Need help on which rifle this is with my great grandfather World War II photo.

[BullyMaguire]

I have this photo of my great grandfather. He has a rifle. He was a E6 and shot himself in the foot and became a private again. My only question is, which rifle is this? I heard he had an M1 grand, but I’ve never seen a E6 carry an M1 grand. Maybe it’s just me though.

 

[themick]

To me it looks like an M-1 Garand, looking at the sight knobs.

 

Steve

[BullyMaguire]

4 minutes ago, themick said:

To me it looks like an M-1 Garand, looking at the sight knobs.

 

Steve

Thank you for the quick response. Looking at it again your right.

[P-40Warhawk]

I'm going to say it's an M1903 Springfield. Look at the length of the forestock, it's longer than you'd expect on an M1. I also think you can barely see the round knob of the bolt handle on the left. What looks like a sight knob may be the slide on the ladder side leaf. 

[BullyMaguire]

37 minutes ago, P-40Warhawk said:

I'm going to say it's an M1903 Springfield. Look at the length of the forestock, it's longer than you'd expect on an M1. I also think you can barely see the round knob of the bolt handle on the left. What looks like a sight knob may be the slide on the ladder side leaf. 

I was talking to a personal friend about it and he says it’s an M1903 Springfield. Honestly, I think you’re right though. I don’t think it’s an M1 grand even though I said it is, but I don’t actually think it is an M1 grand. 

[themick]

OK, comparing my Springfield I can see where it might be one.  Still, that protrusion looks a lot like on an M-1.  So, I'm not sure.

 

Steve

[Linedoggie]

The protrusion could be the Safety tab in the 03 bolt in the ready setting

[dpast32]

Just an observation but, if you look at the bayonet, it’s much to short to be the 16” bladed M1903 or M1917 variant. Although not certain, I side with the M1 Garand, simply due to the shorter, apparently 10” blade visible ?

 

   Best,  Dom P.

[BullyMaguire]

OK I looked closely at the photo and I feel like I see a bolt. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me.

[268th C.A.]

Well my first guess was 1903...but the more I stare at it I tend too lean M1 Garand. The fore stock looks fatter, and the sight knob as well that was mentioned above...

Just my guess. 

I guess you could measure the length of the rifles' and the height of your grandfather... 

[BullyMaguire]

28 minutes ago, 268th C.A. said:

Well my first guess was 1903...but the more I stare at it I tend too lean M1 Garand. The fore stock looks fatter, and the sight knob as well that was mentioned above...

Just my guess. 

I guess you could measure the length of the rifles' and the height of your grandfather... 

his height was 68. Which I believe equals out to 5’6 or 5’8.

[BullyMaguire]

M1 grand is 43.5 in and M1903 is 43.2 in

[atb]

Garand vs. Grand. I see an M1 Garand rifle.

 

What was his rank? Staff Sergeant? I don't believe the "E" designations for pay grades were in use at that time.

[BullyMaguire]

57 minutes ago, atb said:

Garand vs. Grand. I see an M1 Garand rifle.

 

What was his rank? Staff Sergeant? I don't believe the "E" designations for pay grades were in use at that time.

Yes, he was a staff sergeant. 

[Linedoggie]

12 hours ago, dpast32 said:

Just an observation but, if you look at the bayonet, it’s much to short to be the 16” bladed M1903 or M1917 variant. Although not certain, I side with the M1 Garand, simply due to the shorter, apparently 10” blade visible ?

 

   Best,  Dom P.

M1 Bayonet also fit the 03

[BullyMaguire]

Sorry to comment on this one year later. I have a feeling this photo is a training photo. Great grandfather was in electrician, which I believe he would’ve been issued an M1 carbine. Also, it seems to be taken in May 1944? Only writing on the picture. I’m guessing MO stands for Missouri? which leads me to believe Fort Leonard wood?