1903 expert question?????

[wtmr]

what are these and what did they do?? This is a Atwood photo taken at Aberdeen Proving Grounds 8-17-1944Attachment 24426

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[Rick the Librarian]

At first I thought they vwere Mann test M1903s, but a closer look leads me to believe they were something else. It looks like shotgun shells on the ground. No idea ... but will be interested in finding out.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Good eye Rick. It's difficult to tell, but I wonder if those are more the size of flares or something?



Being it was taken at Aberdeen Proving Grounds maybe they were experimenting with something that never went into production (?)

[Kirk]

The muzzles are much larger than 12 ga.; perhaps 1". The "barrel" looks as if it is attached about where the fixed rear sight base ends, well ahead of where the .30-06 chamber ends. The collar suggests the 1" barrel is threaded on to the .30-06 barrel and perhaps unscrews to load one of the "shotshells". Perhaps the shotshell would launch something else out of the barrel like some sort of large diameter mortar bomb or a flare

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I was wondering about that too Kirk. Possibly a line throwing gun or something to launch some type of ordinance (?) To the right of the 'shells' there looks to be some kind of projectile (?)
If that base is part of the weapon it would most likely have to be used in a fixed location.

It'll probably be funny about our suppositions when someone knowledgeable about this thing explains what it is.

[wtmr]

guys, I am asking cause I am clueless. I was looking for Ogram and Atwood when I saw the odd guns. I looked thru brophys book and poyers and did search on SA research page but unless you know name of is tough find. I never noticed the things as were at the feet of the group foto of 50 or so military personell and advisors at APG

[browningautorifle]

They look to be something like the German grenades that launched from everything from a rifle launcher to the flare guns. I wouldn't put it past Aberdeen to try something like this.

[Mike Haas]

Aberdeen P.G. has a museum. Email the picture to the curator and you'll likely get an informed answer. Call 410-278-3602 for the correct email address.

[wtmr]

I did its in process of being moved to Ft Lee, and FT Lee is advertising for a curator.

[wtmr]

speculation by me it is a attempt to copy this GermanAttachment 24431 thing--31 lb grenade launcher