1903 Springfield Grenade Launching Recoil Pad [Archive]

DaveL

11-10-2015, 12:22

When did they issue the 1903 Springfield Grenade Launching Recoil Pad? To be clearer, were these available/used right from the start on 1903s or were they only used/available for the 1903A3 or 1903A4s?

emmagee1917

11-10-2015, 02:45

I don't know the exact time frame the boots came out , but I believe it was in the 1939-1940-1941 area . They were made for the 1903 and for use with the new launchers coming on line at the same time . Early on they were used almost exclusively on 03s because A3s lacked the proper sights . This was in effect till the M15 sights came out in '44 .
If a person set his mind to it or had " the touch " , he could have pressed the A3 into use ( much as M-79 gunners were known to do with sights removed ) with good results .
Chris

DaveL

11-10-2015, 03:31

Thanks emmagee, great info!

PhillipM

11-11-2015, 10:56

I don't know the exact time frame the boots came out , but I believe it was in the 1939-1940-1941 area . They were made for the 1903 and for use with the new launchers coming on line at the same time . Early on they were used almost exclusively on 03s because A3s lacked the proper sights . This was in effect till the M15 sights came out in '44 .
If a person set his mind to it or had " the touch " , he could have pressed the A3 into use ( much as M-79 gunners were known to do with sights removed ) with good results .
Chris

I never thought of that! Thanks!

wreckless

11-14-2015, 06:50

FWIW, I picked up a US grenade launcher dated 1936 while in France years ago at a flea market. Its the earliest dated 1903 launcher that I've ever seen.

CPC

11-16-2015, 12:14

Could you post a picture? I didn't know that m1903 launchers were dated.

wreckless

11-16-2015, 02:33

Sorry, memory was faulty, it is '34 dated. It was used as a template for the repo launchers that were made in limited numbers.

33219

33220

wreckless

11-16-2015, 02:42

What the complete WW2 grenadier ensemble looks like

33221

emmagee1917

11-17-2015, 09:02

That is not '34 dated .
The WW1 launcher was a VB cup type and was discontinued in '24 . Nothing was really done from then till the very late '30s / early '40s . The early M1 / M2 launchers ( Springfield / Enfield ) were standardized on Sept 9th , 1941 . The clamp was lengthened in July of '42 . You have one of the ealier narrow clamps . It should have a KM with a lightning bolt on the body opposite the clamp . If not , it's a repro .
Chris

wreckless

11-17-2015, 10:37

It's real. Thanks.

Sunray

11-18-2015, 12:04

A 1903A4 is a sniper's rifle. Snipers don't do things like launch grenades around.
There's a rubber recoil pad on Old Guns they say is one of 'em. Looks very new for something that dates from or before W.W. II. Rubber doesn't tend to stay new looking for that long.
"...repo launchers that were made in limited numbers..." Long way from 'limited' numbers made.

wreckless

11-18-2015, 04:28

Of the 112,327 M2 (M1917 rifle) grenade launchers made, only 39,793 were converted to M1 (M1903 rifle) dimensions. The M1 launcher was then authorized for use on both the M1917 and M1903 rifle. There are both M1 and M2 launchers made with K-M markings and no manufacturers markings. The unmarked launchers were made by MLS, as a sub for K-M.

http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?36591-M1917-03-Grenade-Launcher