Pop's M1A1 WWII 507th PIR

[MikeW]

Today my Dad asked me to stop by his house and take pics of my Grandfathers M1A1 Carbine. I was happy to do so and thought I would share them here since there are a few carbine fans on TGO.

I have a few pieces of WWII gear that my grandfather gave me from when he was a WWII paratrooper in the 507th PIR (e.g. Compass, wings, etc). Pop was a real charater and was tough as nails until he passed away a few years ago. Pop was proud to be a paratrooper and talked of how hard they had to PT to "be ready".

More than half of the 507th was KIA during D-day and the Battle of the Buldge...

The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment(PIR) during World War II

Details:

Early Highwood M1A1 Stock

6 digit Inland

Rear peep sight

No bayonet band

[56FordGuy]

Very nice looking rifle. I'm not familiar with the Paratrooper versions, why doesn't it have the bayonet lug?

Great family heirloom, thanks for sharing.

[MikeW]

Thanks

None of the Early M1 Carbines had bayonet lugs. Later carbines after mid '43 (I think) came with lugs and early carbines that went through a rebuild were outfitted with a lug and a different rear sight.

[dkd83]

Great pics...the 507th was the unit designation at US Army Airborne School when I went through in 1993. I bet it is still the designation.

[jtluttrell]

Was the folding stock standard for paratroopers? very nice to yhave his rifle though!

[MikeW]

Great pics...the 507th was the unit designation at US Army Airborne School when I went through in 1993. I bet it is still the designation.

I believe the 507th was reactivated sometime prior/during the gulf war.

as the folding stock standard for paratroopers? very nice to yhave his rifle though!

The folders are the ones that are called "paratrooper carbines"... However, I have watch movies with old footage ( Down to Earth- 507th) and most had M1 Garands.

[Mike.357]

I may well be wrong but i had thought they jumped with folding stocks, and later used Garands when they jumped from truck tailgates.

Beautiful rifle anyway.

[MikeW]

I may well be wrong but i had thought they jumped with folding stocks, and later used Garands when they jumped from truck tailgates.

Beautiful rifle anyway.

You may be right Mike.357 I was just going by what I watched in the movie. Now that I think about it they were always on the ground when pictured with the Garands.

[gregintenn]

Awesome!

[Guest Moody]

Mike, that is quite a display. I love it.

[Will]

Only a small amount were orderded from Inland only,these were mixed in with

Garands BAR and machine guns per unit.

[Guest tlondon]

nice pics. and nice weapon

[Magiccarpetrides]

Very cool!

[DMark]

MikeW,

Great Pics.

And for your Grand Dad...., "All The Way - AIRBORNE!"

[Guest 73challenger]

In WWII were soldiers given there rifles? I was just wondering how they brought them home. Seems like this would never happen today!

[ShaunM]

Very nice!