Unusual WWII photo

[Bill Hollinger]

I'd say a mess up in the colorization process also.

[imarangemaster]

Awhile back, there was a picture going around that purported to be some LRPs from Vietnam. Some of the problems were the long hair, non-military carriage and deportment of the guys, and some problems with one of the AR15s in the picture being post-Vietnam. It had what looked like a modern C Products 7.62x39 banana magazine for a 7.62x39 upper. Consensus was it was some 1980s militia wannabees posing.

[INLAND44]

Picture is good, problem is in the resolution of the colorization process. I can see the very vague trace of the slide cut in the handguard but the forward end of the cut is more prominent. It also has a four-rivet handguard on it - I can see the faint dots of the rivet holes. By and large I appreciate this colorizing as it brings out more info on what everything really looked like. And don't forget, no original photograph gets harmed or altered in the process - they work on digital copies.

[DaveHH]

Awhile back, there was a picture going around that purported to be some LRPs from Vietnam. Some of the problems were the long hair, non-military carriage and deportment of the guys, and some problems with one of the AR15s in the picture being post-Vietnam. It had what looked like a modern C Products 7.62x39 banana magazine for a 7.62x39 upper. Consensus was it was some 1980s militia wannabees posing.

I can tell you for sure that there were a lot of guys that were as you describe. LRRPs were left alone and most teams operated alone. As such they did pretty much as they pleased. They had such a dangerous job that they were not messed with. Early in the war I was there from May66 to may67 it was very unmilitary. It was like a filthy camping trip with guns. I got to know a Lurp who was with the 101st up in Tuy Hoa. Met him when he was in the 8th Field Hospital near our camp. He had been shot with a US carbine in the thick part of his thigh the bullet entering from the front. They left the bullet in as it was close to nerves and blood vessels. About 3 months later he was back again shot in the same spot about 2-3" from the other gunshot, another Carbine round. I couldn't believe that he got it at the same spot, but he did. Never saw him again, word was that they went out and just never came back. That's why they didn't have to get a haircut or salute people they didn't like.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Back to the picture. I was looking through a March 1942 TB 23 that has these pictures in it.

[browningautorifle]

Love those pics, usually if you can see it, there was an early number on the weapon.

[painter777]

JimF,
Last picture stands out. I had read that, The Palm should be up to retract the Bolt/Op slide back. And have tried, but doesn't feel natural.
Thoughts on why they'd recommend Palm up?

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Maybe farm boys used to a bolt action???

Maybe to clear and catch a fouled round.

I have no clue.

[rcathey]

Maybe farm boys used to a bolt action???
.

I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you were pretty close, actually. They had a lot of people in the service that first learned on a bolt action. Stick to what they know, ya know?

[Bruce McAskill]

Rear sight needs to be flipped around as the long range sight looks like it facing the shooter.