Honoring Those Who Served

[OutAtTheEdge]

On this Memorial Day, as we honor those who served, I thought it would be appropriate to start a thread honoring the guns that served.
I'll start with this Korean War vintage M1 Garand, courtesy of International Harvester. Interesting story about this rifle. I bought it in November '83, from an ad in The Shotgun News for $350. When it arrived, I showed it to my dad, who had carried an M1 in Korea. When he saw the manufacturer he was speechless for a few moments, before telling me how, after the war, he had been talking with friends about the M1 rifle, and when he mentioned that he had carried an International Harvester, they had all laughed and told him he was obviously mistaken, because everyone knows that IH made trucks and farm machinery, never any guns. He had, for many years, doubted his memory, right up until I showed him that rifle.

So let's see those veterans, guys. (And please let's keep this limited to vintage U.S. military, okay? Thanks.)

 

[Baxter6551]

When I was 18 the first rifle I bought was a beater Winchester M1 Garand for $100. Showed it to my Dad who was an Army Lt in the Pacific. Served 39-45. First enlisted then OCS in 42. He still remembered how to field strip and clean it without any hesitation. I no longer have that one but have birth year Springfield and H&R along with a Springfield .308 Match and a Springfield I built myself at the CMP Advanced Armorers School in Anniston.
Also two carbines a Winchester and a 43 Inland.
We owe all our gratitude to those who made the supreme sacrifice for us.

 

[Patrick L]

No surprise here, I basically make this same post every Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veteran's Day. Took the war horses out to play. Shot cast in all three, plus some jacketed in the Garand.

What can I say? I like my routines.

 

[Mainsail]

Memorial Day isn't about those who served, it's to honor those who served and died.

Seems like a great Veteran's day thread though.

 

[Grayfox]

Here are some of my veterans.

1942 Springfield & 1955 Harrington & Richardson

 

[Golddollar]

I just acquired this piece from the CMP. It has a Colt frame and Remington-Rand slide, and was made in 1943. It shoots pretty well. Now that I have my new eyes I'll have to take it out again.

 

[wundudnee]

This is a late war Winchester with the late sight, swing safety and bayonet lug. The serial is late enough to make these features legitimate. I'm sure it went through to be rearsenaled though. It has the M2 pot belly stock.

It and a couple more. The bottom rifle has all the early features.

 

[Patrick L]

Easy way to remember, Veteran's Day is for all that gave some, Memorial Day is for some that gave all.

That's not mine, I stole it from a tour bus driver.

Nothing wrong with this thread for Memorial Day!