Welcome to today’s photo of the day! Here we have an extremely interesting piece and something out of the norm for Photo of The Day. This one is courtesy of the Rock Island Arsenal Museum Facebook page (be sure to check them out!). Saw this cool image thanks to TFB editor: Hrachya H. This is an 1897 75mm artillery piece fitted with an 1903 Springfield rifle chambered for .30-06 Sprg. These sub-caliber devices were intended to reduce the cost of expensive and dwindling artillery ammunition. The Springfield 1903 rifle mounted on top of this barrel would mimic a similar trajectory to the artillery piece. It was a way to train the troops on how to use the gun to shoot accurately without spending a lot of money.
“Sub-caliber devices were used in the training of artillery soldiers and allowed them to train without using more expensive full-size ammunition and reduced gun barrel wear.
Pictured is a 75mm M1897 gun fitted with a T2E2 sub-caliber mount holding a Springfield M1903 rifle. The rifle would fire a bullet downward on the same trajectory as a full-size cartridge, allowing soldiers to practice firing the gun and targeting.
It is likely that almost everything pictured was produced at Rock Island Arsenal, including the carriage, recoil mechanism, rifle and mount.
Sub-caliber devices. (nd). facebook.com/RIAMuseum. photograph. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/RIAMuseum.
