Swap Meet Find: 1903 Cleaning/Oiler Kit

[m1903rifle]

They came out with the 1903 rifles...

The plastic one came out in WW2 in an attempt to save money and metal. The M1917 and the Garands used the metal ones also.

[browningautorifle]

The M1917 and the Garands used the metal ones also.

Yes they did. They came out with the M1903 rifles and were subsequently used for everything. When 1941 came, there were stocks still and they were issued until exhausted. The plastic came out as cost reduction and a better, simpler design.

There now, I said it all in one breath...didn't think I had to.

[Flying10uk]

I also have a small "stand alone" plastic grease pot similar in size to the one in the cap of the cleaning kit/oiler pictured in my post 5. I'll post a picture another day but would these be accommodated in the butt or elsewhere, anyone, please?

[browningautorifle]

a small "stand alone" plastic grease pot

Yes, they came later for the M14. Yes, they went in the butt also.

[Flying10uk]

Thanks for that, Jim. For anyone interested here are some pictures of the small "stand alone" plastic grease pot which as Jim tells us were intended for the M14 rifle (previous post). I recently noticed one of these for sale by a dealer priced at £25 but I manage to get this one for just £1. The Garand/1903 oiler is included in the pictures to give a sense of scale.

[browningautorifle]

They shouldn't cost much. I bet I can still get one from a local dealer in Edmonton out of his small stuff bin for practically nothing. They've been rattling around in there for 35 years, loose...full, new. 1 pound seems right.

---------- Post added at 05:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:10 AM ----------

the small "stand alone" plastic grease pot which as Jim tells us were intended for the M14 rifle

The dark grease was for the post war issue...the earlier was light colored. I think the little containers came out earlier but these are later. The M 14 forum chats about them a bit and Scott Duff too...

USGI Grease Question - M14 Forum

[Flying10uk]

Ok thanks Jim. Here's the pot that's going for £25.

U.S Rifle Grease Pot

[browningautorifle]

Maybe because it's got the early light colored grease...?

[Flying10uk]

Could be, the cap is labeled differently to mine.