10-205 Garand Picture of the Day - ouch!

[Mark in Rochester]

U.S. RIFLE M1 .30 SN# 1616152
Manufactured by Winchester, New Haven, Ct. - M1 rifle damaged in accident at Camp Drum, N.Y. Barrel spilt due to using a ball round instead of an M3 round to launch a rifle grenade. Barrel badly damaged. Bolt and internal parts missing. Stock separated from receiver. Three G.I.'s were killed in this accident. This is a WIN-13 rifle. It was manufactured sometime between January and June of 1945.

Markings:
Receiver: U.S. RIFLE/CAL..30 M1/WINCHESTER/TRADE MARK/1616152.
Stock: 192 in white paint.
Barrel: S-A-10-49.
Operating rod: 6535382-SA.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 8 August 1963.

The web site photo is a staged U.S. Army photo.

Notes: "I don't know if it is recorded, but the story I heard concerning this weapon when I first got here (1977) was that it was being fired in the 1950s by a NY State Nat. Guard unit someplace in western NY State. They were firing grenades and instead of using the regulation blank round for that purpose they fired a grenade using a live round. According to the story I heard, a sgt. and two recruits were killed in the resulting explosion. I might note that in cleaning the weapon I found traces of earth, particularly in the butt plate, but no trace of blood or anything else of human origin. Watch out for sharp edges on the metal - any blood on this thing is mine - Type O Pos." - William E. Meuse, NPS Curator.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Sounds like that dry English humor...barrel badly damaged. Why yes, it is. I did see that sort of thing time to time while I was in but I don't recall anyone being hurt.

[Bill Hollinger]

They fired a real round into the granade! My bet is the granade got them. Ouch is right!