1903 A3: Period Pictures?

[Chad1]

I've seen quite a few period pictures from WWII showing the Springfield 1903 rifle, but I can't think of any showing the 1903 A3 in use, specifically in the field.

Please post if you have a pic.

Along those lines, were they usually issued to guys who weren't in the frontline? What about tank guys, engineers, or artillery?

[Johnnie]

If I recall right, 03s of both varieties were issued to old time soldiers who prefered them to the M-1. I don't recall if this was both Army and Marines or just Marines. I believe that early TO&E called for one Springfield per rifle squad, but after the M-1 was in full production swing, this may have fell by the wayside. It has been awhile since I read this and all of my references are in storage in the States, so others here may have more detailed info. But they were definitley used on all fronts.

Johnnie

[jacobtowne]

This does not answer the question about the A3s, but the men of the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal used the M1903 exclusively, since they had not yet been issued Garands. I don't know which variant they carried.
The first M1s they saw were in the hands of an army regiment from the Americal Division sent as reinforcements in the fall of 1942.

JT

[Chad1]

pictures

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, everyone seems to say, "they used '03 rifles, especially the Marines."

But, lets see some actual photographic evidence of the 1903A3 in use, in the field, anywhere in WWII.

So far, I haven't come up with one picture.

[Chad1]

odd

Doesn't anyone else find this to be a little odd?

Did the 1903A3 see any action at all?

[Captain Emo]

What is this?

[jdbwoodsman]

Do you have a larger scan of that photo? There are some interesting things there and having a larger photo would be great if possible.

What can you tell about it?

[r_hufschmied]

All you have to do is Google for pictures:







All Guadalcanal.

[Rich Pouncey]

Had an opportunity to talk with an old WWII Island Hopping Marine last Monday at lunch. He was in the First Marines. He told me that '03s were used exclusively on Guadalcanal, and after that Battle the First spent several months in Australia regrouping and training, and it was during the latter part of this time that they changed out the '03 for M1's. Sniper-scouts were given the option of keeping their issued '03 or exchanging for an M1, and he, being a sniper-scout, kept his '03.

[Ordnance]

I've seen several good shots of 03-A3 rifles in use during WWII and this is one of my favorites. An MP coming ashore on a DUKW in France with supplies. I think the general problem is that by the time the 03-A3 was in full production, sufficient quantities of Garands existed to equip the front line forces. Most 03-A3s went to real echelon support units who had to carry something but weren't engaged in daily combat. Signal Corps guys, truck drivers, Quartermaster troops and others got them along with big numbers of M1 carbines.

[Chad1]

pics

Thanks for posting guys!

[Johnnie]

Is it me, or do his visible ammo pouches look empty? It also looks as if the bolt is cocked (position of striker) but I can't tell if the safety is on.

Johnnie

I've seen several good shots of 03-A3 rifles in use during WWII and this is one of my favorites. An MP coming ashore on a DUKW in France with supplies. I think the general problem is that by the time the 03-A3 was in full production, sufficient quantities of Garands existed to equip the front line forces. Most 03-A3s went to real echelon support units who had to carry something but weren't engaged in daily combat. Signal Corps guys, truck drivers, Quartermaster troops and others got them along with big numbers of M1 carbines.