim

[rollins74]

Here is a higher-resolution version of the photo.

[Bolo Badge]

After reviewing LTC Brophy's book I think the second rifle may be a Winchester Type I sniper rifle. If so it would date the photo to circa 1922.

[Jim Tarleton]

The picture is the property of Bolo Badge.

We both became interested in the picture because every man on the line is firing a Winchester A5 scoped rifle. There is a M1917 about halfway down the line sitting on the range post with no scope. The second rifle from the front end of the line appears to be quite different from the rest, although it too has a Winchester A5 scope in Winchester #2 mounts with "Marine" bases with the rear base mounted on the front receiver bridge.

The men are wearing campaign hats with cords and acorns, and the two men standing on the line in the distance bear a strong resemblance to Blackjack Pershing and Lejeune (big ears and shape of head). Odds are it is neither man. Marine officers or Army soldiers? Maybe a uniform expert can tell us.

The rifles that I can isolate are two bolt low-wood stocks, which coupled with the mounts eliminates them from being the WWI Niedner and Winchester mounted sniper rifles that went to the Corps.

It appears to me to be a practice session for a rifle team, albeit a very large rifle team!

Input?

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

By the way, they are firing at 1000 yard targets, and there appear to be mesquite trees in the background (southwest).

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

After looking at Bolo Badge's photo, I went back and examined some old pictures I have with my new software. I found something very interesting. This is a picture of a Marine Sniper in France in 1918. The sniper rifle he is holding is the third rifle issued to him. I have pictures of all three rifles, and I know who owns one of them (the first, and it isn't me).

I know the serial numbers and have pictures of all three, but I had always assumed this was the second rifle. It is not. The first two rifles had modified A5 scopes in Mann-Niedner mounts. This rifle, the one he took to France, has simple Winchester #2 mounts and Winchester bases. Look closely and you will see the button on the base (the head of the screw that tightens the scope mount to the base). You will see one other thing that is as rare as hen's teeth, and only the second one I have ever seen. Look at the ocular lense and you will see a amber (yellow really) adapter attached to the scope. This was used to improve sight picture in dim light. I have a picture of one detached from the scope, but this is the first time I have seen one on a sniper scope.

I have had this photo a long time, but with the software I had, I couldn't see the features I have mentioned. I acquired some new software, and voila!

It seems the Marines had one heck of a lot of sniper rifles of all arrangements of mounts and bases.

Thanks, Bolo Badge!

Jim