1 June 2021 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Guantanamo Bay In Cuba
Date taken: 1961
Photographer: Dmitri Kessel

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Interesting, 1961 and still using a 1907 sling.

[fjruple]

Jim-- I believe the M1907 sling is the oldest item still in the US inventory.

--fjruple

[Bill Hollinger]

Jim-- I believe the M1907 sling is the oldest item still in the US inventory.

--fjruple

Don't the rifle marksmanship teams still use them? I think the M2 BMG is the longest running weapon???

[browningautorifle]

I believe the M1907 sling is the oldest item still in the US inventory.

Don't the rifle marksmanship teams still use them?

Yes, they're still produced...but I'd think this one is out of Quartermaster general issue... I would have thought the canvas sling would have been general issue for mudrollers. The M2 BMG was withdrawn from USMC service at least and when we went to train with them in '84 they were just getting them back after ten years without.

[fjruple]

Yes, they're still produced...but I'd think this one is out of Quartermaster general issue... I would have thought the canvas sling would have been general issue for mudrollers. The M2 BMG was withdrawn from USMC service at least and when we went to train with them in '84 they were just getting them back after ten years without.

The M1907 is not for general issue but is available for the marksmanship teams and snipers. The US on several occasions tried to replace the M2 Browning. They tried with the M85 and M73/M219, all were dismal failures. The only problem with the older M2 was the headspacing issue. They seem to correct that problem with the modification to the M2A1. Great gun to use!!

[Bill Hollinger]

Jim, my guess is that armory had them and more than likely had them a very long time. Looking at how crisp those creases are suggests planned, staged photos too. Perhaps someone thought the 1907 sling looked better.

[browningautorifle]

had them and more than likely had them a very long time.

They would likely have barrels of stuff that would have been around longer...

staged photos too. Perhaps someone thought the 1907 sling looked better.

No doubt. I did lots of OP and even though we too were starched and spit shone for duty, the rifles went inside in a rack. When the troops have rifles in hand, sometimes things get out of hand.