What a job...

drache

drache

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I really don't think I'd have agreed to this job... too much pressure :eek:

The Model 1897 was used by American troops for other purposes in World War I other than a force multiplier. American soldiers who were skilled at trap shooting were armed with these guns and stationed where they could fire at enemy hand grenades in midair. This would deflect the grenades from falling into the American trenches and therefore protect American soldiers.
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Williamson, Harold F. (1952). Winchester (1st ed.). Washington DC: Combat Forces. pp. 158–159.
 
I think the key words in that quote is "skilled at trap shooting".

I can't really see this working since a clay is designed to have some aerodynamic properties, and is being thrown away from you, whereas a 'potato masher' has the flight characteristics of a sack of potatos, and its kind of hard to hit an object mid-flight with centre of gravity thats nowhere near the centre of the object.

Wouldn't it make more sense to just pepper the Jerries once they popped their head over the top of the trench. I think an 1897 has a far greater reach than the human arm throwing a potato masher.

Nonetheless, very interesting information!
 
a clay is designed to have some aerodynamic properties, and is being thrown away from you, whereas a 'potato masher' has the flight characteristics of a sack of potatos,
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You ever try to shoot pigeons? They have the flight characteristics of a bobbing, weaving, dodging fighter plane. Someone skilled with a shotgun is going to be able to hit nearly anything moving through the air. It just takes a bit of understanding of how that thing is likely to continue travelling.
 
Suputin said:
You ever try to shoot pigeons? They have the flight characteristics of a bobbing, weaving, dodging fighter plane. Someone skilled with a shotgun is going to be able to hit nearly anything moving through the air. It just takes a bit of understanding of how that thing is likely to continue travelling.
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Regardless whether a decent success rate is possible, wouldn't the biggest challenge be staying in full concentration for so long? I just don't think it's possible to compare a battlefield with a hunting or trap shooting scenario....

I presume shifts between "grenade swatters" would be taken, but I honestly don't see that as being an incredibly effective use of resources and manpower. Especially if they are that good, I might add!

Cheers,
Sand
 
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