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Post by binarypunisher on Mar 21, 2008 23:09:11 GMT -5
You guys look great, its unusual for me to see US reenactors who are young and of reasonable body size!
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Post by Jager.Drü on Mar 21, 2008 23:59:42 GMT -5
Get dirty! All the Marine pictures you guys posted the jarheads are covered in dirt, I suggest you do the same.
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YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
BDM<33
Posts: 2,462
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Post by YankeeDiv26 on Mar 21, 2008 23:59:51 GMT -5
wow! best USMC group impressions I've seen to date on this forum. Very well done.
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YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
BDM<33
Posts: 2,462
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Post by YankeeDiv26 on Mar 22, 2008 21:19:59 GMT -5
Is that an m43 jacket? I'm not doubting it's authenticity, I've seen a picture of a marine with one on. Like the collar-over-collar thing. Pretty popular civilian fashion fad back then that you see a lot of guys doing in studio pictures.
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Post by troyluginbill on Mar 22, 2008 23:02:01 GMT -5
Gyrene, Looking nice. Any idea how extensive the M43 was issued in the PTO? Did the army get some as well? Is that a winter shirt or summer khaki under the M43?
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Post by troyluginbill on Apr 3, 2008 0:44:21 GMT -5
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Medic
Sergeant
I'm 12 not 25!
Posts: 1,539
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Post by Medic on Apr 5, 2008 18:54:32 GMT -5
Yeah, I have 36 Days of Hell. And you are right, there was a huge controversy over showing dead Marines. After the battle of Tarawa, some AP photographers caught some pictures of dead Marines in the surf. When they brought it back to the States, it had to be cleared by the President, then it was finally shown.
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Adler69
Master sergeant
Legio Patria Nostra
Posts: 2,859
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Post by Adler69 on Apr 13, 2008 1:08:27 GMT -5
found a cool pic of Marine Raiders in Bougainville , check out the way the BAR gunner is wearing his ammo belt here's a closeup of the BAR gunner
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on Apr 13, 2008 1:23:14 GMT -5
That pic rocks. If you look closer at the BAR gunner you see that he may nto actually be a BAR Gunner after all. He seems to have a regular M1 Garand ammo belt alogn with an M1 Garand but he does have what loosk to be a BAR ammo belt crammed way high up on his chest. This however may actually be a WW1 Ammo Bandolier for the BAR which was known to have been used by the raiders as well as some other groups early on in the war. Here is a link to one at IMA-USA.com www.ima-usa.com/product_info.php/cPath/4_92/products_id/952It seems you can see what appears to be the buckle on the Bandolier above one of the pouches. WW1 BAR Ammo pouches also had the angular flaps as well as the rounded WW1 style flaps. TommyGunner
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Post by troyluginbill on Apr 13, 2008 21:25:44 GMT -5
The BAR belt is actually 2 of the ammo bandoliers. You can see the crossing straps just above. The guy is identified, although I cannot remember his name, and is the assistant to the BAR gunner. There is a whole breakdown on this pic in grunt gear as there are alot of unique gear and weapon things to note. (mixes of garands, carbines and springfields-the guy in front kneeling is a grenadier and has what look like rifle grenade canisters strapped to his pack, some guys have helmet nets, others burlap and yet others have camo covers.) The raiders used all sorts of equipment.
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on Apr 13, 2008 21:27:45 GMT -5
I was thinking he had two of those on, I had a hard time telling if it was one or two but thought it was two of them. Its a great pic and really has alot of cool stuff in it, thats a great pic to post Adler69.
TommyGunner
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Post by migmadmavis on Apr 13, 2008 23:32:28 GMT -5
Speaking of BAR Belts, was at the Surplus store, and found a not even kidding Mint condition BAR Belt sramped 1918, I cant remeber any of the other markings, but it was in the best condition ive ever seen a piece so old to be in.
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on Apr 13, 2008 23:54:33 GMT -5
In the picture is an original unissued WW1 version BAR Belt that has been modifyed by the USMC Depots to the WW2 version. These were the version of the BAR belt that was issued at the USMC at beggining of the war. They are extreamly rare as they were all issued used and worn out, only then being replaced by the M1937 BAR ammo belt. In the pics you can see all the added material and modfications needed to make the WW1 serviceable in WW2. These modifyed BAR Belts are VERY VERY RARE as most were used till destroyed. TommyGunner
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alban
Private
Sniper for life.
Posts: 177
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Post by alban on Apr 14, 2008 8:42:06 GMT -5
Very cool stuff, I hope we can see some more Marine and Japanese impressions. Also you seem to like the BAR more then the Thompson, TommyGunner. Will you be know as BARGunner on the boards from now on?
