Historic Photos/GAF weapons

[RattlesnakeJack]

......  And take a close look at the 4th standing sailor from the left!

Definitely missed that!  

(But then I'm an old, half-blind Canuck, eh?     )

[Pitspitr]

Definitely missed that!  

(But then I'm an old, half-blind Canuck, eh?     )

Eh!

[Drydock]

Rum? 

[Frenchie]

Aye, rum! This is one of those things that transcend national pride and make all those who plough the waves into brothers. That's why I submit Pusser's Rum as the best.

[RattlesnakeJack]

Rum?  

Is rum only a Royal Navy tradition?  

It was issued daily (a pint, diluted 3:1) to British sailors for over 300 years, from the mid 1600's until 1970!  (The Royal Canadian Navy did not discontinue the daily rum issue until 1972 ...)

[Drydock]

Ah, Nelsons blood!

[RattlesnakeJack]

Ah, Nelsons blood!

AYE!!!   

[S. Quentin Quale, Esq.]

The USN tradition of drinking aboard ship came to an end after the passage of the Volstead Act when then SECNAV Josephus Daniels ended the practice by Instruction.

I understand that from time to time there is a modern "beer call."  I've seen photos of the event aboard a Bird Farm visiting Diego Garcia.  I've heard of it happening during long deployments when the Captain orders a "rope yarn" and everybody over 18 gets one.

While I enjoy Pussers, I prefer Myers.   

I've also got a set of signal flags I bought from the Pusser's web site so I can signal "Splice the Mainbrace" when the spirit moves me!   

SQQ

[Niederlander]

We had a beer call after we left Somalia, since we hadn't had any liberty calls for about two and half months.  Every man aboard was allowed two beers.  (Budweiser, as I recall.)

[Drydock]

Just to ease things back on track here:

[Drydock]

Not historical, but a favorite none the less:

[Niederlander]

Just to ease things back on track here:

Krags?!  Those are '03 Springfields.  Another fine weapon!

[Niederlander]

Not historical, but a favorite none the less:

I have to see that scene on Youtube every so often.  Motivation!

[Drydock]

Oops!  Wrong picture, fixed it, thanks Ned.

[Pitspitr]

I have to see that scene on Youtube every so often.  Motivation!

Pardon my ignorance, but what should I search to find it on you tube or do you have a link?

[Niederlander]

Youtube The Wind and the Lion, Part 8.  Great scene!

[Drydock]

Here's another. 

[Pitspitr]

I'm kind of surprised that a competitive rifle team woldn't be armed with the "latest & greatest"

[Niederlander]

Not that surprising in that the Navy probably didn't have many '03's at that point.  Besides, the Krag was always known to be a VERY accurate rifle.  By the way, did you notice that Cornhusker in the front row???!!!!!!  Who'd have thought?!

[Drydock]

Krags in the Hands of Navy, Marine and National Guard competitors regularly beat the Army 03 equipped team for some years,  Around 1910 it was outlawed at the interservice compitions, you had to field the 03.  Whatever its faults, it was a superbly accurate rifle.  The round itself was more ballisticaly consistant, and retained better crosswind performance at extended ranges than the early 150 grain 03 loading.  One of the reasons the 1927 match load went to a heavier bullet.