Weapons that have stoood the test of time

SaoriseBiker

Watching an episode of Lock and Load I have recorded on the digi box, R Lee Emery mentions the Browning .50 Machine gun. It was designed in 1918 and is still in use to this day. So it got me thinking, what other weapons have stood the test of time and are still in use today ?

.50 Browning

Here's more on the .50 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2_Browning_machine_gun

Another weapon to stand the test of time is the good old Bayonet from France which goes back to the 1600's. Wouldn't fancy thrusting it through another human all the same I have to confess, rather blow them up or shot them from a distance if i had to :eek:

ShaunC

One of my favourites has to be the bow and arrow. One weapon that will be in use for a long time yet.

SaoriseBiker

ShaunC wrote: »

One of my favourites has to be the bow and arrow. One weapon that will be in use for a long time yet.

Wouldn't think too many army's are using bows and arrows these days However on one episode of Lock and Load, they stated that a crossbow type device is still used to fire grappling hooks etc The hand grenade also has been around a long time, and then their is the Molotov cocktail developed by the resourceful Finns against the USSR.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molotov_cocktail

tac foley

The Colt M1911.

ANY bolt action based on the original Mauser design.

ANY sliding [vertical or horizontal] breech-loading artillery. Same goes for interrupted thread breech-block artillery.

ANY mortar - with the exception of the Russian 240mm mortar, they are all muzzleloaders - just like the very first 'gonnes'.

Just about any compressed air gun - as used by Austrian troops in the Napoleonic Wars, and by Lewis and Clark in their 1805 expedition.

tac

Mr. Tezza

You talking about specific models?

If so the Colt 1911, massively popular and still in production to this day

The Bren gun mkIII i think it is, althought modified to chamber 7.62mm rounds is still in use with the British Army I think, someone please correct me if its been put out of service (the irish army still have Bren gun mkIII's unused, still in grease afaik)

The AK 47, timeless classic, being produced in wide numbers to this day

About the Bow and Arrow, although the design had changed the concept/shape is still in use today, I heard somewhere that some special forces groups have adopted it for quiet takedown's, stuff like that, can someone with more knowledge verify/expand on this?

tac foley

If so the Colt 1911, massively popular and still in production to this day.

Yup - at least fifteen companies in USA are making a version of this venerable pistol. Might be making a comback, too, with US Navy SF.

The Bren gun mkIII i think it is, althought modified to chamber 7.62mm rounds is still in use with the British Army I think, someone please correct me if its been put out of service (the irish army still have Bren gun mkIII's unused, still in grease afaik)

The British Army used them in GW1 and then at the end of 1991, declared them all STR.

The AK 47, timeless classic, being produced in wide numbers to this day.

As is the successor - the AK74.

About the Bow and Arrow, although the design had changed the concept/shape is still in use today, I heard somewhere that some special forces groups have adopted it for quiet takedown's, stuff like that, can someone with more knowledge verify/expand on this?

There are, I'm told, some SF who use a compound crossbow pistol, as well as the compound Bow-Tech upper that fits on the issue M4. Brings a whole new meaning to the term 'a bolt from the blue...'

tac

tac foley

ShaunC wrote: »

One of my favourites has to be the bow and arrow. One weapon that will be in use for a long time yet.

Yup, the way the world is going, it might survive them all...

tac

Jawgap

Anything with a blade or an edge. A spear. Even a sling firing ball bearings is going to sting a bit if it catches you!

The Lee Enfield MkIV is still is regular use with the Canadian Rangers - because of its resilience in the Arctic environment.

gatling guns and rotary canon (M61 Vulcan) go back to the 1860s

John_D80

The Mark 1 fist. The original and still the best

tac foley

Jawgap wrote: »

Anything with a blade or an edge. A spear. Even a sling firing ball bearings is going to sting a bit if it catches you!

The Lee Enfield MkIV is still is regular use with the Canadian Rangers - because of its resilience in the Arctic environment.

gatling guns and rotary canon (M61 Vulcan) go back to the 1860s

Good example there, with the Gatling gun.

As for the venerable Canadian Rangers use of the old No4 - all over bar the shouting this year, I'm afraid.