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on Apr 14, 2008 9:53:54 GMT -5
As soon as things here get a bit nicer and my property fills out with foliage again I will be taking pics of all my impressions and the variations on them.
I have to say that it really is a toss up between the BAR and the Thompson as my favorite.
The Thompson has great stopping power with the .45cal round and when used with the 50rnd drum mag was a great brush sweeper and even with the 20rnd stick mag was great for bunker/trench sweeping, but was not too accurate after 50yards and the drum mag was more trouble than it was worth and in my opinion the 20rnd stock mag was a bit small but was great for going prone with because it did not stick out fromt he bottom like the 30rnd mag did. It however was quite reliable and had the power an ammo to do its job. It was also way better than the Reising SMG that was the only other alternative, it however was a bit heavy for an SMG.
The BAR is an amazing weapon also. It used the standard 3006 rifle ammo and you could drop one guy in a single shot and stop him dead in his tracks. It also had a 20rnd magazine and a BAR gunner could carry up to 240rnds of ammo on him. It was a very accurate gun and on the early versions had a semi auto setting, slow auto, and fast auto settings. It could be used on semi auto as a rifle. However all these things can easily be countered by how heavy the gun was. It weighed 16-20 pounds depending on what attachments you wanted on it and the ammo was very heavy as well, 240rnds can really weigh you down. Plus the weapon was very high matinence as well and have to be kept very clean, it was time consuming to tear down and the ammo capacity of the 20rnd mag was universally accepted to be not enough for how much trouble to gun was to lug around. The weapon was also very long at about 4ft.
However both of these weapons have one big advantage over the Springfield, Garand, and Carbine. The Thompson and the BAR both had the capacity to send alot of rounds down range in a hurry if you suddenly found yourself in a tight spot. In the PTO that really means alot.
So I guess each one has its pros and cons, and it really comes down to what role I want to play. I normally do not carry my M1928A1 Thompson anylonger at events becuase it seems most people show up with the M1A1 version fo the Thompson. So I have attened my last three events armed with my M1903A1 Springfield and have had amazing sucess with it (More so than with the Thompson becuase of the added range) But with the Advent of my BAR Im the only one here in the midwest with it and it has the raneg to compete with the Germans Kar-98s out here plus its an automatic weapon and the allies now have a dedicated support gun.
I would have to say though that if I had to choose between the Springfield or the Garand I would Choose the Springfield simply becuase of the low maintinace involved in keeping the rifle operational and you can carry more ammo for it than the Garand.
TommyGunner
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Medic
Sergeant
I'm 12 not 25!
Posts: 1,539
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Post by Medic on Apr 15, 2008 16:46:45 GMT -5
I should look in to getting a 1903. I have some USMC gear, and TommyGunner, I'll want to know what you think. I am completely torn, so Corpsman or Rifleman? And please don't say it's up to me (even though I know it is ), because I need some real advice. I need some USMC unit in North East!
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azeeze
Private 1st Class
Posts: 622
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Post by azeeze on Apr 15, 2008 18:52:01 GMT -5
Corpsman were usually armed, i've heard of m1 carbines and colts being used I dunno about a corpsman with a 1903. So Medic you could technically be both -Nick
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Medic
Sergeant
I'm 12 not 25!
Posts: 1,539
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Post by Medic on Apr 15, 2008 18:53:39 GMT -5
A Corpsman/Sniper would be cool, but that's not what I was saying. I think a Corpsman with a Colt and a Bolo would be fine.
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azeeze
Private 1st Class
Posts: 622
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Post by azeeze on Apr 15, 2008 19:02:21 GMT -5
Having a 1903 doesn't necessarily mean you are going to be a sniper. Alot of 1903's were carried just by plain ole rifleman -Nick
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on Apr 15, 2008 19:13:19 GMT -5
The M1 Garand was not officially issued the the USMC until late 43, they were given to the USMC on lend lease by the Army until they were officially issued in late 43. But up until 43 and even after 43 all USMC riflemen were issued the M1903 Springfield as the main battle rifle.
I say do riflemen. Could use some more of them.
TommyGunner
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YankeeDiv26
Staff Sgt.
