Charlie Flick Posted January 7, 2018 Share #1 Posted January 7, 2018 Guys: Things are a little slow this week so I thought I would post this neat pic I ran across elsewhere. It is from the LIFE collection. It is an image taken of a battleship armory about 1940 or so. One source identifies this as the USS Idaho. How'd you like to have that line-up in your gun room? And note the Lewis guns in the background. Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101CH47 Posted January 7, 2018 Share #2 Posted January 7, 2018 Great photo, I posted it some time ago on my Facebook BAR page, the page members there enjoyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted January 7, 2018 Share #3 Posted January 7, 2018 If you don't mind could I check out one of each for the weekend. I'll bring them back first thing Monday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted January 7, 2018 Share #4 Posted January 7, 2018 Wow! Great picture! Thanks for sharing!Question: Why would a battleship need all of these weapons? Is it in case of being boarded? Or for going on shore? Maybe for Marines stationed on the ship?Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted January 7, 2018 Share #5 Posted January 7, 2018 You mean they don't fight off boarders with cutlasses? Don't all ships have Marines detachments? I wouldn't think a BAR would have been the weapon of choice for shipboard fights (although I'm sure any Marine would love a BAR). Perhaps they were earmarked for shore parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt Detective Posted January 7, 2018 Share #6 Posted January 7, 2018 Great pic...love the BAR...reminds me of the scene in Sand Pebbles..with Steve Mcqueen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101CH47 Posted January 7, 2018 Share #7 Posted January 7, 2018 I like mine, full auto NESA production approximately April 1943. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted January 7, 2018 Share #8 Posted January 7, 2018 You mean they don't fight off boarders with cutlasses? Don't all ships have Marines detachments? I wouldn't think a BAR would have been the weapon of choice for shipboard fights (although I'm sure any Marine would love a BAR). Perhaps they were earmarked for shore parties. Yeah I thought every ship had Marines on them as well that's why I was thinking the weapons would be for them. When it comes to shipboard fights in close quarters have a BAR might be very useful if you find yourself in front of multiple enemies lol..... But shore parties make since although I don't believe that they would have seen much combat in which to participate them. Wouldn't they have had separate jobs to deal with in which carrying a BAR could possibly get in the way of, especially since it is so heavy? Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted January 7, 2018 Share #9 Posted January 7, 2018 BAR's were in the USN armories aboard many vessels. Photo: USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MastersMate Posted January 7, 2018 Share #10 Posted January 7, 2018 Arming and outfitting the ships landing party or force.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted January 7, 2018 Share #11 Posted January 7, 2018 I'll see your BAR and raise you one US Navy MK VI Lewis Gun. Story is that it came off of a Navy ship that was being decommissioned at the Bremerton Navy Yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted January 7, 2018 Share #12 Posted January 7, 2018 Outstanding. Is the Lewis gun live or demilled? Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted January 7, 2018 Share #13 Posted January 7, 2018 Great topic and pictures. brother in law was on a carrier vietnam era and he recalled thompsons and drum mags on board.He also said they were detailed one time to "dispose" of inventory.They threw a lot od stuff overboard and he spoke of machetes that were new and dated 1944 that went into the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iron bender Posted January 7, 2018 Share #14 Posted January 7, 2018 Awesome photo OP. Please note checkered hand guards and early flash hiders. My brother and I have been looking closely at WW2 photos of BAR's lately. Seems the bulk of combat used rifles will have wood furniture and early parts. Specifically screwed on mag well guides to prewar trigger groups. Also note gas plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101CH47 Posted January 7, 2018 Share #15 Posted January 7, 2018 I'll see your BAR and raise you one US Navy MK VI Lewis Gun. Story is that it came off of a Navy ship that was being decommissioned at the Bremerton Navy Yard. MVC-022S.JPG MVC-023S.JPG Very nice. Lewis guns are fun, had one years ago but it was in .303. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinb Posted January 7, 2018 Share #16 Posted January 7, 2018 Outstanding. Is the Lewis gun live or demilled? Ronnie It's live and in 30-06. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsonlmg41 Posted January 7, 2018 Share #17 Posted January 7, 2018 I'll see your BAR and raise you one US Navy MK VI Lewis Gun. Story is that it came off of a Navy ship that was being decommissioned at the Bremerton Navy Yard. MVC-022S.JPG MVC-023S.JPG I'll take that bet and raise you a couple Navy gray boxes of trinkets. Clearly you have excellent taste in fine vintage iron. Does yours have a USN number stamped on it in addition to the serial number? From memory I think mine is 927? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share #18 Posted January 7, 2018 Hey Robin: That is a great Lewis Gun you have there. I think I found a pic of your gun undergoing inspection. You got the cart, too, right? Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntssurplus Posted January 7, 2018 Share #19 Posted January 7, 2018 What a great picture! Are there any battles where navy guys like these actually went on shore and rolled out the lewis guns like this to participate in an actual land battle? It looks like the first 3 guys are petty officers? They all seem to be carrying .45's and it looks like the rest of them are carrying Model of 1917's or M1903's. This might be my source picture for a new display!Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted January 7, 2018 Share #20 Posted January 7, 2018 I'm trying to figure out what that 1st sailor is showing his higher up. Hopefully not the fish he just caught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomorgan Posted January 7, 2018 Share #21 Posted January 7, 2018 Isn't he opening or closing the slide on his 1911 after or for inspection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share #22 Posted January 7, 2018 Yep, the Marine officer is inspecting these members of the ship's landing party. He is looking over the M1911 pistol of the first sailor. Note that the flap on sailor's M1916 holster is open. It is also interesting to note that all of the sailors armed with pistols have their canteens carried on the left hip. Those armed with the M1903 Springfield rifle have the canteens on the right hip. In this time frame (late '30s-early '40s) I am not aware of any BB or other capital ship landing party actions. However, it is entirely possible that sailors with Lewis guns fought ashore during the failed defense of the Philippines. Here is another interesting Lewis gun image, via LIFE, taken in 1939 or so on the submarine R-14. This gun does not employ the shoulder stock. And how about that fancy gun mount? Looks like some galvanized pipe put together by a plumber. Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted January 7, 2018 Share #23 Posted January 7, 2018 Some more images from that series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted January 7, 2018 Share #24 Posted January 7, 2018 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted January 7, 2018 Share #25 Posted January 7, 2018 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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