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3 July 2025 Garand Picture of the Day
Maj. Lawrence Varsi Castner was an intelligence officer assigned to the Alaska Defense Command in 1940. Castner formed the Alaska Scouts — nicknamed “Castner’s Cutthroats,” though they preferred to be called “Alaska Scouts” — from a collection of Alaskan trappers, hunting guides, commercial fishermen, miners, prospectors, and many Alaska Natives. The Alaska Scouts officially became the 1st Combat Intelligence Platoon on Nov. 19, 1941, weeks before the surprise attacks on Pearl Harbor.
Standard issue for Castner's Cutthroats was a Trapper Nelson pack, hunting knife, .22LR caliber target pistol and a sniper rifle, instead of the standard issue Springfield rifle, or M1
Garand. However, when it came to firearms, personal preference was the deciding factor. Al Brattain, a crack shot, preferred the M1 Garand because its reduced recoil did not spoil his aim. Trapper Nelson packs held all their supplies for their long mountainous treks. They lived off the land, which allowed them to stay light, unlike most military units of the time. To move from island to island, the men used canoes, from which they fished for salmon. The salmon was dried and stored for the winter, furthering the unit's ability to stay out in the field.
Last edited by Mark in Rochester; 07-07-2025 at 06:30 PM.
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose
There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.
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07-07-2025 12:40 PM
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I don't see an M1 but I'll settle for the '28 Thompson. I like those every bit as much, had one for 22 years. I'll throw in a picture of both, so there's an M1 here now...
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Owning a Trapper Nelson backpack was de rigeur for a young Cub Scout in Canada in the Sixties. I can only imagine how I looked as I set off for my first camping trip with a loaded backpack that was nearly as big as I was!
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First pic has literally one of everything now,
M1 carbine, M1 Thompson, M1 rifle, M1917,
Arisaka...well added.
that was the original some times they drop out when address is changed to milsurp
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose
There are no great men, only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.
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Originally Posted by
Mark in Rochester
that was the original
I believe you...
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That carbine looks to have a muzzle brake installed too. You don't see that much.
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PM
