US Grenade launchers

[rayg]

A group photo of my US launchers on rifles. The top one is a super rare mint 1917 launcher. I just took it out of the wrap to show it on the rifle. Also shown is a WWII period four prong projector, Ray
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[Harlan (Deceased)]

AWESOME collection!

I see that you do as I do...
I'll get on one subject, research it like crazy, buy books, visit forums and ask questions then start trying to collect everything I can about the subject of my current interest.
~ Harlan

[browningautorifle]

Very nice...

[rayg]

Harlan, yes the research and Learning. That's the fun of the collecting.
Just a note, almost all of the 1917 Enfield launchers made were either shipped to other nations along with the Enfield Rifles the US provided them under the lend least provisions or post war re-armament and those launchers remaining in the US, were converted to 1903 launchers. So they are extremely rare.

Another launcher I have and my only non US launcher, is a Japanese type 100 grenade launcher. This launcher is unusual in that it uses the gases tapped off live round to fire the grenade unlike most launchers that use a blank type cartridge, Ray

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[browningautorifle]

That one must be as scarce as the M1917 model.

[RCS]

Ray, Do you have any Viven-Bessieres WW1 grenade launchers for any US or French Lebel rifles ?

[Tom in N.J.]

As stated above, my M2 (M1917) launcher has been modified and re-marked for the M1903 rifle. The M1 (1903A1) launcher was then authorized for use on both M1903 series and M1917 rifles. Unmodified M2 launchers are super scarce. Here is a picture of my favorite rifle grenade, the 60mm mortar round used with a four prong projection adapter.

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[rayg]

I wasn't aware they could fire the mortar rd with the launcher. That's interesting, two types of ordinance to use.
I was curious of just what was involved in converting the 17 launcher to be able to be used in the 03. So I tried to put my 17 launcher on an 03 and it wouldn't go over the muzzle far enough down to enable the gate to fit past the back of sight base. Apparently the alteration just involved deepening/extending the depth of the inside shoulder a bit to allow the muzzle to go in farther for the gate to close.
Is there a chance you can take a readable photo of the mortar page? Ray

[rayg]

Ray, Do you have any Viven-Bessieres WW1 grenade launchers for any US or French Lebel rifles ?

I don't have one but I do have a M91 MN made by Westinghouse that has an extra reinforcement bolt installed in the stock to strengthen the stock for firing grenades when using that launcher. Ray

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[emmagee1917]

There is a pic. of a GI with a 60MM mortar round on his rifle . I just thought it was a couple of guys screwing around . Wow . The recoil must be something with that much weight . Any chance of scanning and posting the manual underneath ? My shoulder surgeon would love you ( you just KNOW I've gotta try it once ) .
Chris