“Tag: World War”

The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. What should the discerning collector look for in a potential buy? Here are the features to watch out for.

The Johnson Model of 1941 Rifles and Light Machine Guns saw service with elite American troops during World War II. Not so well known is the light and handy Johnson Auto-Carbine. It could have been one of the most interesting infantry arms of World War II, but now it is a footnote in firearm history.

While the British No. 5 Lee-Enfield “Jungle Carbines” are well-known guns, the Australian No. 1-based jungle rifles have languished in obscurity. They never went beyond the trials phase and are commonly faked. Here’s the real story on what are likely the rarest versions of the World War II Lee-Enfield.

Despite the U.S. Army's initial rejection of the Colt M1895, the "Potato Digger" soldiered on with a fruitful service history around the world.

The U.S. M1919A6 machine gun was a modification of the M1919A4 intended to give a single trooper comparable firepower in a lighter-weight package. It was a compromise gun, and like many such designs, it could not do everything well.

Developed by Winchester, which used elements from a previous design that aimed to replace the M1 Garand, the M1 carbine ultimately became one of the most-produced and well-liked arms of World War II.

Not until the .30-’06 Sprg. cartridge breathed new life into the sputtering ’03 Springfield was the rifle ready to become a battlefield legend. The .30-’06 chambering and other changes combined to make the ’03 America’s greatest military bolt-action.

When the early models of the Thompson submachine gun first saw combat in World War II, so did its drum magazines. Despite its shortcomings and complexity, these drum magazines continued to see use throughout the war.

Winchester's New Haven facility closed in March 2006, thus ending a century-and-a-half tradition of military and sporting rifles being made in that city. The contributions of the Winchester factory to the security of this country and the pleasure that its products have given generations of sportsmen must be remembered.