Please read -

OTTAWA - So the Canadian Rangers — the Arctic militia — are getting a new rifle to replace the iconic Lee-Enfield Mk4 that they've carried since they first stood up in 1947.
According to the army, the supply of parts to repair or replace damaged or lost weapons is completely exhausted.
Some will say it's about time. Others will lament the end of the Enfield era, which means saying goodbye to the century-old .303 British cartridge, too.
The defence department and the Rangers themselves have agreed the new cartridge will be the .308 Winchester, one of the most popular big-game hunting cartridges in North America. It is also the standard 7.62 NATO military round used by the Canadian Forces.
But first they must choose a replacement rifle for the venerable Lee-Enfield, which was designed in 1895, and that won't be easy.
"Old it may be, but it's durable, accurate, reliable, and fast handling," said famed gun scribe Terry Wieland, who served in the Canadian Forces reserves. "The Lee-Enfield is one of the very best rifles ever developed for the joint-use as a military and hunting rifle the way it was employed by the Canadian Rangers."
The government intends to buy 10,200 new Ranger rifles — whatever they may be — and has provided some details about what qualities the new Canadian Ranger Rifle must have, and the Rangers themselves weighed in during a series of workshops last summer.
(The first of the new guns will be delivered by late fall 2013 or early winter 2014.)
Among the requirements is that the gun have a "distinctive look" that instills pride in the Rangers and becomes a symbol of the Arctic militia. The government is also restricting the search to commercial-off-the-shelf offerings with only “minor customization."
One option would be for the government to contract Colt Canada, the Canadian Forces' small arms manufacturer in Kitchener, Ont., to build a new generation of improved, modernized Lee-Enfields chambered in .308 Winchester, or buy Enfield replicas currently produced by an Australian firm. But concerns about quality, and the need for an off-the-shelf product rule both of these out.
Another option still — proposed by this writer — would be the Ruger Gunsite Scout with a few notable modifications: a 20-inch barrel, and a light, durable fiberglass stock in army green with the Ranger emblem embedded in the buttstock.
Whatever gun the government decides to buy for the Canadian Rangers, one thing is certain, it should be the best firearm available to them for the self-defence, military, and hunting applications they need it for.
The Rangers are a proud symbol and integral part of a Canadian north strong and free. From search and rescue operations under the most hellish conditions, to patrolling and being a presence in the frozen Arctic and remote coastal regions, the Rangers deserve no less than the absolute best equipment money can buy … or build.

Bryn Weese

Coupla things here- having been there - THE definitive replacement would be, IMO and that of real experts, the US-made M-14. The Garand functioned like a watch in the Korean War, where climatic conditions were very much the same, ie, cold.

The 'Enfield replicas currently produced by an Australian firm' are now known to be mostly sh!te, and were made, not in Australia, but Viet Nam.

The four or five in our club here were all returned to the vendor as useless POS, and that's in OUR climate.

tac

Pat Mustard

Fairbairn-Sykes knife.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairbairn-Sykes_Fighting_Knife

Pat Mustard

Remington 870 shotgun, first manufactured in 1951, used today by the Irish Army Ranger Wing, among many other defence forces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Model_870

Pat Mustard

M72 LAW (light anti-tank weapon), rocket launcher.

The USA has been using this since the Vietnam War in the 1960's. Many other defence forces still use the M72LAW to this day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M72_LAW

SaoriseBiker

Mr. Tezza wrote: »

You talking about specific models?

If so the Colt 1911, massively popular and still in production to this day

The Bren gun mkIII i think it is, althought modified to chamber 7.62mm rounds is still in use with the British Army I think, someone please correct me if its been put out of service (the irish army still have Bren gun mkIII's unused, still in grease afaik)

Yeah, I thought about the Bren which I fired in me auld days in the FCA. Fnatastic weapon, according to this wiki it was in use by Ireland's RDF up to 2008 ? According to the wiki " The Bren is still sold by Indian Ordance Factories as the Gun, Machine 7.62mm 1B " http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/weapons/wsc/16.htm

Here's a proud member of the French Resistance posing with one -

The AK 47, timeless classic, being produced in wide numbers to this day

About the Bow and Arrow, although the design had changed the concept/shape is still in use today, I heard somewhere that some special forces groups have adopted it for quiet takedown's, stuff like that, can someone with more knowledge verify/expand on this?

The good old AK47, nothing to beat, still around and will be so for a long time to come.

SaoriseBiker

tac foley wrote: »

Good example there, with the Gatling gun.

As for the venerable Canadian Rangers use of the old No4 - all over bar the shouting this year, I'm afraid.

