"Bling" Question - Jeep Scabbard

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:53 am

So I got a leather jeep scabbard - early gift - for my jeep and wanted to know if anyone has used one, seen it on a jeep (WWII or Korean War), how they've seen it attached, and what historical use they really have.
I've found that it's awkward carrying my M1 in my jeep unless it's lying in the back as I do not have the plastic jeep scabbard that gets attached to the windshield.
Thanks.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:25 am

The correct rifle carrier is metal. The later 60's & up floor and dash mount are nicer, less obtrusive and handier as well. They mount the rifle butt first on the floor and latch the barrel to the dash. I've seen various improvised old leather mountings.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:28 am

Josh,
Mine came with the steel rack. MWM makes the mounting brackets and WeeBee has a kit to repair the rotten canvas pads inside.

I saw one on e-bay a while back it was kinda spendy.
I found the e-bay listing. looks like it sold for$168 + shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willys-Jeep-MB- ... cd&vxp=mtr
Show us your leather one-gotta be a slick way to mount it. The only drawback i can see to leather is it attracts/absorbs moisture. I never leave a pistol in a leather holster.

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:55 am

Yeah, I saw those for the M38 from MWM. But the last time I checked they were sold out and unsure of when they would be restocked.
They used the leather one's in WWII though, right?

Post by **wesk** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:30 pm

They used both during WWII. The metal came stock.

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 3:33 pm

Gotcha. If I find a metal one for the windshield at a reasonable price I may pick it up but in the meantime I may use the scabbard as well, at least to keep the M1 secured in the jeep.
Are there any historical pictures of both kinds I could look at? I haven't done a recent hunt-and-peck through the historical photos uploaded here.
Thanks.

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:57 pm

The leather scabbard on WW2 jeeps most commonly was attached with the leather straps through the windshield and the "nose" sat on the drivers step behind the shovel on the drivers side. Your M1 Garand was at the ready that way. Hopefully we get to keep them in the future.

John

timjuhl · Post by **timjuhl** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 7:51 pm

I've seen a number of WWII Jeeps at the Oshkosh (Airventure) re-enactors encampment with leather scabbards. The top straps are typically attached to the left hand mirror base. That way it didn't interfere with folding the windshield down. The Jeeps I saw had scabbards for Thompson's, M1's and M1 Carbines. FWIW - the same scabbards might have been used by motorcycle troops and mounted cavalry during and before WWII.

Tim

Post by **wesk** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 7:53 pm

Hopefully we get to keep them in the future. John

John,
The best way to insure you can keep them the next four years is to make sure you are the only guy that knows you have them.

whydahdvr · Post by **whydahdvr** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 7:12 am

Wes, unfortunately so true. Look at what has happened in Ireland, Scotland, and Britain with their gun laws. Ridiculous. Leaves the public completely at risk - no real risk mitigation.
Thanks for pics and info. The scabbard definitely looks like it was designed for the motorcycle corps and mounted cav units.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:56 am

Look at what has happened in Ireland, Scotland, and Britain with their gun laws.

Don't forget Australia!

The scabbard definitely looks like it was designed for the motorcycle corps and mounted cav units.

It was.

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 9:23 am

Found this photo from Military Vehicles magazine - MB-GPW's in Korea loaded down with all kinds of baggage and equipment. I don't see any scabbards (that was a WWII thing) but there is a BAR leaning against the dash of the nearest jeep. The scabbards were cavalry issue meant for use with mounted troops. Since the jeep repaced the horse for scouting I can see where soldiers took along any usefull item to equip their new mounts. Of note in the photo is that every jeep's windshield is folded flat as was the practice in combat zones. A windshield-mounted rifle holder would have hindered getting to the weapon quickly. As to the M38, I am not sure but I don't think it was used extensively in combat anywhere. Certainly not like these MB-GPW's or the later M38A1's and M151's in Vietnam. Real jeeps, real men.

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:20 am

Of note in the photo is that every jeep's windshield is folded flat as was the practice in combat zones. A windshield-mounted rifle holder would have hindered getting to the weapon quickly.

Don't forget that the WW2 jeep has the carbine holder mounted "upside down" (compared to the M38), so it would be in easy reach of the driver when the windshield was folded down. Must've been a pain when the windshield was up though.

Owen.

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:49 am

Good point Evan. The metal rifle holder on my M38 will work with a Garand, M1 carbine or a Thompson but it faces up so when the windshield is folded it faces forward. I wonder why the military switched mounting methods?

Post by **wesk** » Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:57 am

I would not rule out leather scabards in Korea circa 1950 thru 53 based on one photo. I am sure there were a few.

However a lot of metal scabards were there: