War Dept. (WWII) Tech. Manuals incl. Pistols and Revolvers

[smith17]

A relative left some books for me in his will which was a surprise since I think he hated me for breaking his only peach tree while trying to climb it when I was about 7. Anyway, I was going through them and found these War Department Technical Manuals which included one on Colt 1911s, Colt 1917s and S&W 1917s. Must have been too early for the Victory Model. He fought in France. I thought they were pretty cool as I am watching the Ken Burns series on The War.
Regards,
Ed

 

[smith17]

A relative left some books for me in his will which was a surprise since I think he hated me for breaking his only peach tree while trying to climb it when I was about 7. Anyway, I was going through them and found these War Department Technical Manuals which included one on Colt 1911s, Colt 1917s and S&W 1917s. Must have been too early for the Victory Model. He fought in France. I thought they were pretty cool as I am watching the Ken Burns series on The War.
Regards,
Ed

 

[JayCeeNC]

Neat stuff, Ed. I've found many interesting tidbits of info in old publications like that.

 

[nicky4968]

Much as I like my Smith & Wesson pistols, I would dearly love to look through the book on motorcycles.

 

[smith17]

email your mailing address and I will loan it to you.
Ed

 

[nicky4968]

PM sent

 

[opoefc]

War Dep.t tech Manuals were the bane of most G.I.s existance! The printed them by the millions and then reprinted them every few years as later tech. data came along. They told you everything from how to put a condom over the muzzle of your carbine to keep out the mud, to how to escape from a POW compound. When I reported to the Artillery Officers School at Fort Sill, I was issued 34 different tech. manuals, some dated in the 19th century. You had to have these in a certain order on a shelf in your quarters, for inspections.. If any one was out of order or alignment you got gigged, so I lined them up in order, drilled a 1/2 hole down the middle, ran a dowel thru all 34 and my shelf always passed inspection. Fortunately no inspecting officer tried to take down a manual from the shelf and from prior service I already knew more about artillery than the instructors, so I didn't get asked too many questions during the school's course and didn't need the mauals. Ed.