Please read -

OTTAWA - So the Canadian Rangers — the Arctic militia — are getting a new rifle to replace the iconic Lee-Enfield Mk4 that they've carried since they first stood up in 1947.
According to the army, the supply of parts to repair or replace damaged or lost weapons is completely exhausted.
Some will say it's about time. Others will lament the end of the Enfield era, which means saying goodbye to the century-old .303 British cartridge, too.
The defence department and the Rangers themselves have agreed the new cartridge will be the .308 Winchester, one of the most popular big-game hunting cartridges in North America. It is also the standard 7.62 NATO military round used by the Canadian Forces.
But first they must choose a replacement rifle for the venerable Lee-Enfield, which was designed in 1895, and that won't be easy.
"Old it may be, but it's durable, accurate, reliable, and fast handling," said famed gun scribe Terry Wieland, who served in the Canadian Forces reserves. "The Lee-Enfield is one of the very best rifles ever developed for the joint-use as a military and hunting rifle the way it was employed by the Canadian Rangers."
The government intends to buy 10,200 new Ranger rifles — whatever they may be — and has provided some details about what qualities the new Canadian Ranger Rifle must have, and the Rangers themselves weighed in during a series of workshops last summer.
(The first of the new guns will be delivered by late fall 2013 or early winter 2014.)
Among the requirements is that the gun have a "distinctive look" that instills pride in the Rangers and becomes a symbol of the Arctic militia. The government is also restricting the search to commercial-off-the-shelf offerings with only “minor customization."
One option would be for the government to contract Colt Canada, the Canadian Forces' small arms manufacturer in Kitchener, Ont., to build a new generation of improved, modernized Lee-Enfields chambered in .308 Winchester, or buy Enfield replicas currently produced by an Australian firm. But concerns about quality, and the need for an off-the-shelf product rule both of these out.
Another option still — proposed by this writer — would be the Ruger Gunsite Scout with a few notable modifications: a 20-inch barrel, and a light, durable fiberglass stock in army green with the Ranger emblem embedded in the buttstock.
Whatever gun the government decides to buy for the Canadian Rangers, one thing is certain, it should be the best firearm available to them for the self-defence, military, and hunting applications they need it for.
The Rangers are a proud symbol and integral part of a Canadian north strong and free. From search and rescue operations under the most hellish conditions, to patrolling and being a presence in the frozen Arctic and remote coastal regions, the Rangers deserve no less than the absolute best equipment money can buy … or build.

Bryn Weese

Coupla things here- having been there - THE definitive replacement would be, IMO and that of real experts, the US-made M-14. The Garand functioned like a watch in the Korean War, where climatic conditions were very much the same, ie, cold.

The 'Enfield replicas currently produced by an Australian firm' are now known to be mostly sh!te, and were made, not in Australia, but Viet Nam.

The four or five in our club here were all returned to the vendor as useless POS, and that's in OUR climate.

tac

Very interesting, I Googled and that article was written in October 2011, never thought that the old .303 would have been used by anyone except the possibility of some tribesmen in some mountains or the jungle or something. I also fired it in the FCA, incredible kick off it but deadly accurate, you could bring down an elephant with it.

Mr. Tezza

SaoriseBiker wrote: »

Yeah, I thought about the Bren which I fired in me auld days in the FCA. Fnatastic weapon, according to this wiki it was in use by Ireland's RDF up to 2008 ? According to the wiki " The Bren is still sold by Indian Ordance Factories as the Gun, Machine 7.62mm 1B " http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/weapons/wsc/16.htm

It sure was, I remember being trained on it before the gpmg came about, lovely weapon, If my history is correct the Bren was first developed during WW1 where the brits used it, it was the bren mkII that was used in WW2 and the bren mkIII came out in the 50s?

The Irish army bought a load of bren mkIIIs, many to which were never used because they are not a NATO sanctioned weapon cos they use the old .303 Inch ammunition, which is why the brits modified/rechambered theres to fire 7.62mm which is NATO sanctioned... the Irish didn't instead getting the gpmg and the FCA/RDF got the bren guns, some still in the grease they left the factory in (Seen this first-hand). but it has since been decomissioned and replaced by the gpmg, I think they were sold to some mid-African countries

whydave

Mr. Tezza wrote: »

About the Bow and Arrow, although the design had changed the concept/shape is still in use today, I heard somewhere that some special forces groups have adopted it for quiet takedown's, stuff like that, can someone with more knowledge verify/expand on this?

whydave wrote: »

Yerevan hosted a grandiose military parade dedicated to 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. The festive Republic Square gathered huge masses, greeting marching soldiers of Armenian, Artsakh and Russian armies. Armenia. 21st September 2011

From here

SaoriseBiker

Mr. Tezza wrote: »

It sure was, I remember being trained on it before the gpmg came about, lovely weapon, If my history is correct the Bren was first developed during WW1 where the brits used it, it was the bren mkII that was used in WW2 and the bren mkIII came out in the 50s?

