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We are working on a museum exhibit about the weapons used by the USMC in WWll.
We are currently researching the small weapons used and are seeking information on the usage of the M1903 and the M1903A3.
The U.S. Marines seem to have used the M1903 in the early WWll campaigns, is this correct?
Did the U.S. Marines ever use the M1903A3 in WWll?
Thank you for your time,
D. :cheers:
Yes, the Marines used the 1903 in the early Pacific Campaigns. They used them on Wake Island when it was captured by the Japanese. The most notable use of the '03 was in the campaign for Guadalcanal. An interesting sidelight, when the Army arrived to relieve them on Guadalcanal, they had to basically tie down their M1s so Marines wouldn't "liberate" them.
a few 1903A3,s were used by the Marines, likely more during Korea, then WW2.
M1903's were used early-on in WWII. The Canal, etc. But the Marines discovered the Garand was FAR superior to the '03. Not too sure about Korea. I think the 03-A4 made it to Korea, but 03-A3's were not carried by Marines in Korea(as best I know). I did see '03's in Viet Nam. They were shipped over early-on and used by the Viet Namese. My boss actually took one home with him. This was 1971 so the rifle did indeed have a very long career.
Thank you all for the great info!
We are trying to make the USMC exhibit as correct as possible.
D.