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Odd M1 Foregrip


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I was trying to do a search for a thread about the modified foregrip for the M1/M1A1s that had the verticle grip attached to the horizontal grip used some in WWII. I did not know what to enter to find something about them, so my search was not very successful. Does anyone have a good picture of one, and possibly have one for sale or know where I can get one? Thanks.

 

Scott

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Scott,

I know what you're talking about...it's one hell of a strange looking combo. As a matter of fact, unless someone else here beats me to it, I used to have a pic of one in my files...let me see if I can find it and I'll send it to you on this forum or the WW2 one... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Rob

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BINGO!

Scott...is this what your'e looking for?

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/smith.jpg

This one's in the Smithsonian...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/ghostsoldier/marine.jpg

Here's a Marine on Tinian using it...

 

Rumor has it you can still buy these in repro from Sarco...

Hope this helps!

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Rob, That's what I am looking for. Thanks. I remember seeing a real good picture of some (I think) 2nd Armored troops in Normandy dressed in the cammo uniforms, and one with a Thompson that had one of those grips on it. I would love to see it again. Does anyone know if these were made as an alternative to the horizontal grip, or were they something soldiers threw together. It looks like nothing more than a rear pistol grip attached to the fore grip.

 

AC556, although that is not what I was looking for, I am still considering purchasing one of those reinforcing bands.

 

Scott

 

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Here's a couple of those foregrips in a collection.

Sure looks like somebody was manufacturing them...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/zamm/heaven.jpg

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Scott,

Here's the link about this grip...go to the index at the left, click on "1998 Index", and scroll down to the first listing, "Vol. 98 - December 15, 1998, Field Modification Foregrip"...

 

Thompson Collectors Article Index

 

Give Sarco a call and see what they say...

Rob

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Hey Zamm, I take it that is your collection http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/tongue.gif : . Man-O-man, I would love to have just one of those M1 Thompsons.

 

Rob, I forgot about that article. It has been a while since I looked at that website. Thanks. I will have to give Sarco a call, unless someone has a foregrip and pistol grip they are not using and could part with at a reasonable price http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif .

 

Scott

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I have a question about this. Why did the Military go with the horizontal grip anyway? Just because of the "breakage" factor? Or was there some other reason? The Thompson is much more controllable with the front vertical grip. I've seen plenty of pics of GI's holding on to the sling at the swivel while firing so this is why the above mentioned field mod was born. So why was it changed??
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I ain't no expert Hawk, but I would think removing it was another factor in streamlining the production design of the M1 for the US military...a 2-piece grip would probably take longer to manufacture than the one-piece design (not to mention the fact that the extra handle was a liablility as far as storage, transporting, and just general "hang-up-on-everything-and-break-off" conceivableness....(is that a word?)

Rob

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QUOTE (ghostsoldier @ Apr 4 2006, 06:33 PM)
I ain't no expert Hawk, but I would think removing it was another factor in streamlining the production design of the M1 for the US military...a 2-piece grip would probably take longer to manufacture than the one-piece design (not to mention the fact that the extra handle was a liablility as far as storage, transporting, and just general "hang-up-on-everything-and-break-off" conceivableness....(is that a word?)
Rob

The horizonal front grip was introduced on the 28 Navy in the late 20's, long before they worried about streamlining mass production. As I recall, Frank's book mentions that the military wanted a more "conventional" look and a better place to mount the sling swivel.

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QUOTE (Hawkeye_Joe @ Apr 4 2006, 06:45 PM)
QUOTE
a 2-piece grip would probably take longer to manufacture than the one-piece design

 

But that front grip is not two piece..... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/slap.gif

My bad, Hawk...I always thought that it was made from 2 pieces of wood... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif

Rob

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I found this picture on the internet. It show a group of 82nd paratroopers getting ready for the MarketGarden jump. I was unable to enlarge the picture with my meager photo-editing software. Check out the para standing in the door with the Thompson. He has a modified pistol grip attached to his 1928, and it looks like he had two XXX mags welded together front to back for quicker reloading.

 

http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/m1t...nt=prejump2.jpg

 

If anyone can enlarge it to get a better look let me know.

 

Scott

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My bad, Hawk...I always thought that it was made from 2 pieces of wood... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif

Rob,

 

It is a two-piece grip. It was a pistol grip screwed on to a horizontal fore grip. It was a field modification, probably done at a an Ordnance Division level, not a standard mass-produced item from the factory.

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QUOTE (M1tommygun @ Apr 5 2006, 03:30 AM)
If anyone can enlarge it to get a better look let me know.

Damn these old eyes...I can't quite make it out, Scott....epecially the 2 mags connected together... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif...maybe Hawk can blow it up larger...

Rob

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QUOTE (gijive @ Apr 5 2006, 11:11 AM)
QUOTE

My bad, Hawk...I always thought that it was made from 2 pieces of wood... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif

Rob,

 

It is a two-piece grip. It was a pistol grip screwed on to a horizontal fore grip. It was a field modification, probably done at a an Ordnance Division level, not a standard mass-produced item from the factory.

He and I were talking about the original vertical foregrip jive...not the modified grip.... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/slap.gif

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QUOTE (Hawkeye_Joe @ Apr 5 2006, 01:04 PM)

He and I were talking about the original vertical foregrip jive...not the modified grip.... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/slap.gif

Hawkeye,

 

Sorry, my error. I stand corrected.

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Hawk,

 

I emailed you a copy of the picture. I hope you can get a larger copy of the picture on the forum. I can enlarge it, but photobucket will not save it enlarged. It resizes it to the size I posted. It is a cool picture to see enlarged, especially the Thompson I mentioned.

 

I emailed Sarco about the grip, but I have not heard back from them yet. I would really like to make one if I cannot find one.

 

Scott

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Scott,

It's been my experience dealing with Sarco that if you want to know something, you gotta call 'em on the 800 number on their website...emails don't usually make it through and back from those folks...

Rob

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/Hawkeye/WWII%20pics/marketgarden.jpg

 

Ok here is the pic.. I resized it a little and tried to sharpen up the image. You can see the mags better now. It looks like they have something wrapped around them I'm not sure what that white stick is though.

 

 

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QUOTE (Hawkeye_Joe @ Apr 5 2006, 04:40 PM)
I'm not sure what that white stick is though.

Joe...maybe it's one of them there "Top Secret Cyalume sticks" they were developing to help them in defeating the Hun... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/laugh.gif

Thanks for the enlargement! That's a heck of a lot better! Are those mags taped together with friction tape?

Rob

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