Phil. Constabulary 1903

[VeeVee]

An old photo of the Philippine Constabulary I would guess circa late 1920's-early 1930's.

Information

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[RCS]

When were the Model 1917 Rifles issued in the Philippines ?

Did the Philippine Scouts ever use the Model 1917 rifle ?

[Calif-Steve]

I believe MacArthur bought only M1917's for their use. They cost much less than an M1903, so he equipped the Phil. Army with the M1917's. MacArthur's chief of staff was Eisenhower.

[Gibbs505]

I wonder who died?

[VeeVee]

From what I know:

The PC and PS always had 1903's.

Before WW2, the PS combat units (cavalry and infantry were all issued Garands), along with the American 31st Infantry.

When the Phil. Commonwealth was established in 1935 and a new Phil. Comm. Army needed to be armed, they issued them the cheaper M1917's because the Phil. Gov't was footing the bill, not the US Army.

This picture is probably pre-Commonwealth. The only flag visible is the American flag. A constable passed away and his family is in black around the casket.

[Rick the Librarian]

The rifles are M1903s. The Philippine Commonwealth did buy fairly large quantities of M1917s (as many as 200,000+) in the mid-to late 1930s. Interestingly, the money realized from this sale was used to help fund the development and early production of the M1 Garand.

My guess from those present in the picture, was the funeral of a Filipino member of the Philippine Scouts or Constabulary.