Universal Rifle Rack pictures

[Joe]

There's a chance that I've found one of the Universal Rifle Racks, hopefully WITH the canvas sack. I know these date from the same time frame as the M37 but I've never seen a photo of one mounted in a M37. Anybody got any photos or any details about how they were usually mounted? Got my '"52 SA" marked Garand already!

[mike_l]

Joe,

Haven't seen any photos of them actually mounted in the trucks yet either. There is a '67 dated TB that shows the two-piece of modern design mounted just right of the transmission hump. The only URB-specific references that I know of are the WWII era ('43 dtd) TB which shows the bracket mounted just inside the left door of the WWII Dodge 3/4 tons against the dash; a '59 dtd TB but I have not been able to find a copy of it anywhere; and a '64 dtd PS Magazine (Issue 145) that references the '59 TB and illustrates a vehicle cab (M37 or M35?) with the URBs mounted at the rear, between the seats and door pillar. I haven't actually tried to set mine there yet to see if it fits or not but I reckon it will be tight if it does.

Previously, I read some say they didn't have the brackets and just placed their rifles/carbines in the straps of the back window or back in the corners of the cab.

[Joe]

Thanks Mike. I've also seen the '67 TB with the new style racks. I'll look for those other pubs that you mentioned. Do you know the names or numbers of the '43 and '59 TBs? I was wondering if the older style were ever mounted horizontally under the windshield like they were in the Jeeps or maybe vertically and to the right of the hump like the later style mounts were or if they were mounted in other locations.

It's interesting to note that the Universal Rifle Rack was designed to fit the Garand, Carbine, BAR, Thompson SMG and 1903 Springfields but AFIK none of those were ever officially issued to drivers except the carbine! Anybody know of any drivers were actually issued anything other that a carbine? I know the carbine was developed with the intention of issuing it to non-combat personnel such as cooks and drivers but we all know that many of those ended up in the hands of front line troops and normal combat weapons such as Springfields and Garands ended up in the hands of non-combat troops. Then add in the eclectic collection of BARS, Thompson SMGs, Burp guns, STENS, and anything else that the GIs could get their hands on and anything was possible!

[cuz]

Here's a late model gun mount installed.



This universal WWII bracket would take up a lot of space.

[mike_l]

Joe,

The 1943 pub is TB ORD 163, titled Mounting Universal Rifle Bracket. I think there are reprints of it available from several places. There is also a 1944 supplement to it but it is only a modification to the bracket to hold the M3 SMG and nothing on vehicle placement.

The 1959 and 1967 pubs are both TB 9-2300-209-20. The title on the '67 edition is Stowage Locations for Rifle Bracket Assembly 2590-045-9611 on Trucks, 3/4 Ton 4x4 M37, M37B1, M201, M201B1, ...2 1/2 Ton.....5 Ton.... It may the the same title on the June 1959 edition but with a different FSN (2590-505-6736).

There would not have been any room under the windshield to mount a bracket so it would have had to have been placed vertically on the floor somewhere. Even in the '43 pub, the bracket looks in the way of the WC dash's left side and entering/exiting the vehicle. As Cuz pointed out, it is a bulky assembly and there isn't a lot of cab space to put the bracket. The outboard dash area, as in the WWII WC, seems like it would interfere with the engine primer (if equipped), the windshield latch, and make it near impossible to get in or out; right of the transmission hump, as in the late style, seems OK but you would still need the spacer bracket on the dash to allow for the defroster duct; the cab rear corners, as shown in the PS Mag, seem feasible since they are out of the way of the controls. The last option seems the most likely if they fit the corners. The PS Mag illustration doesn't have enough detail to differentiate whether it is a deuce or a M37 cab but I would expect they are similar enough that if it works in one, it would work in the other. I should get off my butt, take a URB out and set it in the truck to see if it works. The cab corner is the spot I favor. I still want to see the '59 TB.

I'll try to check the fit today or tomorrow and post a note later.

[T. Highway]

Will the late model mount work with the heater ductwork in place? It's hard to tell from that picture.

[mike_l]

T.,

Yes, the bracket that is fabricated per the TB will set the upper clamps/catches out enough to clear the defroster duct mounted against the dash.

[mike_l]

I posted a few photos in my album. The URB fit the driver's corner but did not set square against the back of the cab corner. I would think that there may need to be a spacer or bracket fitted to allow a solid mount. If bolted to the floor and one bolt near the top, even if not square, should work well enough. I did not physically check the passenger's side but expect it would be the same fit.

Photo 1: Shows URB w/case extending above the cab body. The zipper is zipped to show full length of case. http://www.g741.org/photogallery/main.p ... temId=6691

Photo 2: Shows the bottom of the URB. The clearance looks tight between the seat and cab. I did not have a weapon in the bracket for these photos but if I get time, I may go back out to see what kind of clearance exists to put a rifle in and remove it. http://www.g741.org/photogallery/main.p ... temId=6694

Photo 3: Shows the top of the URB. Again, shows how much extends above the cab, the zipper is open to show the actual bracket. http://www.g741.org/photogallery/main.p ... temId=6697

Next time out, I'll set the URB in the other spots, outer corner of dash and right of tranny hump, to see how it fits as well as put a rifle in it to see how easy it is to use.