Navy 03's

[Jake Holman]

I thought you 03 guys would like to see some 03's in use by the US Navy. I scored this old cabinet card years ago. I always thought it was pretty rare to find any images of 03's in service of the Navy. I think it's 20's-30' era. Blown up you can see the sailors are wearing Eagle Snap Mills belts. I always referred to it as my "Sand Pebbles" photo, but I doubt it was taken in China. Anyways enjoy!

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.

[Rick the Librarian]

Actually, I've seen a number of pictures of sailors with M1903s. Before WWII, sailors (as you probably know) were given quite a bit of training in small arms and were considered as a legitimate landing force. In Veracruz, in 1914, large numbers of sailors were landed and went into combat.

Excellent picture!

[Jake Holman]

I have one other Navy photo that's a stereo view card of the same era. I'd like to see some more Navy 03's in service. Maybe someone should start a thread on all our personal 03 photos?

[Rick the Librarian]

If you have Bruce Canfield's book, he has a couple (maybe a few?) pictures of sailors with (or practicing with) '03s. Due to copyright, I don't think I could reproduce them here.

A picture thread on '03s in service would be a great idea!

[Jim Tarleton]

Actually, I've seen a number of pictures of sailors with M1903s. Before WWII, sailors (as you probably know) were given quite a bit of training in small arms and were considered as a legitimate landing force. In Veracruz, in 1914, large numbers of sailors were landed and went into combat.

Excellent picture!

Bluejackets!

jt

[Fred G.]

Here is my grampa in 1917 on the rifle range that he helped build at Camp Logan, Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He qualified as an Expert Rifleman and I still have his Expert Rifleman's patch and his Navy Blue Uniform, cap and sailers scarf. Grampa served on the U.S.S. Wadsworth in the North Atlantic. I've also got his three booklet Diary that he kept during that time. Thery're quite small and it's possible that he wasn't even suppossed to keep one.

[Fred G.]

Here is my gramps, James "Mett" Shippee, again in Brest France at the old city wall and moat, 1917 or 1918. Something else that I have that's interesting of his is about 20 30-06 cartridges dated 1918 on the head, one of which has a cross scratched into the face of the head & a strip of tape wrapped around the cartridge with the words written in his hand writing that says "To kill Kaiser Bill with". Gramps allways did remind me of the character Jake Holman in the movie, "The Sand Pebbles". He told me that he, and other shipmates, had occassionaly shot at and detonated mines floating in the North Atlantic. Old man's stories? I don't think so. Gramps never lied or told exagerations to me to my knowlege.

[Jake Holman]

Great Photos, thanks for posting!
Check out the blow up and the buildings in the
back ground of my picture. Same buildings ???
It's uncanny.

[Fred G.]

I think that you're right Jake! I'll bet that your photo is also at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. Wow, that's pretty neat! That's a Fantastic photo you've shared too! I'd like to see more if you've got them! Fred

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Attachment 34801 May I add a photo from my collection?This is my uncle.
Not yet certain of his dates of service or postings. Is'nt that a 03? Does the kit provide any clues as to period?

PS Jake
Check WTS posting for an original copy of the book on which the movie was based.