Weapons
The weapons used by the Tomb Guard are more than just
for show. These weapons are fully functional, and are kept ready for use
at all times. The weapon inspection conducted prior to the new Sentinel
assuming the post, is a real inspection.
Over the years there have been many different types of
weapons used by the Tomb Guards. The changes in weapons reflect the
changes in the Army, however each weapon system is picked for good
reasons.
The weapons that have been used at the Tomb are broken
into three different groups:
Rifle, Cal. .30-06, M1903 Series (1903). The Springfield M1903, a
bolt-action rifle, was the standard issue rifle used by the Army from
1903 thru 1936, when it began to be replaced by the new issue M1 Garand.
But it remained in use in many units up until 1943, when the Garand
began arriving in large numbers. The M1903 used the .30-06 standard
military cartridge in five-round magazines. The M1903 was an accurate
weapon, and was also used as a Sniper Rife. It remains in use today as a
ceremonial rifle for many different organizations..
M1 Garand
The M1 was designed by John C. Garand, and was the standard issue
military rifle used by the U.S. Army from 1936 to 1957. The M1 was one
of the first semi-automatic rifles to see action in combat. It offered a
great improvement in fire power over the bolt-action M1903 series rifle
it replaced. It was rugged, reliable, and tolerant to the abuses of use
in the field. The rifle used .30-06 cal. cartridges in eight-round
clips. The rifle was used by LTG George S. Patton, Jr., who said:
"In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement
ever devised."
M14 Rifle
(Rifle, 7.62mm, M14 series)
Seeking a lightweight replacement for the M1 Garand and
the M1918A2 BAR, the Army selected the M14 rifle in 1957. The M14 was
basically a product improved M1 Garand. The M14 has an effective range
of 500 yards (460m). The M14 uses a standard NATO 7.62mm cartridge in a
20-round magazine. The M14 was the standard Army infantry rifle, until
replaced by the mass fielding of the M16 5.56mm rifle in 1966-1967. The
M14 was also converted into a Sniper Rifle (M21).
The M14 is the standard ceremonial weapon used by the 3d
U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) today, and is the current weapon carried
by Tomb Guards.
Technical Manual description: a lightweight, air-cooled,
gas operated, magazine fed, shoulder weapon, used primarily for
semiautomatic or full automatic fire. (TM 9-1005-223-10)
(Colt-Browning United States Government Model of 1911 .45 automatic
pistol)
The 1911 was designed to comply with the
requirements of the US Army, which, during its campaign against the
Moros in Philippines, had seen its trusty .38 revolver to be incapable
of stopping attackers. An Ordnance Board headed by COL John T. Thomson
(inventor of the Thomson sub-machine-gun) and COL Louis A. La Garde, had
reached the conclusion that the Army needed a .45 caliber
cartridge, to provide adequate stopping power. In the mean time, J.
Browning who was working for Colt, had already designed an
"autoloader pistol," around a cartridge similar to
contemporary .38 Super (dimension-wise). When the Army announced its
interest in a new handgun, Browning re-engineered this handgun to
accommodate a .45" diameter cartridge of his own design (with a 230gr. FMJ
(Full Metal Jacket) bullet), and submitted the pistol to the
Army for evaluation.
The Colt Model 1911 was slightly improved in
early 1920's when the flat mainspring housing was replaced with an
arched one, a shorter hammer spur was used, a short trigger was made
standard as well as a longer grip safety. The new model was named Colt
M-1911 A1 Government Model. In this form, the gun was produced during
the remaining years until WW II, when military requirements were met by
production of M-1911 by several firearms manufacturers such as Ithaca,
Remington-Rand, Union Switch etc. Several thousands of this firearm were
produced during the war period. ACP stands for "Automatic Colt
Pistol."
M-9 Beretta 9mm
Mission
Defeat
the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Also used as a general field and
utility knife.
Entered Army Service
M1905
for WWI
Description and Specifications
The M1942 was
designed as the edged weapon for both the Springfield 1903 series and
the M1 Garand Rifle.
| |
M1905 |
| Blade
length (prior to 1942): |
16.00
in |
| Blade
length (after 1942): |
10.00
in |
Mission
Defeat
the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Also used as a general field and
utility knife.
Entered Army Service
M1942
for WWII
Description and Specifications
The M1942 was
designed as the edged weapon for the M1 Garand Rifle.
| |
M1942 |
| Blade
length: |
16.00
in |
Mission
Defeat
the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Also used as a general field and
utility knife.
Entered Army Service
M6 (1957)
Description and Specifications
The M6
bayonet-knife is used as a bayonet on the M14 series rifle and as a hand
weapon.
| |
M6 |
| Blade
length: |
6.75
in |
| Total
length: |
11.5
in |
