M3 Grease Gun Question

[tk1976]

I’m not sure where to post this, but figured I’d post it here. While going through some Cold War photos of the US I found this picture and saw that one of the soldiers had a M3 Grease Gun with the cocking handle. I was just curious as to whether these were still as commonly seen as the M3A1 by 1969?

 

[Story]

REFORGER exercises included Army National Guard units, so it wouldn't be surprising to find outdated ordnance in their hands.

[2AD_Vet]

I participated in Reforger 80 in Germany and I carried the M3 but mine did not have a cocking handle.

[USARV72]

They are also wearing shoulder holsters, may be armor guys?

[atb]

Tanks were still equipped with M3 SMGs at that time.

[USARV72]

Lots of tracks had M-3s in RVN, there were lots of them in different units.

[bummer]

The VTR crew ( mechanics) had them at Ft Polk in the early 80's . I would assume the maintenance platoon had them in Germany but we were changing over to Division 86 and all the mechanics were in Headquarters company and not the line units

[hbtcoveralls]

The PA national guard still had unmodified M-3s in use until at least the gulf war in 1991

[tk1976]

Thanks for all the input guys. They most likely are armor guys. Other pictures Ive seen from this collection have all the armor guys wearing chest holsters. Plus I think I also remember reading that all tanks were equipped with a grease gun since WW2. I do find it pretty interesting that a handful of these mightve still been in service and not used up in WW2 considering they werent manufactured that long.

[2AD_Vet]

The VTR crew ( mechanics) had them at Ft Polk in the early 80's . I would assume the maintenance platoon had them in Germany but we were changing over to Division 86 and all the mechanics were in Headquarters company and not the line units

 

I was a VTR crewman and Mechanic. That is why I carried one.