The Irish army bought a load of bren mkIIIs, many to which were never used because they are not a NATO sanctioned weapon cos they use the old .303 Inch ammunition, which is why the brits modified/rechambered theres to fire 7.62mm which is NATO sanctioned... the Irish didn't instead getting the gpmg and the FCA/RDF got the bren guns, some still in the grease they left the factory in (Seen this first-hand). but it has since been decomissioned and replaced by the gpmg, I think they were sold to some mid-African countries

According to this wiki, the Bren was developed in the 1930's no specific date http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bren_light_machine_gun Appearently it was based on the Czech ZB vz. 26 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZB_vz._26

tac foley

BR = Brno
EN = Enfield

It always caught my eye when it appeared in use by the Wehrmacht during WW2. Of course, it was originally designed to shoot a rimless cased cartridge, hence the straighter-looking magazine holding 32 rounds instead of the British rimmed .303.

Converting it to fire the then-new NATO cartridge in the late 50's restored the straighter magazine.

What a fabulous gun it was, too. Accurate enough to be used as in
the target marker role with tracer out to 600m...and THE definitive falling-plate killer.

tac

Jawgap

Bofors 40mm cannon- still in service nearly 80 years since it was introduced and probably one of the few weapons to be used by both Allies and Axis during WWII. Do the PDF still have some?

In some of the footage from Syria there seems to be a few vehicle mounted DShKs knocking about

Teangalad

the bap?

any mortar...

submarine?

the tank?

RMD

Some might not classify directly as a weapon but the B52 was introduced in 1955 and is planned to be kept in use till 2045, an amazing lifespan for a military plane. Brought death to many by this point.

It wasn't me!

A truly timeless classic.

DonLimon

I once heard that during the Vietnam war the Vietcong used to track lines of US troops and pick them off with crosssbows. Sounds like just tall tale, but I'm certain they were used to some degree in that war.

Barratt also got in trouble for selling crossbow to the Serbs during the 90s.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/1999/aug/09/balkans

The Mosin Nagant also deserves a mention, designed in 1891 and although replaced after WWII still in use by Russian police and special forces as a sniper rifle, as well as by paramilitaries in Chechnya and Afghanistan.

Mr. Tezza

Teangalad wrote: »

the bap?

any mortar...

submarine?

the tank?

The bap... how has that stood the test of time?

Witcher

Mr. Tezza wrote: »

The bap... how has that stood the test of time?

Still in service with several armies which is an achievement given the variety of 9mm pistols nowadays.

twinytwo

The Tomahawk is still issued to some units in the us army.

SaoriseBiker

Teangalad wrote: »

the bap?

any mortar...

submarine?

the tank?

Yeah, I can see your point, but hasn't the tank and submarine been greatly changed and improved since their first use. Whereas if you take the AK47 or the .50 Browning, apart form a few small modifications, their still almost the exact today same as when they came out first.

eyescreamcone

Intelligence

Pat Mustard

twinytwo wrote: »

The Tomahawk is still issued to some units in the us army.

It seems you are not wrong!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90038&page=1

Mr. Tezza

Blay wrote: »

Still in service with several armies which is an achievement given the variety of 9mm pistols nowadays.

True I suppose, not a great firearm in my opinion (i've fired it on numerous ocassions). Only reason it remains in service even though browning don't make it anymore afaik is because people buy knock off parts from eastern europe where copies are made/sold to keeo the original ones going...

Delancey

In WW2 the US produced a sub-machine gun which was dubbed the Grease Gun because of it similarity to that device - apparently that was stll in use by tank crews in Desert Storm for defence if they were required to abandon the Abrams.

Cork boy 55

DonLimon wrote: »

I once heard that during the Vietnam war the Vietcong used to track lines of US troops and pick them off with crosssbows. Sounds like just tall tale, but I'm certain they were used to some degree in that war.

...

Don't know if the VC used them,
but, In the remote mountains and jungles of indochina there are tribal primitive populations distinct from the rest of the population called
Montagnards (People from the mountain)

During the indo-china wars they often sided against the communists.
Small teams of US special forces went into the mountains and trained and advised them and formed them into fighting units. there where expert hunters
The Montagnards used their hunting crossbows and bows in combat as well as weapons given to them or captured
Some small elements of these populations especially in Laos are still fighting communism to this day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montagnard_%28Vietnam%29



This film examines how the Montagnards (a primitive tribe living in the Vietnamese central highlands) were trained by the U.S. to defend their territories against the Viet Cong. The film illustrates the methods used by Army Special Forces to win over these tribesmen to the South Vietnam cause.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCjFb7Z_0AA

US green berets inspecting a Montagnard crossbow in vietnam

I wonder would the FN FAL count? First made in 1947, recently selected as a sniper support weapon for the Rangers.

goldie fish

Not just the rangers.

marienbad

The rock ?

goldie fish

goldie fish wrote: »

Not just the rangers.

