Posted on Sep 10, 2022
What is the OLDEST model weapon that you used in the Military?
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For many of us, this will probably be dominated by the .45 Cal. Model 1911 Pistol (in service since 1911) and the .50 Cal. M2 Machinegun (Manufactured since 1921). For me, it was the above 2 weapons, plus the Smith & Wesson Model 1905 .38 Special Revolver. Please make this weapons that you actually used, carried, or operated as a service member. (The Navy guys will probably win. They never throw anything away.)
Rifles
Handguns and Pistols
Artillery
Machine Gun Basic
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Actual use ... as in locked/loaded & fired - a Remington Rand 1911 .45 and and M-1 Carbine in Nam for about a week when I realized it was a pea-shooter. In the Navy ... at Boot Camp, I believe it was a 1903 - bolt action no less. We didn't fire them - they were for drill & ceremony, marching ant PT (96 Count Manual of Arms).
Over time, I also carried an Ithaca and Colt .45's.
Over time, I also carried an Ithaca and Colt .45's.
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
Hey, if you were assigned it or carried it as part of your duties, it counts. You didn't have to actually deploy it, like on the "2-way Rifle Range" (where you shoot at the Pop-Up-Targets, and the Pop-Up-Targets shoot back at you).
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This is an old discussion thread, MSG Lonnie Averkamp, but I thought I might make mention of the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). It’s not the oldest weapon I’ve had my hands on, but Browning started development on it in 1910. I did a fair amount of familiarization with it during the SF weapons course, and I wasn’t overly impressed. Still, the BAR has been around for a long time!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1918_Browning_automatic_rifle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1918_Browning_automatic_rifle
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
Sir, Same place where I first got to handle the BAR. We disassembled, assembled, & fingered it, but we didn't get to fire it, because no 30-06 ammo was available: one of my regrets in life. I looked inside of the receiver and absolutely fell in love with the machining that was done inside of that block of steel. Air-Borne!
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LTC Stephen C.
MSG Lonnie Averkamp, we actually got to fire it during the light weapons FTX. I remember that the weapon had three settings: safe, fast automatic and slow automatic.
The Thompson submachine gun was also composed of finely machined parts.
The Thompson submachine gun was also composed of finely machined parts.
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Colt .45 model 1911, .45 Grease Gun and the M-2 .50 machinegun are the oldest also used the M-16A1 .556 in 1976.
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
Very similar, plus the old S&W .38 Special and Winchester Model 1897 Shotgun. Also, in Basic Training, my rifle was an M-16-E(xperimental)1.
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
M-202, and you still have all of your fingers and toes? Nicely done, Master Sergeant.
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I used all three of the above too. I admit this is not what the MSG asked for, but I did get to operate some really outdated Russian weapons we confiscated from the Iraqi's in Desert Storm that were really old and well used. Familiarity training. I am amazed they were not issuing Flint Locks to those guys.
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
Hey, if it was in the Line-of-Duty, it counts. Welcome back to the World, Corporal!
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I agree with the .50 caliber machine gun, and will add the M-79 grenade launcher and the L.
A.W.
A.W.
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In order of senility... er, seniority:
M1903A3 (actually carried in ROTC on field training exercises, prior to my first enlistment)
M1911A1 (carried intermittently during my days in the Cav)
M2HB atop the ubiquitous tracked aluminum box
MG3 and Uzi (whilst having joint fun with a Bundeswehr unit)
L2A3 (courtesy of some joint training with 2 Para)
M60 (how many folks realize that it was adopted 67 years ago, at the same time as the M14 but wound up being issued several years ahead of the M14?)
M14 (second time around in ROTC)
M16E1 / M16A1 / M16A2
M1903A3 (actually carried in ROTC on field training exercises, prior to my first enlistment)
M1911A1 (carried intermittently during my days in the Cav)
M2HB atop the ubiquitous tracked aluminum box
MG3 and Uzi (whilst having joint fun with a Bundeswehr unit)
L2A3 (courtesy of some joint training with 2 Para)
M60 (how many folks realize that it was adopted 67 years ago, at the same time as the M14 but wound up being issued several years ahead of the M14?)
M14 (second time around in ROTC)
M16E1 / M16A1 / M16A2
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While not the oldest weapon used by the US military, we had a couple of Type 10 grenade dischargers (incorrectly referred to a a Knee Mortar). They were Japanese smoothbore, muzzle loaded weapon. used during the Second World War and first entered service in 1921. I took one into Cambodia on a couple of occasions. A little over 5 pounds and a total length of about 20 inches, it fired a 50mm round and was effective at up to 190 yards.
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A battery 4th battalion 42nd field artillery 4th Inf Div. The 105 mm towed Howitzers we used in Vietnam were WWII and Korean War vintage guns.
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