What sniper rifles were used by American GIs in World War 2? I gather from numerous web hits that the M1-D Garand and the M1903 Springfield were widely used, but I know from my Dad's accounts that he carried a rifle of foreign manufacture with the 36th Infantry Division in Italy and Sounthern France. Unfortunately, Dad is not around to ask any more, and I did not even take the opportunity to write down the country of origin when he shared this story. I would be curious to hear about other accounts of GIs being equipped with "foreign" sniper rifles.
The most widely equiped where the M1903 and the M1 although (I'm not sure) some would have been equiped with the Enfield No.4. Other foreign manufacturers I'm not so sure of. Welcome to the forums Steve.
I think you will find that the M1C-D only made it to the front line in limited numbers the 1903A4 being the standard. This was even used in the Korean War. As for foreign makes I would have thought the Lee Enfield would be the best guess but I wouldn't bet against a captured German rifle. These were also very effective, ammo being the obvious problem,
(Steve Kite @ Jan 14 2006, 02:30 AM) [post=44366]What sniper rifles were used by American GIs in World War 2? I gather from numerous web hits that the M1-D Garand and the M1903 Springfield were widely used, but I know from my Dad's accounts that he carried a rifle of foreign manufacture with the 36th Infantry Division in Italy and Sounthern France. Unfortunately, Dad is not around to ask any more, and I did not even take the opportunity to write down the country of origin when he shared this story. I would be curious to hear about other accounts of GIs being equipped with "foreign" sniper rifles. [/b] Your dad may have been using a battlefield pickup, but it was pretty definitely NOT an American-issued weapon. The US did not formally issue sniper rifles of other national makes, though of course soldiers in combat frequently make use of enemy equipment if they need to. Doc2
A lot of sniping was done without specialized weapons, most by the common soldier with a keen eye and a standard issue rifle shooting with open sights. The term sniper is anyone shooting at an exposed enemy from a concealed position. Cheers Bob
I would say that a sniper is more than that. A sniper is specialy trained and equiped for the role that they fill, plus the tactical use of a sniper differs considerably from than of a soldier. They may use ordinary equipment but I would suggest that the key difference is the training and tactical deployment of these troops.
(Glider @ Jan 16 2006, 08:22 AM) [post=44413]I would say that a sniper is more than that. A sniper is specialy trained and equiped for the role that they fill, plus the tactical use of a sniper differs considerably from than of a soldier. They may use ordinary equipment but I would suggest that the key difference is the training and tactical deployment of these troops. [/b] I would say they would be in at least (2) categories. Specialist: As per Glider's description above. Specific for time, place, target opportunity etc General: Sniping by soldier/soldiers in a particular operation or ad hoc opportunity. IMHO sniping was/is an art of undetection, opportunity & patience with "dead eye" accuracy in nearly 100% of hits.