I stand corrected. Is there *still* a unit up in Donegal that drills with the FN? I heard there was some RDF units still doing that until recently.

Tenger

Mr. Tezza wrote: »

About the Bow and Arrow, although the design had changed the concept/shape is still in use today, I heard somewhere that some special forces groups have adopted it for quiet takedown's, stuff like that, can someone with more knowledge verify/expand on this?

They could but may have to do a practical demonstration of 'silent kill'

Mr. Tezza

Tenger wrote: »

They could but may have to do a practical demonstration of 'silent kill'

As long as its not me they demonstrate on, I could however nominate a few people...

goldie fish

Deleted User wrote: »

I stand corrected. Is there *still* a unit up in Donegal that drills with the FN? I heard there was some RDF units still doing that until recently.

No. All rdf units converted to the Steyr in 2002. The FN is used as a Sniper team spotters rifle. It has also remained in use in the Naval Service for firing line throwing rockets.

Del2005

tac foley wrote: »

BR = Brno
EN = Enfield

It always caught my eye when it appeared in use by the Wehrmacht during WW2.

The German's used everyone's weapons one of the reasons they lost. Too many types of different weapons/ammo for the supply lines to handle.

tac foley wrote: »

What a fabulous gun it was, too. Accurate enough to be used as in
the target marker role with tracer out to 600m...and THE definitive falling-plate killer.

tac

Watching too much TV, but wasn't that a flaw for a machine gun being too accurate? You fire off a few rounds and they all hit the same place/person, while most others machine guns that aren't as accurate hit more people.

Delancey wrote: »

In WW2 the US produced a sub-machine gun which was dubbed the Grease Gun because of it similarity to that device - apparently that was stll in use by tank crews in Desert Storm for defence if they were required to abandon the Abrams.

The M3

muppet01

The Lee Enfield .303 is still in use in a few spots

Lullymore24

The Mustard wrote: »

Remington 870 shotgun, first manufactured in 1951, used today by the Irish Army Ranger Wing, among many other defence forces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Model_870

The Pump Action Shotgun was in Combat long before Remington brought out the 870.
The Pump Action was in operation before & during The Great War as a Trench Clearer and Riot Gun.

Stovepipe

The winchester trench Gun was in service thru WW 1 and even the Irish had it, in the early days of the Defence Forces.

regards
Stovepipe

Lullymore24

Stovepipe wrote: »

The winchester trench Gun was in service thru WW 1 and even the Irish had it, in the early days of the Defence Forces.

regards
Stovepipe

There was also a Browning Semi Auto Shotgun/Trench Gun around the same period or perhaps a few years later.
I have a friend in the states that has a Pump in His collection, and I think he may also have a Semi wit bayonet
Here is the Pump

Jawgap

Beloved of anarchists, proto-revolutionaries and Soviet soldiers when attacking tanks.........

Littlehorny

Just done a quick search and a form of hand grenade was used in the 10th century in Greece, stone and ceramic bowls which were later made of glass. These fire bombs could even be older and the idea spread accross the Middle East and on to China.

Captain Chaos

The B-52 bomber. The USAF reckons they have another 30-40+ years in them yet. When they type is finally phased out of service it will have served close to 100 years. Long range Tomahawk launcher for heavily defended targets, once the air threats are down they become an orbiting weapons supermarket. Troops can call down any combination of GPS, laser guided or WCMDs with bunker buster, standard or delayed warheads and fusing options day or night.

Merch

crossbow, more so than bow and arrow, as more practical

MG42/MG3, Only small changes from the original

I'll add the club to that (club/mace/riot baton) one of the simplest weapons

goldie fish

Jawgap wrote: »

Beloved of anarchists, proto-revolutionaries and Soviet soldiers when attacking tanks.........

Quite a more recent invention than one would expect. Finland, 1940 or thereabouts.

Donny5

Captain Chaos wrote: »

The B-52 bomber. The USAF reckons they have another 30-40+ years in them yet. When they type is finally phased out of service it will have served close to 100 years. Long range Tomahawk launcher for heavily defended targets, once the air threats are down they become an orbiting weapons supermarket. Troops can call down any combination of GPS, laser guided or WCMDs with bunker buster, standard or delayed warheads and fusing options day or night.

Well, the thing about the B-52s is that you're not likely to find many parts on any Stratofortress that was there when it was built. The TLAM is even worse in that regard, in that the current generation shares nothing more than external dimensions with the originals.