03s in Korea

[smle-man]

Here we go again! Reading "Last Stand of Fox Company" by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin about a USMC rifle company beseiged by the ChiComs at the Chosin reservior. One of the air drops they received contained a load of 03 rifles and bandoleers of .30 ammo on 5 round stripper clips! The Marines were having a really tough time with their semi and full auto weapons refusing to function in the extreme cold weather. The book does not go on to say how much use the 03s received but it does mention that the Marines in Fox company picked up and used weapons taken from the Chinese including a Belgian 'automatic rifle'. An FND perhaps? Anyway maybe this will reignite the 'were 03s used in Korea' debate!

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.

[John Beard]

What's to debate?

It's well known that M1903's were overhauled during and after the Korean War. And if they were overhauled, then obviously somebody used them!

J.B.

[Jim Tarleton]

Sounds to me like they were indeed used in at least one instance. The supply of 03's was obviously close at hand to boot. Is the book fiction or first hand experience?

One of the best sources I have found for good info are the published diaries of combatants. At the time they were written, their only agenda was survival. Many contain very interesting information, such as Macklin's observation that a combat replacement Regiment was armed with Krags in WWI. I don't recall that he identified the Regiment.

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

John,

I must admit you have the best avatar. Where in the name of Judas did you find that picture? Are you trying to tell us something?

Jim

[KenK]

I know of at least one 1903 Springfield used in Korea. It was taken from a dead Chinese soldier by my neighbor. Where he got it my neighbor did not know. He used it to shoot long range and switched back to his BAR when it got too close. His stories would make your hair stand up. He said it was near new. He turned it in when he left Korea.

[Clark Howard]

There is a widely known picture of a sniper on a hillside in Korea with an 03A4. The snake eaters issued 03s, 03A3's,and A4's to their Montagard troopers in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Regards, Clark

[al b03]

Year's ago I was in a conversation with a retired Marine, we were discussing the Korean war. He told me," that during the stalemate at the 42nd paralel. The North Korean's and the Marine's were snipeing at each another. He said the Marines were getting disatified with the M1-D's, and requested some 1903's, had the armorer's fit 30cal.air cooled MG barrels to the 03 recievers, and scope blocks and Unertal scope's, glass bed the stocks. He said they had no problems dispatching the Koreans to the great beyond at 1000 to 1500 yards. Is this an old wive's tail, or is there some truth to this???

[John Beard]

John,

I must admit you have the best avatar. Where in the name of Judas did you find that picture? Are you trying to tell us something?

Jim

I think I found that picture in Google pictures abut six months ago. But, I can't find it anymore. In any event, I had the presence of mind to download and save it. It's a classic. I have it as my desktop on my work computer. I bust up laughing everytime I see it. Here it is.

J.B.

[Emri]

Sounds to me like they were indeed used in at least one instance. The supply of 03's was obviously close at hand to boot. Is the book fiction or first hand experience?

One of the best sources I have found for good info are the published diaries of combatants. At the time they were written, their only agenda was survival. Many contain very interesting information, such as Macklin's observation that a combat replacement Regiment was armed with Krags in WWI. I don't recall that he identified the Regiment.

Jim

Hey Jim,

Thats about all I read now and keep looking for more. I've read enough about the major battles and "overall picture". They all repeat much the same. What I like to read now is the "I Was There", and "This is What I Did" books that tell a story from firsthand about maybe a major battle, but usually an obscure skirmish. Read James Brady's "The Coldest War" about Korea. No mention of 03's as I recall, but a GREAT story is included of a MG platoon leader's "sniping" an enemy with a .50BMG using his watch. (timepiece)
I could generate a list of books I have, and have read, if you are interested, but most are WWII period.

FWIW,

Emri

P.S.- you coming to B'ham?

[slamfire1]

My next door neighbor, his brother in law was on the AMU in the early 60’s. Back when they used Garands.

Brother in law went over to Korea, for a tour of duty, early 60’s. Stationed at the DMZ.

He told me they had an 03 in the armory.

His greatest disappointment was that he had the O3 in hand, with ammo, when a North Korean Soldier was seen wandering around the DMZ. He said he actually had the North Korean in his sights, but his officer would not let him shoot.

Maybe someone got a VC with an 03.

He wanted to be the last man to have a Combat Kill with an 03.