M1 Grenade Launcher questions

[txjeeper81]

Hi new to this forum I recently bought a reproduction M1 Grenade Launcher for my 1903. I am looking to find out what kit would have be issued or carried along with this launcher.
So far I have the Launcher and the Range clips and I know where to get Inert Grenades what else would there be?

thanks

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[browningautorifle]

Welcome to the forum. There's a few things, cartridges, grenades, sight...

WWII US M15 Rifle Grenade Sight for M1 Garand/Carbine/M1903 Springfield Rifles | eBay

[txjeeper81]

Roger that
I did read that the M15 sight was not officially adopted it early 44 so what sight went on the 03's before 44 or is the M15 and the prototype version the standard for all rifles?
So far I've come up with the list below for the M1 launcher accessories
list:
M1 Launcher
Range clips
blank ammo in cardboard box
GP back for ammo
Launching sight?

[browningautorifle]

I don't think they used a sight at all before.

[RCS]

The Model 1903A1 used the graduations on the sight leaf for rifle grenades in WW2. Early Model 1903A3 rifles had the stock pins which were said to be weak for rifle
grenade launching, later stock bolts were used. Never seen a stock for a 1903 with the M15 sight but certain someone must have installed some them.

Never seen M1 rifle stocks in the field with M15 sights, very awkward to move around in the field or woods with this device attached. used in training. Some units
must have had a few installed over time. Some guys were very accurate with rifle grenades but never used the M15

[browningautorifle]

OK, so if I understand this right then, in the beginning it was dead reckoning for aiming. And true, never seen a combat pic with a grenade sight installed...

[Sunray]

The fins on the M29 will break off when fired. You'll see those painted black too.
You'll also hear the grenade cartridges are the only thing that'll work. Nope. Regular training blanks launch grenades off my M1 with no fuss. No aiming is really necessary. A grenade goes an easy 50 yards or so, so know what's down range. Great fun though.

[AD-4NA]

I'm curious who made the repro, was it one of the ones produced by Chris Guska and the 90th IDPG guys?
Anyways, second that about the sight being too late and never used

Also maybe on the list:
Rubber grenade launching boot for the stock: not sure if early enough to be used with 1903 or just M1.

M7 Auxiliary grenade cartridges or "booster" pills to go along with the M6 grenade Launching Cartridge, but the M7's may be the hardest thing to find out of the whole list.
Both are really powerful and not "blanks" and should not be confused with blanks. The M6 has five crimps as opposed to six or a wad.

Besides the M9/M11 and M17 Rifle grenades the grenade adapters also came along later, it just depends how far down the rabbit hole you want the list to go!

[RCS]

The first grenade launcher for the Model 1903 rifle was the French modified Viven-Bessiere cup launcher from WW1. These are very difficult to find, I have seen the French V-B
launchers around years ago (only for the Lebel rifle). The V-B launcher used a ball cartridge to launch the rifle grenade as the grenade had a hole in the center. The V-B was gone
from the US service before WW2. I believe Winchester manufactured the US V-B launcher during WW1.

WW2 had the M1 launcher for the Model 1903 and the M2 launcher for the Model 1917 Enfield

[txjeeper81]

how to use the 03 ladder sights to aim the rifle grenade.