Frustrated Mac Owner
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Posts: 2,462
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Post by YankeeDiv26 on Apr 15, 2008 20:18:44 GMT -5
I should look in to getting a 1903. I have some USMC gear, and TommyGunner, I'll want to know what you think. I am completely torn, so Corpsman or Rifleman? And please don't say it's up to me (even though I know it is ), because I need some real advice. I need some USMC unit in North East! I think you answered your own question. The only person who can make that decision is you. I say if you want the best of both worlds be a medic with either a carbine or a .45. A medic typically protected the guys around him by providing aid when they got it, not by firing off rounds such as a normal rifleman would. The reason they ante'd up their armory's by adding mainly carbines and .45's was because the Japanese didn't obey by the geneva convention and instead directly attacked non-combatitants such as medics. If you felt a .45 was all you needed to defend yourself, you just carried a .45. Same goes with the carbine. Don't confuse the 1903 series as a "sniper rifle", it was a standard service rifle first (from WWI-early WWII) and after being phased out by the M1, it's frontline duties were mainly relegated to being a Company Marksman rifle typically in the form of an M1903A3 or M1903A4 (according to some TO&E's) or a grenadier rifle. BUT, if you want just to be a regular rifleman then by god, be a regular rifleman. It's that simple. Do the USMC a favor and be sure you're a good shot. Marksmanship is primary in the USMC. As for finding a USMC airsoft in the North East, I wouldn't wait forever getting my hopes up. I'm betting if you look at the statistics, you'll find that USMC is more popular in enviorments that are closer to that of the Pacific. New England is only close to PTO weather (95+ degrees, high humidity, ect.) a few days a year. Most people aren't inclined to do a USMC impression in the North East for that reason alone. So either wait for global warming to kick in more or make the best out of what you can find. <YD>
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Medic
Sergeant
I'm 12 not 25!
Posts: 1,539
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Post by Medic on Apr 16, 2008 16:32:24 GMT -5
As for finding a USMC airsoft in the North East, I wouldn't wait forever getting my hopes up. I'm betting if you look at the statistics, you'll find that USMC is more popular in enviorments that are closer to that of the Pacific. New England is only close to PTO weather (95+ degrees, high humidity, ect.) a few days a year. Most people aren't inclined to do a USMC impression in the North East for that reason alone. So either wait for global warming to kick in more or make the best out of what you can find. <YD> I know, I can't wait!
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Post by troyluginbill on Apr 17, 2008 20:51:12 GMT -5
Gyrene, Who is making the repro grenade launchers? Are they goign to the cup launchers or the later spigot launcher?
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Post by troyluginbill on Apr 17, 2008 20:52:44 GMT -5
Medic, Also check out the book Sailors in Forest Green. It will give you a really good idea of what was carried by corpsmen.
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Post by troyluginbill on Apr 20, 2008 0:12:26 GMT -5
Gyrene, could you give me his handle. I would like to get in touch with him. Just PM me so he doesn't get a bunch of contacts.
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Adler69
Master sergeant
Legio Patria Nostra
Posts: 2,859
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Post by Adler69 on May 3, 2008 0:05:12 GMT -5
Found a couple more cool pics PARAMARINES , check out the Jump suits with pockets on the outside , the M55 folding stock Reising submachineguns and the USMC Jump boots without Toe Caps and this one shows Marines from the 3rd Marine Division off Bougainville , check out the War Dog from the 1st Marine War Dog Platoon I'm not sure if this guys are Marines or Army troops in the camo , behind the Aussie troops
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Adler69
Master sergeant
Legio Patria Nostra
Posts: 2,859
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Post by Adler69 on May 3, 2008 11:31:55 GMT -5
GyreneGreen , they are from this book I needed some more reading material to start working on my WWII USMC impression , and this book is the first one i found on my local bookstore , that had plenty of good full page pics of Marines in action and training. As i find the pieces that i need for my impression i will post them here so you guys can tell me if it's correct , specially since you guys know a hell of a lot more than i do about Marines from WWII.
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TommyGunner
Staff Sgt.
Hackjob Mauro
1st Marine Division, 1942
Posts: 2,265
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Post by TommyGunner on May 8, 2008 8:51:39 GMT -5
So in responding to a thread on converting an M500 into a 1897 Trench gun I learned about a type of shotgun that I did not know existed in WW2. The Winchester Model 12 Shotgun. It saw exstensive service with the USMC in WW2 and was just as common if nto more common than the 1897 Trench Gun. Here is an awsome pic of a USMC guy with a Winchester M12 and a WW1 Grenade vest!!! I wonder if he is using it to hold shot gun ammo www.olive-drab.com/images/firearms_shotgun_win12_marine_ww2_375.jpgTake this link and copy and paste it into your browser, thats the only way it will work for some reason. This will be my next impression to create, I will modify an M500 shotgun with the nessecary parts to create an M12 Shotgun equiped USMC impression. TommyGunner
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click
Sergeant
Company G, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Posts: 1,764
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Post by click on May 8, 2008 11:46:58 GMT -5
Man, that thing has got to look even more badass with a bayonet on the end!
click
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Post by p51 on May 8, 2008 22:50:16 GMT -5
I don't have a model 12 but I have two 97s, one of which is a repro, the other an original WW1-marked trench broom: I also have an original wood 12G ammo crate and all the correct TMs for shotguns I have… Yeah, I'm gloating. Sue me!
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