A friend found a scarce item

[Bill Ricca]

A friend found a small quantity of an item I have been trying to find for close to 35 years. Back in 2007 I built a web page for him and recently after bringing it up to date, I saw this item. I immediately purchased one of them.

The M8 Cleaning Rod was standardized circa late 1943. Before that, the SNL for the Carbine listed the M1 Sectional Rod for issue. Well the M1 rod was designed for the .30 BMG and is so long it damaged the brush, bolt face, and even snapped if it hit the rear of the receiver. Troops in the field got the word out.

For a very short time Ordnance produced Thongs for the Carbine. Yes the 03 pull through that goes in the butt was issued to clean the carbine. One small contract, which was marked as such, was produced circa early 1943. Every thong contract I have seen has been marked B003, the origin designation for the 03.

I finally have this item after 35 years and the price was very reasonable.



If you want to see this item sale, go here and scroll down:

Rob Swisher's Page

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[phillydude]

these just started popping up on ebay too

[Bill Ricca]

I always see thongs on eBay, but I still cannot find any in packages marked for the carbine. Do you have a link?

[phillydude]

i think i was wrong bill, if i remember correctly, the thongs i see come in canvas pouches, i stand corrected

[zertouche]

How interesting Bill. It stands to reason that so many companies and citizens for that matter, stood tall, and did everything they could do, to support "the effort" and if they broke even or maybe made a few bucks to meet the incoming bills, they were happy.

The folks from that era were survivors of a "depression" that forged a quality of character we will never see again. Citizen soldiers who were truly the "greatest generation" post those old guys who stood up to a tyrant 3000 miles away and wrote the two greatest documents of humanity. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Folks who were not able to enlist, made products, welded hulls, stitched canvas and machined parts that survive to this day. As we, and you, are so fortunate to own.

Quality and functionality long forgotten in our disposable society. Nice score Bill. Thanks for showing it.

[BrianQ]

Here is a carbine thong compared to a standard sized thong.

[Bill Ricca]

Neat Brian. Over the years I have had over 1,000 thongs and never saw one out of the wrap for the carbine. Shows how scarce they are.

Thanks for the picture.

[painter777]

Thanks for a very informative post and threads.

Charlie

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I ordered a package of these thongs, and a muzzle cover with a marking I previously didn't have, from Robert Swisher.

Because of bad comunication on my part I had to send it back.

The order was replaced and reshipped at lightning speed. The items I received were in mint condition and are a great addition to my collection.

My thanks to Bill Ricca for letting me know about this item and seller.

Also, many thanks to Robert Swisher. After I mis-communicated my needs he went out of his way to make it right and help me out.

If he has something listed that you might need, I recommend him as a seller.

Jim

[Gibbs505]

Glad that you have found something that you have been looking for so long!